Minyan Meyuchad -- On Leading a Torah Discussion January 5, 2006

In our minyan, we seek to make the interwoven processes of teaching and learning Torah a shared enterprise. We construe the subject of Torah broadly. Typically, leaders begin by introducing their own thoughts in some way connected to that week’s parasha (Torah portion) and then open up the discussion to the group. In Pirkei Avot (3: 7) we find the statement, “Asarah she yoshvim v’oskim batorah, Shechinah shruyah b’naihem.” “When ten persons sit together and study Torah, the Shechinah (God’s warm immanent presence) rests upon them.” There is much to be learned through collective joint study.

In our discussions, we strive for respect for one another, trying to listen closely to what others say and moderating our own comments mindful of the needs both to share what we have to say and to give others the opportunity to share what they have to say.

Both first-time and experienced discussion leaders should know that there are many external resources to assist them. These include other minyan members and the Rabbi, the many fine books in B’nai Israel’s library, and a host of online materials. Two fine links are Rabbi Kaiman’s webpage www.shalomkaiman.com as well the resource page for leading a Torah discussion at Harvard Hillel’s Worship and Study Minyan found at http://64.78.11.207/pages.asp?catid=96&page_id=302.

But please don’t overlook the most important resource – what’s inside of you! The Baal Shem Tov told the story of the small child who, not knowing the formal prayers, simply recited the aleph-bet at the close of Yom Kippur services, and it was that child’s “aleph-bet” prayer (and not the lengthy prayers of the many learned elders) that opened the Gates of Heaven. The same is true of leading a Torah discussion. If you are new to it, do not be intimidated. The most important factor is not knowledge but sincerity.