elie holzer - Bar-Ilan University (original) (raw)

Papers by elie holzer

Research paper thumbnail of Prolegomenon to an Exegetical-Spiritual Pedagogy for the Study of Sfat Emet's Homilies: The Case of 'Self-Trust'

Studies in Jewish Education, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Conceptions of study of Jewish texts Teachers' Professional Development

Religious Education, 2002

Research paper thumbnail of What Connects "Good" Teaching, Text Study and Hevruta Learning? A Conceptual Argument 1 "Good" Teaching, Text Study and Hevruta Learning

Journal of Jewish Education, 2006

TABLE 1. Important dispositions in both text study and hevruta learning

Research paper thumbnail of Ethical dispositions in text study: a conceptual argument

Journal of Moral Education, 2007

This article explores an opportunity for the cultivation of moral dispositions through the hermen... more This article explores an opportunity for the cultivation of moral dispositions through the hermeneutical activity performed by learners engaged in the study of texts. It seeks to direct teachers' attention to potential moral dimensions of the hermeneutical activity itself, an activity that might otherwise be perceived merely as a means to knowledge attainment. The paper discusses the nature of this hermeneutical activity drawing on the discipline of philosophical hermeneutics, especially on its concept of conversation between the learner and texts. Finally, it outlines a couple of challenges for teachers to explore as they engage students in this type of encounter with texts.

Research paper thumbnail of Philosophy of Religion and Jewish Teacher Education

Jewish Educational Thought, 2000

Research paper thumbnail of Existential vs. Hermeneutical Engagement with the Shoah: A reply to Ari Burzstein

Modes of Educational Translation,, 2008

Ari Burzstein provides us with a particular example of a limited but careful translation of a phi... more Ari Burzstein provides us with a particular example of a limited but careful translation of a philosophical idea for an educative purpose. In order to focus my discussion on the substance of the idea presented by Burzstein, I would like to lay out what I understand the structure of the argument to be. I will do so by using a slightly different terminology.

Research paper thumbnail of Listening to Significant Others in the Process of Text Interpretation: An Instance of Applied Hermeneutics

International Studies in Hermeneutics and Phenomenology, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of "Either a hevruta Partner or Death": A Critical View on the Interpersonal Dimensions of hevruta Learning Either a hevruta Partner or Death Journal of Jewish Education

Journal of Jewish Education , 2009

How might one perceive the role of his or her hevruta partner in the hevruta learning relationshi... more How might one perceive the role of his or her hevruta partner in the hevruta learning relationship? Drawing on recent developments in the scholarship of rabbinics, this article offers an interpretation of a Talmudic legend that discusses three forms of interpersonal relationships in hevruta learning. Rather then considering hevruta learning as a formal setting meant to serve the learner's own learning, this interpretation offers a dialogic view of hevruta learning in which the learner carries a responsibility for the learning of his or her hevruta partner as well. The article concludes by suggesting further considerations of the interpretation of Talmudic legends as a resource for Jewish education and of hevruta learning as a locus for moral education.

Research paper thumbnail of The Use of Military Force in the Religious Zionist Ideology of Rabbi Yitzhak Ya'akov Reines and His Successors

Studies in Contemporary Jewry, 2002

Reines. Overall, the positive attitude of R. Reines' successors toward military organization and ... more Reines. Overall, the positive attitude of R. Reines' successors toward military organization and self-defense initiatives (particularly in the 1930s and thereafter) were dictated by changing historical circumstances. Despite this, however, their disquisitions on the use of force were informed by R. Reines' basic ideological principles.

Research paper thumbnail of Learning to be Present: How Hevruta Learning Can Activate Teachers’ Relationships to Self, Other and Text

Journal of Jewish Education, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of The Concept of Second Naivete in the Thought of Ernst Simon and Paul Ricoeur

Languages and Literatures in Jewish Education, Studies in Honor of Michael Rosenak, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of Learning to Read Talmud: What It Looks Like and How It Happens

Learning to Read Talmud: What It Looks Like and How It Happens, 2018

book Review

Research paper thumbnail of Educational aspects of hermeneutical activity in text study

Modes of Educational Translation, Studies in Jewish Education, 2008

In the discourse of educational research attention is given to both general and specific educatio... more In the discourse of educational research attention is given to both general and specific educational goals relating to specific subject matter. In some educational approaches represented in Dewey's writings), the pedagogical aspects of teaching are also perceived as a focus of educational goals. 2 In such approaches, the radical dichotomy of means and ends 3 becomes blurred. No longer conceived exclusively as a means to the achievement of educational goals, pedagogy is also evaluated in its own right on the basis of its educational impact on the learner.

Research paper thumbnail of Allowing the biblical text to do its pedagogical work: connecting interpretative activity and moral education

The Journal of Moral Education, 2007

Drawing upon scholarly literary approaches to biblical narratives, this article offers both a the... more Drawing upon scholarly literary approaches to biblical narratives, this article offers both a
theoretical view and a method for teaching and learning which connect interpretative activity of
biblical narratives with moral education. The theoretical section of the article discusses the
pedagogical rather than propositional nature of biblical narratives and illustrates how the former is
mediated through calculated literary devices in the text. The article then attends to the experiential
nature of the interpretative dynamic between learner and text, with special attention to the
learner’s filling of literary gaps and the potential of this for moral education. The article concludes
with a discussion of the pedagogical rationales behind a method for teaching and learning designed
to engage the learner in an interpretative and reflective activity on biblical narratives, which holds
potential for effective moral education.

Research paper thumbnail of Welcoming Opposition: Havruta Learning and Montaigne’s The Art of Discussion

Journal of Moral Education, 2015

Michel de Montaigne’s L’art de Confe´rer offers a moral groundwork for students’ learning of havr... more Michel de Montaigne’s L’art de Confe´rer offers a moral groundwork for students’ learning of havruta,
a traditional Jewish form of studying in pairs, based on collaborative critical text-based learning, that
can be applied to students everywhere. The article attends to the nature of havruta learning and to
cultural norms that make it difficult for students to become open to their partners’ opposing ideas.
Students’ critical discussion of Montaigne’s essay is then conceptualized as a pedagogical tool for
cultivating the welcoming of opposing viewpoints and opening their own ideas to critical scrutiny in
text- and discussion-based learning. I draw on Wolfgang Iser’s theory of reading as bringing the
reader into deeper self-consciousness and calling into question implicit beliefs about the role of
opposing ideas. The article provides an analysis of Montaigne’s ideas and includes study questions to
help students adopt a more constructive attitude toward opposing views.

Research paper thumbnail of CHOOSING TO PUT OURSELVES “AT RISK” IN THE FACE OF ANCIENT TEXTS: ETHICAL EDUCATION THROUGH THE HERMENEUTIC ENCOUNTER

International Studies in Hermeneutics and Phenomenology, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Poetics of Exegisis in Sfat Emet's Homilies: Semantic Innovations for Discernment and Disclosure

Be-Ron Yahad: Studies in Jewish Thought and Theology in Honor of Nehemia Polen, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Allowing the biblical text to do its pedagogical work: connecting interpretative activity and moral education

Journal of Moral Education, 2007

Drawing upon scholarly literary approaches to biblical narratives, this article offers both a the... more Drawing upon scholarly literary approaches to biblical narratives, this article offers both a theoretical view and a method for teaching and learning which connect interpretative activity of biblical narratives with moral education. The theoretical section of the article discusses the pedagogical rather than propositional nature of biblical narratives and illustrates how the former is mediated through calculated literary devices in the text. The article then attends to the experiential nature of the interpretative dynamic between learner and text, with special attention to the learner's filling of literary gaps and the potential of this for moral education. The article concludes with a discussion of the pedagogical rationales behind a method for teaching and learning designed to engage the learner in an interpretative and reflective activity on biblical narratives, which holds potential for effective moral education.

Research paper thumbnail of Either a hevruta Partner or Death”: A Critical View on the Interpersonal Dimensions of hevruta Learning

Journal of Jewish Education, 2009

How might one perceive the role of his or her hevruta partner in the hevruta learning relationshi... more How might one perceive the role of his or her hevruta partner in
the hevruta learning relationship? Drawing on recent developments
in the scholarship of rabbinics, this article offers an
interpretation of a Talmudic legend that discusses three forms
of interpersonal relationships in hevruta learning. Rather then
considering hevruta learning as a formal setting meant to serve
the learner’s own learning, this interpretation offers a dialogic
view of hevruta learning in which the learner carries a responsibility
for the learning of his or her hevruta partner as
well. The article concludes by suggesting further considerations
of the interpretation of Talmudic legends as a resource for
Jewish education and of hevruta learning as a locus for moral
education.

Research paper thumbnail of Either a hevruta Partner or Death”: A Critical View on the Interpersonal Dimensions of hevruta Learning

Either a hevruta Partner or Death”: A Critical View on the Interpersonal Dimensions of hevruta Learning

Journal of Jewish Education, 2009

How might one perceive the role of his or her "hevruta" partner in the &quo... more How might one perceive the role of his or her "hevruta" partner in the "hevruta" learning relationship? Drawing on recent developments in the scholarship of rabbinics, this article offers an interpretation of a Talmudic legend that discusses three forms of interpersonal ...

Research paper thumbnail of Prolegomenon to an Exegetical-Spiritual Pedagogy for the Study of Sfat Emet's Homilies: The Case of 'Self-Trust'

Studies in Jewish Education, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Conceptions of study of Jewish texts Teachers' Professional Development

Religious Education, 2002

Research paper thumbnail of What Connects "Good" Teaching, Text Study and Hevruta Learning? A Conceptual Argument 1 "Good" Teaching, Text Study and Hevruta Learning

Journal of Jewish Education, 2006

TABLE 1. Important dispositions in both text study and hevruta learning

Research paper thumbnail of Ethical dispositions in text study: a conceptual argument

Journal of Moral Education, 2007

This article explores an opportunity for the cultivation of moral dispositions through the hermen... more This article explores an opportunity for the cultivation of moral dispositions through the hermeneutical activity performed by learners engaged in the study of texts. It seeks to direct teachers' attention to potential moral dimensions of the hermeneutical activity itself, an activity that might otherwise be perceived merely as a means to knowledge attainment. The paper discusses the nature of this hermeneutical activity drawing on the discipline of philosophical hermeneutics, especially on its concept of conversation between the learner and texts. Finally, it outlines a couple of challenges for teachers to explore as they engage students in this type of encounter with texts.

Research paper thumbnail of Philosophy of Religion and Jewish Teacher Education

Jewish Educational Thought, 2000

Research paper thumbnail of Existential vs. Hermeneutical Engagement with the Shoah: A reply to Ari Burzstein

Modes of Educational Translation,, 2008

Ari Burzstein provides us with a particular example of a limited but careful translation of a phi... more Ari Burzstein provides us with a particular example of a limited but careful translation of a philosophical idea for an educative purpose. In order to focus my discussion on the substance of the idea presented by Burzstein, I would like to lay out what I understand the structure of the argument to be. I will do so by using a slightly different terminology.

Research paper thumbnail of Listening to Significant Others in the Process of Text Interpretation: An Instance of Applied Hermeneutics

International Studies in Hermeneutics and Phenomenology, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of "Either a hevruta Partner or Death": A Critical View on the Interpersonal Dimensions of hevruta Learning Either a hevruta Partner or Death Journal of Jewish Education

Journal of Jewish Education , 2009

How might one perceive the role of his or her hevruta partner in the hevruta learning relationshi... more How might one perceive the role of his or her hevruta partner in the hevruta learning relationship? Drawing on recent developments in the scholarship of rabbinics, this article offers an interpretation of a Talmudic legend that discusses three forms of interpersonal relationships in hevruta learning. Rather then considering hevruta learning as a formal setting meant to serve the learner's own learning, this interpretation offers a dialogic view of hevruta learning in which the learner carries a responsibility for the learning of his or her hevruta partner as well. The article concludes by suggesting further considerations of the interpretation of Talmudic legends as a resource for Jewish education and of hevruta learning as a locus for moral education.

Research paper thumbnail of The Use of Military Force in the Religious Zionist Ideology of Rabbi Yitzhak Ya'akov Reines and His Successors

Studies in Contemporary Jewry, 2002

Reines. Overall, the positive attitude of R. Reines' successors toward military organization and ... more Reines. Overall, the positive attitude of R. Reines' successors toward military organization and self-defense initiatives (particularly in the 1930s and thereafter) were dictated by changing historical circumstances. Despite this, however, their disquisitions on the use of force were informed by R. Reines' basic ideological principles.

Research paper thumbnail of Learning to be Present: How Hevruta Learning Can Activate Teachers’ Relationships to Self, Other and Text

Journal of Jewish Education, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of The Concept of Second Naivete in the Thought of Ernst Simon and Paul Ricoeur

Languages and Literatures in Jewish Education, Studies in Honor of Michael Rosenak, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of Learning to Read Talmud: What It Looks Like and How It Happens

Learning to Read Talmud: What It Looks Like and How It Happens, 2018

book Review

Research paper thumbnail of Educational aspects of hermeneutical activity in text study

Modes of Educational Translation, Studies in Jewish Education, 2008

In the discourse of educational research attention is given to both general and specific educatio... more In the discourse of educational research attention is given to both general and specific educational goals relating to specific subject matter. In some educational approaches represented in Dewey's writings), the pedagogical aspects of teaching are also perceived as a focus of educational goals. 2 In such approaches, the radical dichotomy of means and ends 3 becomes blurred. No longer conceived exclusively as a means to the achievement of educational goals, pedagogy is also evaluated in its own right on the basis of its educational impact on the learner.

Research paper thumbnail of Allowing the biblical text to do its pedagogical work: connecting interpretative activity and moral education

The Journal of Moral Education, 2007

Drawing upon scholarly literary approaches to biblical narratives, this article offers both a the... more Drawing upon scholarly literary approaches to biblical narratives, this article offers both a
theoretical view and a method for teaching and learning which connect interpretative activity of
biblical narratives with moral education. The theoretical section of the article discusses the
pedagogical rather than propositional nature of biblical narratives and illustrates how the former is
mediated through calculated literary devices in the text. The article then attends to the experiential
nature of the interpretative dynamic between learner and text, with special attention to the
learner’s filling of literary gaps and the potential of this for moral education. The article concludes
with a discussion of the pedagogical rationales behind a method for teaching and learning designed
to engage the learner in an interpretative and reflective activity on biblical narratives, which holds
potential for effective moral education.

Research paper thumbnail of Welcoming Opposition: Havruta Learning and Montaigne’s The Art of Discussion

Journal of Moral Education, 2015

Michel de Montaigne’s L’art de Confe´rer offers a moral groundwork for students’ learning of havr... more Michel de Montaigne’s L’art de Confe´rer offers a moral groundwork for students’ learning of havruta,
a traditional Jewish form of studying in pairs, based on collaborative critical text-based learning, that
can be applied to students everywhere. The article attends to the nature of havruta learning and to
cultural norms that make it difficult for students to become open to their partners’ opposing ideas.
Students’ critical discussion of Montaigne’s essay is then conceptualized as a pedagogical tool for
cultivating the welcoming of opposing viewpoints and opening their own ideas to critical scrutiny in
text- and discussion-based learning. I draw on Wolfgang Iser’s theory of reading as bringing the
reader into deeper self-consciousness and calling into question implicit beliefs about the role of
opposing ideas. The article provides an analysis of Montaigne’s ideas and includes study questions to
help students adopt a more constructive attitude toward opposing views.

Research paper thumbnail of CHOOSING TO PUT OURSELVES “AT RISK” IN THE FACE OF ANCIENT TEXTS: ETHICAL EDUCATION THROUGH THE HERMENEUTIC ENCOUNTER

International Studies in Hermeneutics and Phenomenology, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Poetics of Exegisis in Sfat Emet's Homilies: Semantic Innovations for Discernment and Disclosure

Be-Ron Yahad: Studies in Jewish Thought and Theology in Honor of Nehemia Polen, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Allowing the biblical text to do its pedagogical work: connecting interpretative activity and moral education

Journal of Moral Education, 2007

Drawing upon scholarly literary approaches to biblical narratives, this article offers both a the... more Drawing upon scholarly literary approaches to biblical narratives, this article offers both a theoretical view and a method for teaching and learning which connect interpretative activity of biblical narratives with moral education. The theoretical section of the article discusses the pedagogical rather than propositional nature of biblical narratives and illustrates how the former is mediated through calculated literary devices in the text. The article then attends to the experiential nature of the interpretative dynamic between learner and text, with special attention to the learner's filling of literary gaps and the potential of this for moral education. The article concludes with a discussion of the pedagogical rationales behind a method for teaching and learning designed to engage the learner in an interpretative and reflective activity on biblical narratives, which holds potential for effective moral education.

Research paper thumbnail of Either a hevruta Partner or Death”: A Critical View on the Interpersonal Dimensions of hevruta Learning

Journal of Jewish Education, 2009

How might one perceive the role of his or her hevruta partner in the hevruta learning relationshi... more How might one perceive the role of his or her hevruta partner in
the hevruta learning relationship? Drawing on recent developments
in the scholarship of rabbinics, this article offers an
interpretation of a Talmudic legend that discusses three forms
of interpersonal relationships in hevruta learning. Rather then
considering hevruta learning as a formal setting meant to serve
the learner’s own learning, this interpretation offers a dialogic
view of hevruta learning in which the learner carries a responsibility
for the learning of his or her hevruta partner as
well. The article concludes by suggesting further considerations
of the interpretation of Talmudic legends as a resource for
Jewish education and of hevruta learning as a locus for moral
education.

Research paper thumbnail of Either a hevruta Partner or Death”: A Critical View on the Interpersonal Dimensions of hevruta Learning

Either a hevruta Partner or Death”: A Critical View on the Interpersonal Dimensions of hevruta Learning

Journal of Jewish Education, 2009

How might one perceive the role of his or her "hevruta" partner in the &quo... more How might one perceive the role of his or her "hevruta" partner in the "hevruta" learning relationship? Drawing on recent developments in the scholarship of rabbinics, this article offers an interpretation of a Talmudic legend that discusses three forms of interpersonal ...