What prompts you to make positive choices in life?
What prompts you make negative choices in life?
When we make poor choices, does it affect how we behave the next time we are faced with a dilemma?
Through the study of the story of Cain and Abel, the 9th grade students reflected on their own motivations around these questions. Integrating the wisdom of Rashi, The Malbim (19th century commentator who lived in Russia) and a midrash from the 9th century CE, we have explored these questions through our reading of the biblical text.
All of these commentaries offer their own insights into human behavior, which we have studied and discussed in class in hevrutot (small groups) and in large classroom discussions.
We also read a section of a play by the famous playwright Arthur Miller that filled in the missing gaps in the biblical story and what actually led up to the first murder of another human being.
We agreed that reflecting on one's motives allows us to grow as young adults and brings us wisdom. We also discussed how this idea is part of the Jewish principle of Teshuva (change/repentance), which we can act upon daily.
Mr. Carmi
No comments:
Post a Comment