Q&A: Studying Beyond the Required Subjects
Studying Beyond the Required Subjects
Question
To Rabbi Michael, greetings.
I saw not long ago on the site (though I haven’t managed to find it again now) a study program you had built for Midrashiyat Noam years ago.
I am a high-school student (just starting 12th grade), and I was very interested in the idea. I’ve already finished most of the required subjects and electives, so it turns out that I have a lot of free time, and I don’t want to waste it. Your model, admittedly, included much more than the required subjects. I assume you don’t remember after so many years (I myself forgot after a few weeks) — but I’d be glad to hear your thoughts: what is worth studying, and what is possible to cover independently in one year? Computer science, logic, general philosophy, academic mathematics, chemistry, general literature, Talmud, biblical criticism, linguistics, psychology… I’m not asking for an organized curriculum (it’s clear to me that isn’t practical), but I would appreciate areas of study or skills that in your view are important.
If it matters — the majors I did are physics, biology, chemistry, and Arabic; and my areas of interest are both scientific and humanistic.
(I saw in the responsa a similar question that you answered very thoughtfully — and it was helpful to me — but it dealt only with religious studies. I’m asking more generally.)
Thanks in advance, and in general for all your blessed work.
Discussion on Answer
Thank you very much.
How can / should one obtain the materials? That is, does this require organized academic courses (through the Open University), or is it possible to study with the help of the internet and books? And are there any introductory books that you recommend?
Forgive me for troubling you.
There are introductory books from the Open University. I’m not familiar with others. Whether you actually need to take the course itself depends on your learning abilities.
Everyone has different inclinations. In general, I’m in favor of studying introductions: to the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities. After that, you can focus based on your interests. Philosophy too has general value.