Q&A: For Beginners
For Beginners
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I’m a young woman from a bourgeois Religious Zionist home.
I grew up in an educational environment that doesn’t demand much in terms of the breadth of Torah learning, especially for girls.
I feel that my Torah-Jewish education is lacking in a way that arouses shame in me.
Very soon I’ll be enlisting in the army for several years of service, and during that time it’s important to me to build broad knowledge that will give me halakhic tools for army routine, and a clear grasp of the world of thought, interpretation, and homiletics.
I would be happy for recommendations that I can integrate into my study routine, which will provide the knowledge I need and meet basic intellectual needs connected with the learning experience—which, I hope, will be done out of enjoyment and curiosity.
Answer
Hello, Israela Bourgenski. 🙂
I don’t have a shortcut to offer you. Someone who wants to accumulate systematic knowledge needs to go to a place that teaches it and invest effort in it. In my view, that’s highly recommended before entering army service, which puts before you some not-simple challenges. I suggest setting aside the question of interpretation and thought if we’re talking about a short period of time. There are books for halakhic preparation for army service, and you can use them on the technical level. But the main challenges in the army are not halakhic; they are matters of thought (coping with questions and arguments) and motivation.
If you have more specific questions, you’re welcome to ask, including during the service itself. Either way, it’s worthwhile to have an address for questions that come up.
Best of luck.
Discussion on Answer
What about going to a women’s seminary for a certain period before the service?
That’s what I wrote. That’s the most recommended option.
Thank you very much 🙏