New Course Features Announced
Thanks to all of you that took your time to fill out our survey on the sample lesson.
To clarify: While the sample lesson shows the way we plan to teach the verses (p’sukim) with Rashi, there is significantly more that is going to be in the course.
Here is a partial list of what we are planning (NO PROMISES YET).
- A vocabulary list of the main words in the verses and Rashi that we covered in that lesson.
- A link to a 3rd-party product that will allow the students to speed up or slow down the videos.
- Archives of old lessons.
Did I forget anything? I probably did!
Are you excited about the course yet? WE ARE!
I found the lesson very interesting but felt it was for the more experienced student and for me I still try to figure out how to read Hebrew without the Vowels ( the dots, dash, and so on) but for the trained eye the lesson was very nice. Maybe a bit fast with the pronounce of the words but still so that you can make out how to do it. I liked the way how he unfolded the sentence starting with the verbs and objects I really love this site Hebrew are a very rare language to come across and for me that is learning it on my own this word a day and so on helps you to learn more everyday so thanks for the people making these sites to help us who can’t be helped ;):)
Hi Wayne,
Thank you for the feedback. You’re not to first to comment that it would better for you if the material was presented slower and clearer. And I am taking all of these comments into consideration.
Thanks,
Boruch Rappaport
You send me sample Torah lessons
And several emails and never mention there is a cost
For it. You get me filled with excitement and encouragement
That I will finally be able to study and learn Torah
Then you you inform me that you will be charging
For the lessons, well I’m sorry, but I’m unable
To pay for this. I wish I would of known in the
Beginning before I got my hopes up.
So I guess in today’s world, a Jewish person
No longer helps a fellow Jew unless they can profit
From it, it’s a shame I can’t even get help
Studying Talmud without paying . How very sad
I thought I finAlly in my 61st year I could learn
And study with a learned rebbe
But I once again am wrong. Your approach
To teaching is excellent, sorry I will not be able
To study further than the sample you sent
May Hashem bless you
Rav Nate Acks
I’ve heard it said before, ‘there are no free lunches’. Everyone has bills to pay and deadlines to meet. Unfortunately this is the way of the world. Even though there is a cost, the teacher is worthy of his hire. These lessons take hours and hours to prepare. We’re not paying for ‘the word’ but we’re paying for a Rabbi’s time and energy. It’s only right. I have no problem with this. Of course if I don’t have the money then I will not complaint to the Rabbi but I will pray to Hashem and He will find a way for me to learn Torah. b”h Shlomo
“So I guess in today’s world, a Jewish person no longer helps a fellow Jew unless they can profit from it.”
Thank you Rav Acks for your feedback, and I understand how you feel. And I wish that I had the ability to give up my time for others without the discomfort of receiving payment for it. I actually did that for several decades, when I gave up some 25 years to sit in Kollel to learn and to teach only receiving a Kollel stipend which didn’t even cover the rent never mind food. But I just can’t do such projects anymore. I budgeted 50 hours a month for these lessons, and it will be a kind of a miracle if I can reign in my hours not to go overboard more than the budget.
Also, I am setting the price to be affordable by most people. I myself have paid way more then what I am charging in order to bring in tutors for my children when needed, and I myself have received as such when I was asked to tutor other people. And even though this course will not be exactly the same as private tutoring, still, you may ask questions on the material, and I will try to give you my personalized attention in answering.
This is part of the reason that the group has to be limited, because in order to give quality attention, I need to have a limit on the number of people firing questions at me all day long.
Another point: I chose the model of receiving payment from the students in order to maximize the quality FOR YOU. I could have made these lessons part of so-and-so’s site, and receive funding from so-and-so’s contributors, but then human nature is such that my main feeling of obligation will be to the person who is funding me, and only secondarily to the student. But if I accept payment from the student, I know that if a student is not satisfied, I run the risk of his dropping out.
I say, and I think that many others will say after we launch, that the quality learning what we have here vis-a-vis the low price, is a real “no-brainer”. It is not necessarily for everybody, you can see here on the page there are people who would love to partake but their Hebrew is just not up to par. It may not be for you because of different reasons.
I disagree with what you say in the quote at the beginning of this reply. Personally, I, and most everyone that I know, tries with all of their heart and soul to try to help others in those areas that they can, given the constraints of time and other resources.
Wishing you all the best in all that you do,
Boruch Rappaport
I LOVE YOUR STUFF…BUT IT IS A LITTLE TOO DETAILED ON COMMENTARIES AND NOT ENOUGH ON THE HEREW AND PRONOUNCIATION…THISIS PROBABLY BETTER FOR ISRAELS
THANKS FOR THE EXPOSURE!!!
Thank you, Loralee, for the visit and for your feedback.
Maybe your needs would be more suited in my colleague’s class:
http://torahonline.co.il/go/hebrewbible/ or
http://torahonline.co.il/go/weeklyhebrewclasses
All the best,
Boruch Rappaport
Like Wayne, I need to have a better understanding of Hebrew before studying the commentators. What confused me was the reference to Rashi without mention of the Babylonian Talmud. Please disregard my ignorance on Talmudic study, yet it had been my understanding that the Babylonian Talmud was the established standard. Allow me to reiterate my interest in these lessons, although I need to have the ability to read Hebrew fluently first, in order to learn.
Hi Ray,
Rashi indeed has a running commentary on the Babylonian Talmud, and the Babylonian Talmud is indeed the established standard (vis-a-vis the Talmud Yerushalmi).
But Rashi also has a running commentary on the Torah, Bible, Five Books of Moses (and the rest of the Bible).
This course will be in the Torah with Rashi’s commentary.
If indeed it works out that we will run a free trial, you can always try it out to see if your Hebrew is fluent enough.
Thank you for you visit and for your feedback,
Boruch Rappaport
You send me sample Torah lessons
And several emails and never mention there is a cost
For it. You get me filled with excitement and encouragement
That I will finally be able to study and learn Torah
Then you you inform me that you will be charging
For the lessons, well I’m sorry, but I’m unable
To pay for this. I wish I would of known in the
Beginning before I got my hopes up.
So I guess in today’s world, a Jewish person
No longer helps a fellow Jew unless they can profit
From it, it’s a shame I can’t even get help
Studying Talmud without paying . How very sad
I thought I finAlly in my 61st year I could learn
And study with a learned rebbe
But I once again am wrong. Your approach
To teaching is excellent, sorry I will not be able
To study further than the sample you sent
May Hashem bless you
Rav Nate Acks
Rav Acks, I replied to your first comment above, RBR
Do you understand Chinese? Can I speak in Chinese? :）I’m so happy that you care me, and I can know more about the amazing language, and
I can be closer to MY GOD. And thank you verrry much! :）
The focus of my question was to ask if I should call you “Hi Zhang” or “Hi Ru” or “Hi ZhangRu” or maybe “Hi RuZhang”. :)
Can I speak Chinese? Not yet!
RBR
Shalom,
I did learn ivrit, but I stopped it,because it borred me.
I did it alone, I can’t praxis it.
ivrit ist not so dificult, it need praxis.
I’am interest to learn ivrit direct on board,in Israel.
Would you please give me an information about ivrit school in Israel for 6Monts, but in cheap prize.
Toda raba, metha madethen
Shalom Metha,
I’m not sure what you mean by “direct on board” in Israel. If you mean “online”, well I work together with Seth Young, and I would recommend his course, http://torahonline.co.il/go/weeklyhebrewclasses/
But if you mean a live class, in a classroom, let me know and I’ll look in to it for you.
Best,
Boruch Rappaport
This was too difficult for me. I need to start with just Chumash with no commentaries and once I am confident with my hebrew comprehension of Chumash, then learn Rashi with Rashi script. I think they should be two courses, its far too difficult to do both at once from my view.
Hi Avigael,
Thank you for the visit and for the feedback. For Chumash without commentators, just the Hebrew, I would recommend Seth Young’s course at http://torahonline.co.il/go/hebrewbible/
All the best,
Boruch Rappaport
I signed up for this because I am interested, but then – as you know – it has since then been raining rockets over Israel, and I haven’t had time to check out the first lesson.
Just now – one person seriously injured by a rocket. Up until now – no one. 500 rockets and no casualties.
Somebody is protecting us for sure.
I find it hard to focus. My son lives in Tel Aviv, and he spends a lot of time in the shelter at the moment.
I have friends all over Israel.
We live in Haifa, and nothing bad has happened here, yet. But I think of all the people in Israel at the moment.
Tomorrow, I’ll take a look at the first lesson.
Shalom Malka,
I’m sorry for the delay in answering. We went live on Thursday, and bombs are also falling here in Jerusalem. I don’t mean it that as an excuse, but it’s an additional headache.
My children live mostly in Beitar and Beit Shemesh, so I know how you feel.
Like I said, we went live on Thursday, we have a special ending tomorrow, Sunday, for those who were on the list. If you want to get in, this is the time.
Shavua Tov, and all the best in all of your endeavors,
Boruch Rappaport
I think it is very good to study the torah on line, mainly because it is a study on original language, that is to say, in the language wherein it was written. I hope to to be understood.
Hi Paulo,
I understand you very well, and I agree with every word.
All the best,
Boruch Rappaport
Hebrew language is our own and with this I would be happy to speak and write Hebrew. Peace be upon the “HOLY LAND”.
Hi Francis,
Thank you very much for your feedback. We are all hoping for peace here in the Holy Land.
All the best,
Boruch Rappaport
Rav, muchas gracias por tomar en cuenta mi interés (muy sincero y ya de tiempo)por comprender Torah…
Me resulta muy difícil calificar su clase-demostración porque soy mexicana y me falta una mejor comprensión del inglés para embarcarme en un estudio en este idioma.
Anteriormente le he asegurado que cuando Ud disponga de un curso dictado en español voy a unirme a su escuela.
Shalom Rabbi. mcarmen
Hi Carmen,
Thank you very much for being in contact, I had your words translated for me.
I wish you well in all that you do.
Sincerely,
Boruch Rappaport
I found it too advanced for me. I know the alphabet(kindergarten level). I found the lesson fascinating,(deeply awed) because I am interested in learning the different scripts, the styles;cursive ect.I love being still and practicing the writing of the letters, because it is a time consuming(all consuming God) & meditative experience; as the Lord’s eyes are upon his child(me) and I can feel His presence,as I focus.
I need to solidify the basics first; like: how many types of pronunciations there are & stlyes before moving on. I have a deep respect and reverence for this language and the Israel people.I will try the free trial and go from there.Thank you, Seth for giving me the opportunity to try this out. You know I’ve been wanting to take the “easy course” for over two years now, but have been financially strained.(Just the enemy’s way of keeping me from Hashems blessing)But, Our mighty God makes a way in the wilderness & opens up seas for his children, and fights for His kids when we put our faith in Him. He is much bigger than our enemy and desires to give us His blessings.