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One of my interests is ancient pediatrics/neonatology, especially as related to religious writings. A long time ago I helped write a book about this and related topics that sold about 5 copies (thanks mom!). I thought I'd post a piece on the theme here. I've put more up if your interested in the neo forum about ancient neonatology. To read that one, however, you have to REGISTER for SDN and then the neo forum. Takes about 30 seconds and no $$
But, this one is on the house...
The ancient Jewish rabbinic sages told a story about learning disabilities in this way in the Talmud. It isn't a simple story to follow, but it is a powerful one. A "mitzvah" is a commandment (e.g. eating kosher food). The Heavenly Voice refers to G-d.
Rabbi P'rida had a pupil whom he taught his lesson four hundred times before the latter could master it. One day it was requested that he participate in a mitzvah [after he taught this student]. He taught him [in the usual manner] but he [the student] could not grasp the lesson.
He [Rabbi P'rida] said to him, "What is the matter today?" The student said to [Rabbi P'rida], "From the moment the Master [Rabbi P'rida] was told that there was a religious matter to be attended to I could not concentrate my thoughts, for at every moment I imagined, now the Master will get up."
He [Rabbi P'rida] said [back] to him, "Give me your attention and I will teach you again", and so he taught him another four hundred times [until the student learned it].
A Bat Kol [a Heavenly Voice] issued forth asking him, "Do you prefer that four hundred years shall be added to your life or that you and your generation shall be privileged to have a share in the world to come?" He said, "That I and my generation shall be privileged to have a share in the world to come." The Holy One blessed be He said, "Give him both that [reward] and the other [reward]." (B. Eruvin 54b)
This passage can be seen as an ancient commentary on a condition we now refer to as "attention deficit disorder." It appears that the pupil in the story had trouble focusing on his lesson. The teacher gets his pupils attention and then proceeds to repeat the lesson until it is learned. For this patience the teacher is rewarded by God.
Of course, we don't expect the story to be literally a description of the event, but rather an exposition of the understanding of learning disorders and the importance of teaching a child at his/her own pace.
But, this one is on the house...
The ancient Jewish rabbinic sages told a story about learning disabilities in this way in the Talmud. It isn't a simple story to follow, but it is a powerful one. A "mitzvah" is a commandment (e.g. eating kosher food). The Heavenly Voice refers to G-d.
Rabbi P'rida had a pupil whom he taught his lesson four hundred times before the latter could master it. One day it was requested that he participate in a mitzvah [after he taught this student]. He taught him [in the usual manner] but he [the student] could not grasp the lesson.
He [Rabbi P'rida] said to him, "What is the matter today?" The student said to [Rabbi P'rida], "From the moment the Master [Rabbi P'rida] was told that there was a religious matter to be attended to I could not concentrate my thoughts, for at every moment I imagined, now the Master will get up."
He [Rabbi P'rida] said [back] to him, "Give me your attention and I will teach you again", and so he taught him another four hundred times [until the student learned it].
A Bat Kol [a Heavenly Voice] issued forth asking him, "Do you prefer that four hundred years shall be added to your life or that you and your generation shall be privileged to have a share in the world to come?" He said, "That I and my generation shall be privileged to have a share in the world to come." The Holy One blessed be He said, "Give him both that [reward] and the other [reward]." (B. Eruvin 54b)
This passage can be seen as an ancient commentary on a condition we now refer to as "attention deficit disorder." It appears that the pupil in the story had trouble focusing on his lesson. The teacher gets his pupils attention and then proceeds to repeat the lesson until it is learned. For this patience the teacher is rewarded by God.
Of course, we don't expect the story to be literally a description of the event, but rather an exposition of the understanding of learning disorders and the importance of teaching a child at his/her own pace.
