STUDY PARTNERS—Allen Feltcorn, 81, renews his acquaintance with Hebrew and Jewish study with Rabbi Moshe Wilhelm at Chabad of Oregon’s summer yeshiva. “I got away from everything for 50 years. I thought it was about time to get back,” said Feltcorn. Feltcorn said he was feeling very low when he was hospitalized for hip surgery last month shortly after his wife’s death. He said when Wilhelm walked into his room, “He gave me a big lift. I thought I should go get boosted some more.” Feltcorn, who uses a walker or electric scooter to get around, is studying three times a week during the yeshiva. After that, he plans to continue studying with Wilhelm in a program the rabbi has created for people with disabilities. Feltcorn comes to his study sessions on TriMet’s buses equipped with wheelchair lifts.
Locals explore yeshiva learning
By Jewish Review
article created on:
More than 35 Portlanders have signed up for nearly 200 learning sessions at the Oregon Yeshiva Experience being offered by Chabad of Oregon in conjunction with its summer yeshiva program that has brought 10 yeshiva students and teachers to Portland from across the country.
Many other locals have studied with the yeshiva students and teachers on a drop-in basis, said Chaim Wilhelm, who is coordinating Yeshiva Bais Medrash Latzeirim at Chabad’s Northwest Campus for Jewish Life Aug. 3-27.
Locals can sign up for havruta (partner) study one time, once a week or six days a week from 8-9 a.m. Monday-Friday; 6:45-7:30 p.m. and 8-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; or 9:30-11:30 a.m. Sundays through Aug. 27.
The yeshiva staff and students will help local students study any area of Judaic studies or Hebrew that they wish to learn more about. Topics include, but are not limited to, Hebrew reading, Jewish mysticism, Talmud, Torah with Rashi’s commentary, Pirke Avot (Ethics of Our Fathers) and Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish law). No previous knowledge is required to participate.
Participant David Phillips, a biochemistry student at Portland State University, said he is trying to come to the yeshiva four times a week.
“I’d go every day if I could,” he said. “You are learning stuff you couldn’t really learn by yourself. It’s about as serious as you are going to get for the price of free.”
Phillips said he has been studying Talmud or Tanya, a mystical, kabbalistic text. He said he finds the mysticism in Tanya very interesting and he believes it is “good to know the laws and reasoning” in the Talmud.
Each night between Mincha and Ma’ariv during the “Nine Days” until the holiday of tu b’av (1-15 Av), one of Portland’s local rabbis or visiting yeshiva students concluded a different tractate of Talmud. The first nine days of the Hebrew month of Av, culminating with the fast of Tisha b’Av, observed on the date when both Holy Temples were destroyed, are days of mourning. Though festivities are inappropriate for these days, the joy of mitzvah such as the participation in a siyum (completion) of a tractate of the Talmud, is permitted.
In addition to concluding Talmud tractate Bava Basra, Yehoshua Heshel Mishulovin concluded the tractates of Sukkah, Gittin and Shekalim during the week. An April 13, 2008, Chabad.org/news article about Mishulovin memorizing the entire Bava Basra noted that “Yehoshua Heshel Mishulovin ... took an additional challenge of memorizing the tractate’s super-commentaries of Rash and Tosafot. … Chief Rabbi of Montreal Yonason Binyomin Weiss, who rigorously tested Mishulovin for 45 minutes, remarked that he ‘should stand up for such a boy and show him proper respect.’”
To sign up for a study session at the yeshiva, call 503-977-9947 or register online at chabadoregon.com/yeshiva.
