Mechanech Writes: There’s a Heavier Price to the Chidon

By a mechanech

Let’s get realistic. Children only have so much learning capacity / focus / interest.

There’s no such thing as creating an exciting and consuming program, without compromising on the children’s other studies.

Some might argue that Chidon is more important than Mishnayos and Gemara, this is obviously something I think many (myself included) would disagree with, but at least it’s a straightforward discussion – “what’s more important?”

However, saying that the flashy and exciting Chidon does not detract from the basic learning in yeshivas, is merely wishful thinking.

Being involved in chinuch myself, I have had opportunity to conduct many a candid conversation with fellow melamdim (and menahalim), and can attest that an overwhelming majority of mechanchim I spoke with agree that Chidon does in fact detract from acquiring the most important thing school has to offer – LEARNING SKILLS.

This is specifically potent when it comes to boys in grades 4-8, as in these grades they learn (how to learn) Gemara.

To be clear, acquiring Gemara skills includes learning a new language (as well as lingo). This is much easier (and effective) when done at a young age.

Additionally, Gemara skills include: method of analysis, manner of debate, and mode of thought. These are all skills ingrained best at a young age.

Focus on Gemara skills at the formative cheder age is therefore crucial for a child’s future success in yeshiva, and as a frum yid who has (and should have) a steady kvius in Gemara.

As the Tsemach Tzedek writes in a letter (printed in ספר החקירה page 469 and בית רבי page 360) to those who wanted to place the focus of learning with the children in cheder on Mishnayos and Rambam:

“We need, and must, teach children Gemara … Without this, the children will understand nothing … it is also well known that one who has not become fluent with Gemara in his youth, even if he is fluent in Mishnayos and Rambam, will not afterwards become sufficiently capable of learning Gemara…”

Yet, as a number of Mesivta hanhala have described to me in frustration, some boys come in thinking that they know “kol hatorah kula”, whilst in fact they cannot even read and translate the most basic line of Gemara bifnim.

This realization is a major blow to the kids, and the yeshivas have to try so much harder to motivate them to master (at this later and more difficult stage) the skills necessary to learn the “boring” Gemara.

This is a sad reality that our yeshivas have to deal with.

This is an “all hands on deck” issue. It’s a crisis. Boys have to become independent Gemara learners by their early teens.

This is not only objectively important as a value, but it is also strategically the smartest way to ensure many productive (and therefore healthy) years in mesivta, zal and beyond.

It’s really time for us mechanchim to unite on this, and as we double our efforts in teaching kids the nuanced skills of mastering the fine art called learning Gemara bifnim; we ask of all outside influences: please respect our Shlichus.

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