The Kinyan Torah Project:
A Journey of Growth, Reflection, and Action for the Days of Sefirat Ha'omer
Benjy Forester, 5780
**(TLDR: I'll send a daily email between Pesach-Shavuot, each day focusing on one item from the list at the bottom. There will be a brief interpretation of the day's topic, some questions for reflection, and a prompt to make that topic into a practice for that day. The daily posts will be shorter than this introduction!)**
Background:
Last year, I had the privilege of visiting Rabbi Bill Lebeau in his office at JTS, where I was beginning my studies as a rabbinical student. Rabbi Lebeau was probably the most influential rabbi in my dad’s life growing up, when he was the rabbi at Beth El in Highland Park, IL, and Rabbi Lebeau officiated at my parents’ wedding. Rabbi Lebeau is passionate about the role of the rabbi to lead and inspire, and learning with him was a gift that I will always cherish.
During my many visits, we sat and learned just one mishnah together, taking our time and going back over what we had already learned. This mishnah is from the last perek of Pirkei Avot and is called Kinyan Torah or “The acquisition of Torah.”
This Mishnah (Pirkei Avot 6:6) offers a long list of 48 items by which Torah is ‘acquired.’ The author/s of this anonymous Mishnah clearly have in mind a serious student of Torah, and they outline the traits and habits that make that individual capable and worthy of receiving the gift of Torah. Many items on the list include ways of relating to teachers and students, and how to make one's learning experience most meaningful.
However, the text of the Torah makes clear that Torah is intended for all, regardless of gender, age, or socioeconomic status. Not only was the delivery of Torah meant for everyone who stood at Sinai, but God insists, "I make this covenant, with its sanctions, not with you alone, but both with those who are standing here with us this day before the LORD our God and with those who are not with us here this day" (Deuteronomy 29:13-14). ALL Jews are included, even those not physically present. The Talmud takes this further and declares that this proves that all future Jews, both those born into the tradition and those who join by choice, indeed all stood together at Sinai as one unit unconstrained by limits of space or time (BT Shevuot 39a).
I believe that Kinyan Torah as a practice of self-reflection and self-work can offer wisdom to all of us.
I believe that Kinyan Torah as a practice of self-reflection and self-work can offer wisdom to all of us.
The Kinyan Torah Project:
The period between Pesach and Shavuot is traditionally a time for Torah study. Our Mishnah of Kinyan Torah outlines the path towards receiving the Torah, and I couldn't think of a more appropriate thing to study in our journey to Shavuot, which celebrates our receiving the Torah. There are 49 days of the Omer and 48 items in the Mishnah, so I envision everyday being a chance to focus on a different item in the list, with one day for reflection at the end. No matter your learning or religious background, and regardless of your current practices, I want to use this Mishnah as a framework through which we can all find depth and connection in our lives. I want this Mishnah to be accessible to all.
My intention is not to offer this Mishnah as a clear instruction manual, because true study involves reflection and critical thinking. Some items from this list might not resonate. Some items on this list might seem prohibitively challenging. Rather than feeling beholden to every item on the list, try using each day to open an internal exploration of that day's topic.
Living Our Learning:
I hope that each item on this list offers a new intention for each day of the Omer. I hope that people use each day as an opportunity for reflection, whether you do that through journaling, meditation, conversation, or some other way. But beyond reflection, I hope that people use each day as an opportunity to LIVE the value/attribute of the day. Pirkei Avot itself teaches, "It is not the study that is essential, but rather the action (1:17).” Think about that day's value/attribute throughout the day and make a concerted effort to integrate it into your life. Again, some will be easier or more resonant, but do the best you can!
Like with any new practice, it's important to start small and build from there. Which of these traits or actions do you want to take with you and integrate into your life? How can this Mishnah provide a roadmap for all parts of your life, including how you show up at work and how you relate to others in your life? The more you sit with and struggle with this practice, the more you will make it your own, and the more you will be able to integrate it into your life.
Final Notes:
Like any new project/routine, there will be challenges. Here are some tips:
- Make a commitment and stick to it. Will you journal two sentences after reading? Will you commit to checking in with yourself at the end of the day? Will you do a word association with each day's topic? Will you take 2 min, 10 min, or 30 min? ANY commitment is a terrific commitment, just try and hold yourself to it.
- It's ok if you fall off track! You don't even need to "catch up." Jump back in if you see a day that feels interesting. Developing a routine is good, but this is not an all-or-nothing project, and is not meant to feel like you're constantly chasing a train from behind.
- YOU are an active part of this. I am providing you with some framework and interpretation. Make this practice your own. And of course, give me feedback since I am developing/learning with you in real time!
We are all in this together. I am learning this and working on Kinyan Torah as an embodied practice right along with you!
Below, I will include the full list (most English translations borrowed from the Lev Shalem translation). Don't be intimidated. Remember, I want to make this list come to life for all of us. Try and find 2-3 items here that really intrigue you. Is this something you already work hard on and value? Is this something you've struggled with? Are you surprised to see this item? Let that intrigue serve as a brief introduction into this practice, and get excited for the day when we visit that idea!
There are a few versions of this Mishnah. I will be using the order and some of the interpretations that appear in Midrash Shmuel, a commentary on Pirkei Avot.
There are a few versions of this Mishnah. I will be using the order and some of the interpretations that appear in Midrash Shmuel, a commentary on Pirkei Avot.
- תַלְמוּד / study
- שְׁמִיעַת הָאֹזֶן / Listening carefully with one's ears
- עֲרִיכַת שְׂפָתַיִם / Speaking clearly with one's lips
- בּינַת הַלֵּב, שִׂכְלוּת הַלֵּב / Heartfelt understanding and heartfelt insight
- אֵימָה / Fear
- יִרְאָה / Reverence
- עֲנָוָה / Humility
- שִׂמְחָה / Joy
- שִׁמּוּשׁ חֲכָמִים / Serving sages/teachers/wise ones
- דִקְדּוּק חֲבֵרִים / Bonding with colleagues
- פִלְפּוּל הַתַּלְמִידִים / Argumentation with students
- יִשּׁוּב / Reconciliation
- מִּקְרָא, מִּשְׁנָה / Study of Torah and Mishnah
- טָהֳרָה / Purity(For items 15-20, we'll talk about balance, not about forced restraint and limitation)
- מִעוּט שֵׁינָה / Minimizing sleep
- מִעוּט שִׂיחָה / Minimizing conversation
- מִעוּט סְחוֹרָה / Minimizing business
- מִעוּט שְׂחוֹק / Minimizing frivolous small talk
- מִעוּט תַּעֲנוּג / Minimizing [physical] pleasure
- מִעוּט דֶּרֶךְ אֶרֶץ / Minimizing sexual activity
- אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם / Patience
- לֵב טוֹב / Goodheartedness
- אֱמוּנַת חֲכָמִים / Faith in sages/teachers/wise ones
- קַבָּלַת הַיִּסּוּרִין / Acceptance of suffering
- מַּכִּיר אֶת מְקוֹמוֹ / Knowing one's place
- שָּׂמֵחַ בְּחֶלְקוֹ / Being content with one's lot
- עוֹשֶׂה סְיָג לִדְבָרָיו / Making a fence around one's words
- אֵינוֹ מַחֲזִיק טוֹבָה לְעַצְמוֹ / Forgoing pride in oneself
- אָהוּב / Being loved
- אוֹהֵב אֶת הַמָּקוֹם Loving the Omnipresent
- אוֹהֵב אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת / Loving other people
- אוֹהֵב אֶת הַמֵּישָׁרִים / Loving decency
- אוֹהֵב אֶת הַתּוֹכָחוֹת / Loving [principled] rebuke
- מִתְרַחֵק מִן הַכָּבוֹד / Distancing oneself from honor
- לֹא מֵגִיס לִבּוֹ בְתַלְמוּדוֹ / Not being arrogant about one's learning
- אֵינוֹ שָׂמֵחַ בְּהוֹרָאָה / Not taking pleasure in judgment
- נוֹשֵׂא בְעֹל עִם חֲבֵרוֹ / Sharing another's burdens
- מַכְרִיעוֹ לְכַף זְכוּת / Giving another the benefit of the doubt
- מַעֲמִידוֹ עַל הָאֱמֶת / Drawing another to truth
- מַעֲמִידוֹ עַל הַשָּׁלוֹם / Drawing another to peace
- מִתְיַשֵּׁב לִבּוֹ בְתַלְמוּדוֹ / Reconciling [inconsistencies] in one's learning
- שׁוֹאֵל וּמֵשִׁיב / Asking [questions] and responding [to questions]
- שׁוֹמֵעַ וּמוֹסִיף / Hearing what has been said and then adding
- לּוֹמֵד עַל מְנָת לְלַמֵּד / Learning in order to teach
- לּוֹמֵד עַל מְנָת לַעֲשׂוֹת / Learning in order to do
- מַּחְכִּים אֶת רַבּוֹ / Adding to one's teacher's wisdom
- מְכַוֵּן אֶת שְׁמוּעָתוֹ / Citing others with precision
- אוֹמֵר דָּבָר בְּשֵׁם אוֹמְרוֹ / Saying things in the name of those who said them
