Study Abroad or Talmudic Academy

One of the things I look forward to most while over here in Florence is, suprisingly, the lectures that are held monday through thursday from 10-12. It's an honor to be taught by a professor who is so well researched in his field. Ok, now that the ass kissing is over I'll start into the main theme of this blog. The notion of studying abroad is not something new. There are records dated all the way back to the end of the 15th century that show students traveling abroad to learn. One of these records show a proposal written to establish a Talmudic Academy in Southern Italy. After reading over this proposal in class, a correlation was established between the study abroad we are enrolled in and the Talmudic Academy propsal of the 15th century. I thought it was an interesting topic so I figure a blog can be a good way to express my interest. Anyways, on to the correlations.

Before signing up for this study abroad program I read a pamphlet about it pretty much stating that they are looking for students who are interested in studying abroad and also interested in being educated in Jewish Studies. Now here's an excerpt from the Draft Proposal to Establish a Talmudic Academy. "I request any of you to send your sons to me so that I may instruct each according to his intellectual ability." Granite that the Talmudic proposal is targeted at the parents instead of the student, (shown in the Jewish Studies pamphlet) the comparison is quite clear that both programs were looking for students who were willing to live away from home and learn. It's really interesting to see that the same thing that is going on today, happened in the 15th century. Another correlation that I made between the two is the preparation. Before coming to Italy we were told that we should read a certain book because it will be discussed in class. This was no different back in the 15th century. "Whoever wishes to come must be [sufficiently] prepared to be able to read the Talmud or at least R. Isaac [Alfasi's edited version of the Talmud on his own]. Wow! Look at that! Even in the 15th century the professors required reading before even entering the classroom. I guess some things never will change.