Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

To begin this year of Jewish learning, Year 5 have explored a text from the Mishnah, Prike Avot 4.1 and the questions asked by the sage Ben Zoma. His questions provoked interesting discussions and amazing ideas from the students, whose ideas are captured below. The depth, insights and sensitivity of the student responses are impressive.

Through this activity, students learnt the power of questioning and its key role in Jewish thinking and learning and the importance of listening to different ideas and interpretations. After sharing their own responses to Ben Zoma’s questions, students learnt Ben Zoma’s answers to his own questions and reflected on the wisdom of our tradition that gives everyone the potential to be wise, brave, rich and honoured. 

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