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From: Russell Hendel <rhendel@saber.towson.edu>
Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 12:48:44 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: The Artscroll Issue is an old controversy in Pedagogy

Chaiim Shapiro eloquently asks

>>>It bothers me that I went into a bookstore today to purchase the new
Meshichtah I am staring to find the Artscroll in ample supply, but not a
single copy of the standard edition.  And this is a popular Meshichtah
(Baba Metziha)!  It bothers to hear stories from yeshivot where the
entire Freshman class brought Artscroll gemorahs for the first day of
yeshiva, not the standard Gemorahs!

I have to wonder, have we, in a worthwhile and admirable attempt to open
Talmud study to all, decreased true scholarship?>>>

I **agree** with Chaims question but disagree on **what** it is asked.

Quite simply Chaim is asking the age old pedagogic question of BREADTH
vs DEPTH. Is it "better (pedagogically)" to study a small amount of
material but in depth vs studying a large amount of material with just
the simple meaning

This question is of course well founded. But it is NOT a question on
Artscroll but rather a question on pedagogy which has implications for
artscroll

(If it is not already clear I would encourage discussion of the question
with however a focus on WHAT yeshiva bachurim should be learning)

Russell Jay Hendel;Phd ASA
Moderator Rashi is Simple
http://www.RashiYomi.Com