Here Is Our Education discussion

If you've got something negative to say about frum society, do it here AND ONLY here. Thanks.

its not anything negative but is is a criticism. frum kids need to be taught what is out there. evolution, age of the universe, big bang, etc. If the parents don't reveal the different ideas that are circulating in the secular world this may challenge their emunah later on, they may chas v'shalom drop the entire religion.

It's hard to know. I read George's Secret Key to the Universe to my kids when they were younger, and we followed up with an IMAX film on black holes. My oldest has read a fair bit on ornithology, which takes the view that birds are the most direct descendants of dinosaurs. And he's my kid at risk. Those who oppose secular education would say I reaped the seeds I planted.

wow. interesting...*sigh* its not easy today is it. its a fine line of what to expose and when. not sure how im going to do it. my only comment is i think its foolish to think that he wouldnt have come across these ideas later in life. its a ticking time bomb in my opinion. i dont have kids of my own yet, but i think i owe it to them to paint an accurate picture of what is going in the world in general and where we stand in relation to that picture.

Ah. I didn't realize you were so young. But since you're a grad student, I guess it stands to reason.

Kressel, has he read any of Rabbi Slifkin's books, particularly The Challenge of Creation? Contrary to the opinion of some charedim, it is quite possible to 100% believe both that Hashem Yisborach created the universe, and that it is more than 6000 years old.

Rabbi Slifkins books are amazing!!! Just finished Sacred Monsters. amazing book!!!! highly recommend. i love how he juxtaposes all possible views on the subject in practically every chapter. he accepts all possible viewpoints as kosher and simply presents the material in an unbiased lucid manner. He allows his readers to draw conclusions for themselves. very well researched, very thorough analysis of many monsters found throughout the Talmud.

Rivka that is definitely next on my list.

Sacred Monsters: Mysterious and Mythical Creatures of Scripture, Talmud and Midrash

I have copies of almost all his books. (Challenge of Creation had an earlier, somewhat different version, and I don't believe I have a copy of that. Oh, and he published one a couple years ago that I don't have.) Some are signed.

He is a great speaker, I often enjoy his blog posts, and his books are very good.

I haven't read either of those, but I'm adding them right now.