If I ever thought I knew everything there was to know about my spouse, Torah and Talmud study forced me to toss that assumption out the window.

The proof came during our full-fledged Monday night classes this past spring, moving us toward an adult confirmation of 12 students at Temple B’nai Torah of Wantagh, N.Y., in Spring 2027.

The back story: Both my husband and I made it through Adult B’nai Mitzvahs in June 2022 with distinct personal objectives. His purpose had been to learn to read Hebrew and Torah for the first time ever, since his original Bar Mitzvah obligation at age 13 was limited to learning a Haftorah (referring to a reading from the Prophets, which follows the Torah reading).

My purpose? Even with a momentous Adult Bat Mitzvah when I was in my mid-20s, I hoped not to miss out, wanting to be a part of something greater, within the congregation and community I called home.

But this study toward adult confirmation is entirely different, homing in on the process of Chevruta (a partnership, usually between two students, to study the Torah).

Each classmate is paired with another individual for study and reflection.........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)