Emotional Intelligence:
The role of emotions in Torah and secular studies
The blog - Yiftach Libeinu - is based upon courses offered by R. Dr. Eliezer Shore at Michlalah College, Jerusalem. Among the many topics discussed in the course are the various forms of emotion found in each classroom setting, how an instructor should relate to these emotions and utilize them - even the negative ones - to the benefit of his students, and the use of attentiveness, empathy, and open-heartedness to enrich teacher-student relationships. Numerous classic thinkers are studied and discussed during the course, including: R. Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin, R. Avraham Yitzchak Kook, R. Kalonymus Kalman Shapira, R. Yitzchak Hutner, R. Chaim Vital, and many others.
In addition, practical techniques are studied as to how to integrate Emotional Intelligence in classroom setting.
Other topics discussed include:
- The place of emotions in Torah study.
- The social context of study.
- The five types of emotional relationship encountered in study.
- Utilizing positive student-teacher relationships in study.
- The debate between the Nefesh HaChayim and the Baal Shem Tov on Torah leshma.
- The history and use of IQ tests.
- The concept of "pure intellect" as opposed to the imagination faculty in Torah study.
- Failure and confusion as motivating factors.
- Key experiences in learning.
- Meaning, relevance, empathy, etc.