I recall reading that their is a pesak/teshuvah/report by a major posek, perhaps an early "later" Acharon, (Rabbi Akiva Eiger zt"l) which noted that at least elementary arithmatic or mathematics was traditionally taught in cheder. I did not make note of the makor, however. Is anyone able to provide the source?
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I believe there is a Teshuva given by Rabbi Masliah Mazuz HY"D that permits learning math in a synagogue. This probably doesn't help you though.– Hacham GabrielCommented Dec 26, 2011 at 2:50
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I would still like the makor :)– YirmeyahuCommented Dec 26, 2011 at 3:02
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Legacy of Leaders Vol. II written by Yehuda Azulai (section about Rabbi Masliah Mazuz). I don't believe it is published in his Seforim.– Hacham GabrielCommented Dec 26, 2011 at 3:05
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Question... how can you teach gematria without basic arithmatic?– aviCommented Dec 29, 2011 at 9:36
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@avi I don't think that's the question. Because if you want to learn Gimtarya, all you have to do is learn some math WHILE you are teaching Gimtarya. Any secular studies that are included in the Torah are certainly permitted to learn in order to understand the Torah.– Hacham GabrielCommented Jan 1, 2012 at 2:39
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3 Answers
Sefer Sheeris HaNachala mentions in the name of the Sefer HaItim that Rav Hai Gaon said that it is permitted to teach children Arabic and mathematics in order to assist them in learning Torah.
answered Dec 26, 2011 at 20:26
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1And R' Ovadya Yosef shlita has a responsum to the rabbinate of Argentina, in which the only way their Jewish educational system may work would involve teaching math and Spanish in the beis medrish, where he references this allowance of R' Hai Gaon.– ShalomCommented Dec 26, 2011 at 23:48
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1@Yirmeyahu While a great source for the general concept, are you looking for Cheder (the european mode of teaching) specifically, or to young children in general?– aviCommented Dec 29, 2011 at 9:38
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Yes, it would have been a European posek speaking about it being part of the standard curriculum. Commented Dec 29, 2011 at 16:59
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Not sure these quotes exactly answer your question, however they do show some of the major times when math was taught and introduced into Jewish schools. The last one seems particularly on topic.
Yaskil Avdi (vol. 1 Orah Haim siman 7) permits it (he was asked by Rabbi Masliah Mazuz). As well as Sis Eliezer (vol. 9 siman 15). See the aforementioned Yabia Omer 7:21.
I found in Yalkut Yosef vol. 2 pg. 255
אין לערוך הרצאות של חול בבית הכנסת, וכל שכן לערוך שם קונצרטים וכיוצא בזה. אלא אם כן ההרצאה כוללת גם דברי חיזוק ועידוד לשמירת התורה והמצוות (כגון עריכת ''סמינרים'' לקרב רחוקים לצור מחצבתם).
He prohibits lectures about non-Torah things in a Shul except for Kiruv and Hizuk.
