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I'm looking for a way to accurately describe what a chavrusa (in a yeshiva setting) is to a non-Jew. I'm ideally looking for a one or two line description.

Basically the shorter the better, but it should accurately describe it to someone from a completely different background.

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    "Study-partner" wouldn't suffice?
    – Y     e     z
    Dec 27, 2015 at 2:26
  • @yEz not really. The picture that usually generates is a lot different than a chavrusa.
    – user11667
    Dec 27, 2015 at 2:29
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    It would be really hard to explain to someone what a Chavrusa is unless they understand what a Yeshiva Gedola is.
    – LN6595
    Dec 28, 2015 at 0:03

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A study-partner with whom one analyzes and debates the subject matter of study, usually pertaining to a particular text. Chavrusas are not just reading or reviewing together - they are jointly working out an understanding in a process that often involves challenging and argumentation.

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    Note also that Chavrusas often tackle new material in perpetration for lecture, not just reviewing for a test.
    – Double AA ♦
    Dec 27, 2015 at 2:46
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    @DoubleAA that was what I meant when I said they are not just reviewing. Was that not clear?
    – Y     e     z
    Dec 27, 2015 at 2:49
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    Maybe substitute "learning partner" for study-partner. In common usage, "learning" refers to tackling new material while "study" tends to refer to mastering material previously learned.
    – LN6595
    Dec 27, 2015 at 17:50
  • @LN6595 Is there anything that connotes both? Because chavrusas often do both.
    – Y     e     z
    Dec 28, 2015 at 1:54

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