What are some good mnemonics for remembering Talmud and Mishna? The Talmud refers to it as making simanim for what you learn.
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1What sort of techniques have you learned, and why cant they be applied directly to Jewish texts?– mevaqeshCommented Dec 2, 2016 at 3:32
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2I am not sure that this is on topic. It might be better suited for cogsci.stackexchange.com or perhaps lifehacks.stackexchange.com.– mevaqeshCommented Dec 2, 2016 at 3:33
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youtube.com/watch?v=9ebJlcZMx3c this explains these techniques– teach meCommented Dec 2, 2016 at 3:51
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2Could you summarize its contents, and specifically what about them is insufficient when applied to Torah studies. Alternatively, what is significant about remembering Torah as opposed to remembering anything else, (and by extension, why is this relevant to this site)?– mevaqeshCommented Dec 2, 2016 at 3:55
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2but I'm generally looking for any techniques that anyone uses to memorize Talmud or Mishna– teach meCommented Dec 2, 2016 at 3:55
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5 Answers
R Jonathan Rietti has an excellent book on Torah learning called the One minute masmid. In appendix D (p. 241) he brings 43 strategies recommended by Chazal to improve memory - with their sources. Here are the first 10 of those, see the book for more
- Constantly review your learning
- Read your learning out loud
- Sing your learning
- Engage your mind in the words as you speak
- Write down your own insights
- Make your own summary of your learning and then make a code word (siman) to represent that information
- Under-eat, and avoid unhealthy food
- Learn in a modest way (without trying to impress others)
- Learn in a beit midrash or shul
- Learn lishmah - with intent to apply what you learn
etc.
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Good answer, I was looking for a specific strategy using mnemonics for memorizing Talmud. The sefer listed in the first answer was the answer.– teach meCommented Feb 25, 2018 at 19:47
Rav Yehuda Arieh of Modena wrote a wonderful book called Lev Haarie about the issue and in his introduction he addressed the midrasdim examples, Tora niknet besimanim etc.
The Shaar in Hebrew books.
He uses a technique called zikaron hamekomi, which is not a Jewish/torah royalty.
The better mnemonics are always the mnemonic you invented yourself.
To hear yourself and a good pronunciation. Learn again even if you already know it, endlessly, all this is in Talmud. In gemara, there are also sgulot, things that lead to forgetness or to rememberness.
Article summarizing his views and approach here.
A new book on the topic was recently published by Saul Clarke, Mastering the mind, a guide to focused learning and Torah retention. Its blurb reads
In a world with instant and unlimited access to almost all human knowledge, with more distractions and less time than ever before, Torah mastery and truly focused learning is becoming increasingly rare and difficult to obtain. As we venture into a new age of AI and advanced information processing, the formidable task of absorbing the Torah into our souls has never been greater.
Based on Chazal and 21st-century psychology, this work provides a set of tools to improve your learning habits and retain your Torah knowledge. From healthy lifestyle changes to cutting-edge memory techniques and cognitive strategies, you will gain a fresh perspective on traditional learning methodologies to help the Torah permeate your heart and mind.
The book is broken down in five sections
- Background
- Mastery principles
- Mastery process
- Mastery habits
- Mastery techniques
- Practical examples
and comes with recommendations from R Yitzchak Breitowitz, R Zeev Leff, R Berel Cohen (Manchester) and R Menachem Blachman (Kerem b'Yavneh).
There is a very popular book both in Hebrew and English about this exact subject! The mechaber is the Rosh Yeshiva of Shapells.
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1Welcome to Mi Yodeaya! You leaft a helpful comment. Could you please add additional details to it to possibly show the methodology if it is different from other answers given? Thank you.– Y DJCommented Oct 11 at 0:55
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Welcome to MiYodeya Ben and thanks for this first answer. Great to have you learn with us!– mblochCommented Oct 11 at 3:03
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You are right, I have it and it is an excellent book. Although it is less focused on memory techniques overall and more ona system to remember knowledge nuggets from the gemara. Still easy to read and highly practical.– mblochCommented Oct 11 at 3:04
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Also to mention the Zichru Program, that uses the Goldhar method.
