The Master Torah Concept
Making Your Torah Yours!
How many of us can "say to wisdom, she is my sister" (Sanhedrin 7b)? Is this possible ? Is Torah attainable ? Of course ! "It is very close to you" (Devarim 30:14). Every Jew is capable of knowing the Torah as Chazal testify: "The Crown of Priesthood was taken by Aaron; the Crown of Kingship was taken by David; But the Crown of Torah is prepared and ready for all Israel." (Avos d'Rebbe Nosson chapter 41 and Rambam, Hilchos Talmud Torah 3:1).
This is the philosophy of Master Torah. Everyone, yes, everyone can ultimately know Kol HaTorah Kulo (the entire Torah). The key is to have structure and true dedication to do it. Master Torah has uniquely created the structure to:
1) Learn clear p'shat (basic understanding) of the Mishna, Talmud Bavli, and Rambam (It is the agenda to develop similar curriculums for Tanach and Shulchan Aruch at a later date).
2) Effectively review material in a systematic, organized way.
3) Develop a long-term cyclical review on previously learned material.
Truly make Torah your own. That's the goal. No tricks, no shortcuts or learning the whole Torah on one foot. Torah takes effort as Chazal tell us: "If someone says I toiled but did not find, do not believe him. If he says I found but did not toil, do not believe him. If he says I toiled and I found, believe him," (Megillah 6b). Most people do not employ the most effective method for retaining what they learn (and hence have not "toiled" in the manner Chazal intended to yield the GUARANTEED result). Master Torah aims to facilitate this.
Master Torah now provides thousands of shiurim (classes) on Mishna, Talmud Bavli, and Rambam, with new shiurim being added constantly. The program starts with listening to the shiur- either on this website or after being downloaded as an MP3 (or in some cases as a Quicktime video). Each one of the shiurim is given by Rav Pogrow, the founder of Master Torah, in a clear and organized fashion. He is a master educator who also provides succinct yet clear introductions to each new topic or concept. Alternatively, one may learn the material on his own. In the case of Mishna and Rambam comprehensive questions are available to guide you through the material and help ensure that you have clarity of the p'shat.
The next step is dedicated and consistent chazara (review). In many places in Shas (the Talmud) we find that the Amoraim (great sages of the Talmud) would immediately review what they had learned forty times (Berachos 28a, Pesachim 72a, Megillah 7b, Kesubos 22b). And even then they would only know it "as if in his pocket". Just like one continually checks his pockets to make sure his money is still there, so too the diligent student or teacher must continually review what he has learned (Vilna Gaon).
To that end Master Torah has created comprehensive review schedules and tests to reinforce and solidify one's learning. Please check each of the individual programs for the exact method employed. This is not a theoretical idea. This is the method prescribed by Chazal and is already being implemented by more than thirteen Hundred Jews around the world! Come join the Master Torah family and become one the privileged who can say, "All my bones utter it," (Tehillim 35:10) and that "his studies are in the palm of his hand" (Bava Basra 10b).