Get Yourself Some Haverim

I want to share some interesting insights from a book I am currently reading: Sitting At The Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg. Learning these things is so exciting and liberating to me, that I just can't keep it to myself. I hope this enlightens you as well. I will begin with the definition of a haver or haverah in the Hebrew.

Haver, Haverah -- a haver (plural, haverim) is a male student who partners with another student to enhance learning. Together, haverim study and discuss the religious texts. A female study partner is a haverah (plural, haverot).

As critical as it was to study with a rabbi, it was considered essential to have one or two people who could learn right along with you. Fellow students could ask each other questions that they might be too embarrassed to ask their teachers. Also, partners could learn from each other.

Was Jesus aware of this approach to studying Scripture? Consider the words of the early rabbis, who said: "When two sit together and exchange words of Torah, then the Divine Presence dwells among them." Now listen to the words of Jesus: "Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them" (Matthew 18:20). You can hardly miss the similarity. Like other Jewish teachers of his time, Jesus affirmed his followers' need for community.

Our Westernized minds may struggle with this idea. We tend to believe the only way to deeply encounter God is through solitary prayer and study. But Jesus implies that his presence will be felt most often in the presence of a small group of haverim.

Also, it's impossible to be a good haver if you hold onto an extreme sense of privacy about spiritual matters. Plenty of study groups never move beyond superficial, impersonal conversation. Haverim need to learn to trust one another, openly expressing their thoughts and feelings, confident that what is shared within the group will not go beyond the group. They must also learn the art of respectful disagreement, challenging each other when necessary. Remember, debate was a normal part of the life of disciples, an essential way to learn.

Becoming each other's haverim is an effective way to fulfill Jesus' command to raise up disciples. Rather than viewing ourselves as the "rabbi" and others as our "disciples," becoming haverim allows us to take on the role of "co-disciples." We can help others grow by learning right alongside them.

(Tip from the end of the chapter)

If you don't yet have a study partner, a haver, ask God to send you one. Perhaps your spouse can be your haver or haverah. Whether you are single or married, look for another person in your neighborhood, your church, your workplace, or among your circle of friends who shares your interest in Scripture. Make sure you haver is someone capable of challenging you to go deeper rather than someone who will simply agree with everything you say. Remember, debate is a helpful method for learning.