CHAPTER THREE - Adolescent Issues and Coming-of-Age Ceremonies

C: EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

32. Responding Morally

About an hour.
Type: Moral dilemmas improvisation

The aim of this activity is to explore the moral dimension of the change that occurs at adolescence.

• Ask the participants to sit alone for a few minutes and to try to recall an incident that happened to them in the recent past, where they were caught in a situation in which they were tempted to do something that they believed was wrong. They should try and recreate their state of mind at the moment of temptation, and write down one list of factors that spurred them on to act in a way they believed was wrong, and another list of those that discouraged them from doing wrong.
• In the group framework, ask if there is anyone who is willing to share the incident of which they thought.
  • If there is, the group should discuss the case.
  • If there is not, move on to the next stage of the activity.
• Present this quotation from Avot de Rabbi Natan (please see the first part of this chapter.

  The impulse to evil is thirteen years older than the impulse to do good. It begins growing with a child in the mother’s womb and comes out with him. If the child is about to profane the Shabbat, it does not deter him: if the child is about to commit an act of unchastity, it does not deter him. Only at the age of thirteen is the impulse to good born in a child. If then he is about to profane the Shabbat, it warns him: “You fool! Scripture states, ‘Everyone that profanes [the Shabbat] shall surely be put to death.’”. If he is about to take a life, it warns him: “You fool! Scripture states, ‘Whoever sheds a man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.’”…
  Avot de Rabbi Natan 16

  • Discuss the text and its meaning.
• In small groups, participants should attempt to come up with a contemporary situation reflecting a moral dilemma, in which an adolescent might become involved. Dramatise it for the group, preparing both the dilemma presentation and the conclusion that the group considers appropriate.
• The situations should be played out in front of the group, in turn. For each situation, the “actors” first present the dilemma, but stop before they bring it to a conclusion so that others (the "audience") can try and identify the factors on both sides that pull or push the individual towards particular options for decision. The small group then presents their prepared conclusion and the entire group should address the conclusion they chose.
• Review:

  The group should review the basic assumption of the quote from Avot de Rabbi Natan.

  • How does the group respond to the idea that, at the age of thirteen (or presumably twelve for a girl), there is a new moral sensibility which makes itself felt?
  • Is there any moral change that the group believes happens around the age of adolescence?
  • Can they define it?
  • Can they write a version of the idea in this source that reflects more closely their contemporary understanding of the issue?

   

  Previous

  Unit Index

  Next