Bible

This introductory course is designed for students who do not possess a strong foundation for serious Chumash study.  In this class, students develop and refine their critical thinking skills. Students learn the order and names of all five Books of the Torah and must demonstrate proficient knowledge of the content and Hebrew terminology in the Book of Shemot. While English is the primary language used for instruction, the instructor places emphasis on students’ Hebrew vocabulary development utilizing Hebrew  frequently.  Students study text in the original Hebrew and are responsible for textual content. In addition, students study morphology (word analysis) including gender, tense, parts of speech, and sentence structure. These elements are essential for independent Chumash study.

Text:  Shemot
Homework requirement: 1 1/2 -2 hours per week

This introductory course is designed for students who possess average oral and written expressive and comprehensive Hebrew skills. The objective of this course is the mastery of skills necessary for reading and understanding Chumash and Rashi. In this class, students engage in cooperative learning (chavruta) to develop skills that will help them to become independent learners.  Students must know all five Books of the Chumash are expected to demonstrate good command of content, knowledge and terminology in the Book of Shemot. Students are instructed in the skills of morphology (word analysis) including recognition of prefix and suffix, gender, tense, declension, Biblical formulation of past and future tense (VaV HaHipuch), the rules and conceptual underpinnings of sentence structure (subject, predicate, objects, etc.), and the numerical equivalents of Hebrew letters. Students examine the basics of Parshanut, including the definition of pshat and drash. In addition, students must learn to identify and formulate a koshi (textual difficulty). Students are introduced to the study of Rashi, with special emphasis placed on understanding how commentary stems from serious textual analysis.

Text:  Shemot
Homework requirement: 2 hours per week

This course requires students to be fluent in both oral and written expressive and comprehensive Hebrew. Cooperative learning (chavruta) is employed to develop skills that will enable students to become independent learners. Students must possess a rich vocabulary, and a grasp of morphology (word analysis) including recognition of prefix and suffix, gender, tense, declension, Biblical formulation of past and future tense (VaV HaHipuch). Also, students need to have the rules and conceptual underpinnings of sentence structure (subject, predicate, objects, etc.) and numerical equivalents of Hebrew letters mastered. In this course, students study the basics of Parshanut, including the definition of pshat and drash. Students learn to identify and formulate a koshi (textual difficulty). Students engage in the study of Rashi, and, to a lesser extent, Ramban. In each commentary, key terminology is identified, with special emphasis placed on understanding the manner by which commentary stems from serious textual analysis. Students are expected to demonstrate a rich accumulation of content knowledge and terminology in the Book of Shemot, all five Books of the Chumash. In addition, students learn to use Biblical maps of the Middle East.

Text:  Shemot
Homework requirement: 2 hours per week

In this course, the primary objective is the mastery of reading comprehension skills for the Chumash and classical commentaries.  Students are introduced to key Rashi terminology as Rashi is studied with vocalized text. In addition, students learn the definition of pshat and drash, and the elements of koshi (textual difficulty). Critical thinking skills are stressed in accordance with the skill level of the class. General knowledge includes basic content of the Books of Vayikra and Bamidbar, and expressions and vocabulary associated with each Book.

Text:  Vayikra/Bamidbar 
Homework requirement: 2-3 hours per week

Homework Requirement: 20 minutes per night

In this class, the primary objective is the mastery of reading comprehension skills for the Chumash and classical commentaries.  Students engage in cooperative learning (chavruta) to develop skills that will help them to become independent learners.  Students must know all five Books of the Chumash and are expected to demonstrate mastery of content knowledge and terminology in the Books of Vayikra and Bamidbar. Students study the basics of Parshanut, including the definition of pshat and drash and learn to identify and formulate a koshi (textual difficulty). Students engage in the study of Rashi, and, to a lesser extent, Ramban. Key terminology of each commentary is identified, with special emphasis placed on understanding the manner by which commentary stems from serious textual analysis. In addition, students learn to use Biblical maps of the Middle East.

Text:  Vayikra and Bamidbar
Homework requirement: 2 hours per week

Homework Requirement: 20 minutes per night

In this course, students learn to classify various forms of kesha-im (textual difficulties) and to propose solutions as they are raised. Independent research of sacred commentators is conducted through cooperative study (chavruta), to find answers to questions raised in class. Students must know all five Books of the Chumash and are expected to demonstrate a rich accumulation of content knowledge and Hebrew terminology in the Books of Vayikra and Bamidbar. Emphasis is placed on the reading comprehension of Rashi, Rashbam and Ramban. Students learn how to use Sefer HaChinuch as a theoretic Halachic tool, as well as the Biblical Concordance and Biblical dictionary.

Texts:  Vayikra and Bamidbar
Homework requirement: 2-3 hours per week

Homework Requirement: 20 minutes per night

In this course, the primary academic objective is the mastery of reading comprehension skills for the Chumash and selected classical commentaries. Students are expected to demonstrate mastery of content knowledge and terminology in the last four Books of the Torah. Students study the basics of Parshanut, including the definition of pshat and drash, and learn to identify and formulate a koshi (textual difficulty). Also, students engage in the study of Rashi and other classical commentaries with particular attention paid to concepts and key terminology of each commentary. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the manner by which commentary stems from serious textual analysis. In addition, students learn to use Biblical maps of the Middle East.

Texts:  Devarim
Homework requirement: 2 hours per week

Homework Requirement: 20 minutes per night

In this class students learn to classify various forms of kesha-im (textual difficulties) and to propose solutions as they are raised. Independent research of sacred commentators is conducted through cooperative study (chavruta), to find answers to questions raised in class. Students are expected to demonstrate a significant acquisition of content knowledge and Hebrew terminology in the Books of Shemot, VaYikra, BaMidbar and Devarim, in addition to the names and order of all five Books of the Chumash, and all Sidrot in the first four Books of the Torah. Emphasis is placed on students’ reading comprehension of Rashi, Rashbam and Ramban. In addition, students learn how to use Sefer HaChinuch as a theoretic Halachic tool as well as the Biblical Concordance and Biblical dictionary.

Texts:  Devarim
Homework requirement: 2-3 hours per week

In this Chumash Honors course, textual study is fast paced. Students are expected to prepare Biblical passages on their own and to identify nuances that prompt kesha-im. Students engage in the independent study of Chumash and Parshanut. Emphasis is placed on students generating textual and logical support for the commentators’ positions under study.  In the comparative analysis of commentators including Rashi, Ramban, Rashban, Seforno, and Abravanel, students must possess an advanced level of critical thinking skills. In addition, students learn to identify patterns of commentators and to relate them to pshat and/or drash.

Texts:  Devarim
Homework requirement: 2-3 hours per week

In this course students learn to classify various forms of kesha-im (textual difficulties) and to propose solutions as they are raised. Independent research of sacred commentators is conducted through cooperative study (chavruta), to find answers to questions raised in class. Emphasis is placed on reading comprehension of Rashi, Rashbam and Ramban. Students learn how to use Sefer HaChinuch as a theoretic Halachic tool, as well as the Biblical Concordance and Biblical Dictionary. Students are introduced to Midrashei Aggada and Midrashei Halacha, their content, authorship and approximate age of their formulation. In addition, students begin to explore Midrash as a primary source.

Texts:  Bereishit
Homework requirement: 2-3 hours per week

In this course students are expected to prepare Biblical passages on their own and to identify nuances that prompt kesha-im (textual difficulties.) Students engage in the independent study of Chumash and Parshanut. Emphasis is placed on students generating textual and logical support for the commentators’ positions under study. Midrash is studied as primary source material. In the comparative analysis of commentators including Rashi, Ramban, Rashban, Seforno, and Abravanel, students must possess an advanced level of critical thinking skills.   In addition, students learn to identify patterns of commentators and to relate them to pshat and/or drash.

Texts:  Bereishit
Homework requirement: 2-3 hours per week

The pace and depth of this course is quite demanding.  The primary focus is an in-depth understanding of the Book of Breishit from the perspective of both pshat and drash. Material is gathered from the classical commentaries of Rishonim and Acharonim. Students explore the ethical lessons and righteous conduct of the ancestors in meeting the challenges that these ancestors encountered. Great emphasis is placed on careful textual reading and learning to extract primary ideas and concepts from the words of sacred commentators.

Text:  Breishit
Homework requirement: 2-3 hours per week

In this course, students develop their translation skills, with special emphasis placed on accuracy in reading.  In addition, students focus on vocabulary skills, map skills, word analysis (morphology), as well as key phrases in Hebrew that assist in the mastery of content and concepts. Students study Rashi script and other various selections from Rashi.

Texts: Yehoshua, Shoftim, Megillat Rut and Megillat Esther
Homework requirement: 1-2 hours per week

This course focuses on sharpening textual comprehension skills and the development of a strong Hebrew vocabulary. Students study morphology and sentence structure, and sharpen their map skills. In addition, students study selected comments by Metzudat David and Metzudat Tzion.

Texts:  Yehoshua, Shoftim, Megillat Rut and Megillat Esther
Homework requirement: 1-2 hours per week

This course is conducted in Hebrew.  At this level, students should have strong vocabulary and comprehension skills, and should be highly motivated. In addition, students need to know how to read Rashi script. Students study morphology and sentence structure, and sharpen their map skills, with special emphasis placed on the ability to follow a story line. The primary commentary studied is Metzudat David and Metzudat Tzion. Also, students analyze selected comments by Rashi and RaDaK. Students learn to identify the textual nuances that prompt comments.

Texts:  Yehoshua, Shoftim, Megillat Rut and Megillat Esther
Homework requirement: 1-2 hours per week 

This course emphasizes the narratives found in Shmuel Aleph and Bet (Samuel 1-11), and focuses on the themes and messages of both Shmuel and Dovid Hamelech. Students study the textual demands made in the sections of Melachim and learn key phrases in Yirmiyahu. Also, students study a variety of Psalms appropriate for every life-cycle experience, because the Book of Tehillim (Psalms) has become Israel’s primary mode of communication with G-d. Students are encouraged to select verses that have special meaning to them. Vocabulary development, verse structure and chapter analysis are very important in maximizing the personal impact that a Psalm has upon the individual. Themes studied in Psalms include: prayer, defining righteousness, Israel and the Nations, Hashgacha, evil and good in the world, the fate of the Tzadik, and of the Rasha, Teshuva, Yerushalayim and Zion.

Texts:  Shmuel Aleph and Bet, Tehillim
Homework requirement: 1-2 hours per week

Homework Requirement: 20 minutes per night

In this course students learn to identify the differences in style between Biblical narrative and poetry, as well as the literary devices used to communicate on a spiritual and intellectual level. In addition, maps are employed to help students understand the geopolitical realities of the time. Considerable time is spent upon word analysis to help students learn the new vocabulary and style unique to the Psalms. Also, students study a variety of Psalms appropriate for every life-cycle experience, because the Book of Tehillim (Psalms) has become Israel’s primary mode of communication with G-d. Students are encouraged to select verses that have special meaning to them. Vocabulary development, verse structure and chapter analysis are very important in maximizing the personal impact that a Psalm has upon the individual. Themes studied in Psalms include: prayer, defining righteousness, Israel and the Nations, Hashgacha, evil and good in the world, the fate of the Tzadik, and of the Rasha, Teshuva, Yerushalayim and Zion.

Texts:  Shmuel Aleph and Bet, Tehillim
Homework requirement: 1-2 hours per week

Homework Requirement: 20 minutes per night

In this course, classroom instruction is conducted in Hebrew. Students learn to identify the differences in style between Biblical narrative and poetry as well as the literary devices used to communicate on a spiritual and intellectual level. In addition, maps are employed to help students understand the geopolitical realities of the time. Considerable time is spent on word analysis to help students learn the new vocabulary and style unique to Psalms. Students study the words, concepts and terminology of classical commentators in depth. Also, students study a variety of Psalms appropriate for every life-cycle experience, because the Book of Tehillim (Psalms) has become Israel’s primary mode of communication with G-d. Students are encouraged to select verses that have special meaning to them. Vocabulary development, verse structure and chapter analysis are very important in maximizing the personal impact that a Psalm has upon the individual. Themes studied in Psalms include: prayer, defining righteousness, Israel and the Nations, Hashgacha, evil and good in the world, the fate of the Tzadik, and of the Rasha, Teshuva, Yerushalayim and Zion.

Texts:  Shmuel Aleph and Bet, Tehillim
Homework requirement: 1-2 hours per week

Homework Requirement: 20 minutes per night

In this course, students learn the noble concepts and values that have enriched the Jewish people and Western Civilization. Students study modern commentators such as Rav Hirsch and the Malbim in tandem with the classical medieval commentators. In addition, students study homiletic, as well as exegetical, commentaries. Themes studied in this course include: the Prophetic mission, the special relationship between Israel and G-d, Avoda Zara, human values/divine values; Courage: delivering the unpopular message, and the nature of the Babylonian exile; Rachel, advocate of her children; and Prophetic imagery.In this course, the primary academic objective is the mastery of reading comprehension skills for the Chumash and selected classical commentaries. Students are expected to demonstrate mastery of content knowledge and terminology in the last four Books of the Torah. Students study the basics of Parshanut, including the definition of pshat and drash, and learn to identify and formulate a koshi (textual difficulty). Also, students engage in the study of Rashi and other classical commentaries with particular attention paid to concepts and key terminology of each commentary. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the manner by which commentary stems from serious textual analysis. In addition, students learn to use Biblical maps of the Middle East.

Texts:  Melachim Aleph and Bet, Yirmiyahu
Homework requirement: 1-2 hours per week

Homework Requirement: 20 minutes per night

In this class time is dedicated to focus on pivotal personalities and events. Students study modern commentators such as Rav Hirsch and the Malbim in tandem with the classical medieval commentators. Themes studied in this course include: the Prophetic mission, the special relationship between Israel and G-d, Avoda Zara, human values/divine values; Courage: delivering the unpopular message, and the nature of the Babylonian exile; Rachel, advocate of her children; and Prophetic imagery.

Texts:  Melachim Aleph and Bet, Yirmiyahu
Homework requirement: 1-2 hours per week

In this class, students study modern commentators such as Rav Hirsch and the Malbim in tandem with the classical medieval commentators.  In addition, students study homiletic, as well as exegetical, commentaries. Themes studied in this course include: the Prophetic mission, the special relationship between Israel and G-d, Avoda Zara, human values/divine values; Courage: delivering the unpopular message, and the nature of the Babylonian exile; Rachel, advocate of her children; and Prophetic imagery.

Texts:  Melachim Aleph and Bet, Yirmiyahu
Homework requirement: 1-2 hours per week

This course is designed to refine critical thinking skills through class discussion and an exchange of ideas. Emphasis is placed on the major themes found in the Books of Mishle (Proverbs) and Kohelet (Ecclesiastes). Both books are placed in a historical framework, and students learn familiar sayings reflecting Jewish attitudes in confronting life’s challenges. Themes studied in Mishle include: Torah, G-d and Israel, parent and child, husband and wife, friendship, community, following the crowd, wisdom/foolishness, materialism, and leadership.

Texts:  Mishle and Kohelet
Homework requirement: 1-2 hours per week

In this course, students are trained to appreciate the unique poetic style and terminology of Mishle (Proverbs) and Kohelet (Ecclesiastes). The study of simile, metaphor and parable allow students of Mishle to better understand the meaning of this prescriptive work. Medieval and modern commentators are utilized to shed light upon the deeper meaning behind the text. Much attention is paid to word selection, verse structure and literary device. Themes studied in Mishle include: Torah, G-d and Israel, parent and child, husband and wife, friendship, community, following the crowd, wisdom/foolishness, materialism, and leadership.

Texts:  Mishle and Kohelet
Homework requirement: 1-2 hours per week

In this course, students are trained to appreciate the unique poetic style and terminology of Mishle (Proverbs) and Kohelet (Ecclesiastes). The study of simile, metaphor and parable allow the students of Mishle to better understand the meaning of this prescriptive work. Medieval and modern commentators are utilized to shed light upon the deeper meaning behind the text.  At this level, greater emphasis is placed on word selection, verse structure and literary device. Themes in Mishle studied are: Torah, G-d and Israel, Parent and Child, Husband and Wife, Friendship, Community, Following the Crowd, Wisdom/Foolishness, Materialism, and Leadership.

Texts:  Mishle and Kohelet
Homework requirement: 1-2 hours per week