The Torah Studies Curriculum

The Milton and Pearl Unger Department of Jewish Studies

Talmud Halacha Chumash PM Judaic Studies

There are three major goals which determine both the texts studied in our Torah Studies classes and the methodology used in teaching these texts: (1) to familiarize the students with the most fundamental texts in the written and oral Torah and their commentaries (2) to build the skills necessary for continued study of our sacred texts and (3) to inspire the students to understand the significance of Torah study as a priority throughout their lives.

Torah study is not limited to the period of the formal class. The mishmar programs, and the chavrusos that our students are able to study with either at or away from the Yeshiva, are some of the examples of an all-encompassing Torah environment that exists at our yeshiva. The presence of the Beis Hamedrash used during the day by students of the Mazer Yeshiva Program and of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, and its Kollelim provide both a resource for high school students as well as a living example for them to emulate. In addition, the fact that 12 members of the high school's Torah studies faculty are themselves alumni of Yeshiva University allows for students to be educated in the methods and analytic approach of the rabbinical faculty of RIETS led by the late Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik zt"l.

A most successful program designed to challenge our advanced students is the masmidim program. Starting with the tenth grade, students who have acquired a mastery of the basic skills and are committed to the challenge of an advanced shiur, are placed in this shiur which is designed to push them towards their potential with special emphasis on independent learning and developing their analytical skills.

Another exciting feature of our Yeshiva gives our qualified 12th grade students the opportunity to attend shiurim in the Mazer Yeshiva program or in of the other undergraduate Jewish studies programs, while still at the high school.

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TALMUD

The specific Talmud tractate to be studied in any given year is chosen by the Rosh HaYeshiva in consultation with the rabbinical faculties of MYP, RIETS and TMSTA. The 3-year cycle of Nashim, Nezikin and Moed is generally followed. Students at the high school, MYP and RIETS concurrently study the tractate chosen. This facilitates the opportunity for our students to study with more advanced students, as well as promoting a broad sense of unity within the student body of YU. Because of the varied backgrounds and abilities of our students, three levels in Talmud study are available.

ADVANCED TALMUD

Grade 9 – Students study the Talmud text with Rashi and Tosafos. They are taught how to anticipate textual difficulties that Rashi would comment upon as well as logical or halachic issues that might be raised by the Tosafos. Emphasis is placed on recognizing textual precision as well as on building Talmudic vocabulary. In addition, students prepare the Mishnayos of the tractate being studied.

Grade 10 – Students study Talmud text with Rashi and all relevant Tosafos and other meforshim. Emphasis is put on having the students prepare the text with a chavrusa.

Grade 11 – Students study the Talmud text with Rashi, Tosafos and meforshim more intensely than in the second year. They analyze seemingly conflicting texts in other tractates and prepare, under faculty supervision, these texts prior to class discussion. The independent study begun in Grade 10 is developed further in the third and fourth years.

Grade 12 - Students study the Talmud text with Rashi, Tosafos, Rambam and other Rishonim.

Emphasis is placed on analysis of both the text and differences in its explanation among the commentaries. In addition, students are expected to prepare, on their own, other sections of the tractate being studied. A focus of this year's work is b'kius – with a goal to complete the masechta.

In the advanced sections of the 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th grades, called masmidim shiurim, the daily schedule is adjusted so that shiur ends at approximately 2pm.(the start of period 2 of the general studies program) . The additional shiur time gives the masmidim shiur extended classroom hours to enable the students to develop their independent study skills while studying with their chavrusa. One afternoon a week, the 10^th grade masmidim shiur is given an intensive Navi session while the 11^th and 12^th grade masmidim utilize that time slot for a course in Jewish history.

INTERMEDIATE TALMUD

Grade 9 – Students study the Talmud text with Rashi. Emphasis is placed on correct reading and translation of text. Students are introduced to the Tosafos commentary and selected Tosafos are read. Mishnayos of the tractate are studied in class.

Grade 10 – Students study the Talmud text with Rashi and selected Tosafos. Students are introduced to textual analysis. The Rebbi will have the class anticipate questions of the Talmudic discourse as well as problems raised in the Tosafos.

Grade 11 - Students study the Talmud text with Rashi and selected Tosafos. Students begin to prepare, in peer groups, simple texts to be analyzed with the Rebbi in class.

Grade 12 – Students study the Talmud text with Rashi, most Tosafos and other relevant Rishonim.

ELEMENTARY TALMUD

Grade 9 - Emphasis is placed on introducing the students to the world of Talmudic literature. Key words and phrases are reviewed and explained. Students spend the first term carefully studying Talmud text with selected Rashi comments. Printed English translations as well as printed vocalized texts are used where available. The Mishnayos on part of the tractate are studied with concentration on reading, translation and concepts.

Grade 10 – Students study the Talmud text with Rashi and are introduced to the world of Tosafos.

Grade 11 - Students study the Talmud with Rashi and begin to cover many of the basic Tosafos. They cover the full Mishnayos of the Masechta studied that year. In addition, they are introduced to the chavrusa experience with the Rebbi's supervision and guidance.

Grade 12 - Students continue developing their skills acquired the previous year with special emphasis on preparing for the Israeli-yeshiva experience. In addition the Rebbi will often introduce, where appropriate, contemporary responsa relevant to the sugya being studied in shiur.

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HALACHA

The primary goals in the study of Halacha are (1) to acquaint the students with the specific laws they need to know and (2) to familiarize them with basic Halachic texts. Because of the varied backgrounds of the students, different texts are used in the study of Halacha within each grade level. The advanced shiurim above the ninth grade use the Mishna Brurah as the basic text.

Grade 9 - Laws of Tefillin, Tzitzis, Brachos, and the daily rituals are studied. Advanced classes use the Mishna Brurah, intermediate classes use the Chaye Adom and elementary classes use Hebrew and English editions of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch.

Grade 10 - The laws of Shabbos are studied including special prayers, Kiddush, Havdalah, and other rituals of Shabbos, with emphasis given to the 39 melachos, the proscribed activities of Shabbos.

Grade 11 - Laws of Yom Tov and Chol Hamoed are studied using texts geared towards the level of the class.

Grade 12 - A selection of laws dealing with Aveilus, interpersonal relationships, and Mitzvos Hataluyos B'aaretz are studied. Advanced and intermediate classes use Chochmas Adom while the elementary classes use "The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning", by Dr. Maurice Lamm.

In addition to the topics listed above, all classes review the relevant laws of festivals during the weeks prior to the upcoming festival. All shiurim spend a specific portion of each week on discussions of hashkafic issues. Some shiurim utilize the study of a classic mussar text as the springboard for these discussions.

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CHUMASH

The entire Yeshiva follows the cycle of the Chamisha Chumshei Torah, with all students learning the same Sefer at the same time. The more advanced shiurim are assigned the majority of the Chumash and Rashi text for home study. Class time is devoted to analyzing some of the pertinent commentaries and giving the student an understanding of the different approaches employed by the various commentaries. The less advanced shiurim have greater emphasis placed on developing skills in reading Rashi and learning his method of relating to D'rash to P'shat. In all grades, great emphasis is placed on learning the concepts underlying the mitzvos, so that the study of Chumash also becomes a vehicle for lessons in Hashkafa.

It should be noted that for the study of Chumash, most of the Rabbeim will switch shiurim, so that the Student will have an opportunity to be exposed to two Rabbeim each year.

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PM Judaic Studies Department

In addition to the material covered in Shiur, a student is expected to take additional coursework during the afternoon classes. This material includes other aspects of Jewish studies not covered by the Shiur Rebbe.

Grade 9:

Hebrew – This includes three areas of content: Language (grammar, usage, and vocabulary), Literature, and Writing. The main focus of the course is on vocabulary and reading comprehension. This will improve a student’s ability to excel in his other Jewish studies courses. Although this is not a regents course, students will be more than prepared for the Hebrew regents. Advanced Hebrew classes will also study Hebrew Literature.

Neviim Rishonim - Equivalency tests will be administered 4 times through the year. These tests will cover Yehoshua, Shoftim, Shmuel I, and Shmuel II. The purpose of these multiple choice tests is to review what was covered in elementary school, provide the students with a cursory knowledge of Neviim and to prepare the students for grade 10 Navi.

Grade 10:

Neviim Rishonim - Equivalency tests will be administered twice during the year. These tests will cover Melachim I, Melachim II, and selected passages from Divrei HaYamim. The purpose of these multiple choice tests is to review what was covered in elementary school, to provide the students with a cursory knowledge of Neviim, and to aid the student in his study of Neviim Achronim.

Neviim Rishonim - Equivalency tests will be administered twice during the year. These tests will cover Melachim I, Melachim II, and selected passages from Divrei HaYamim. The purpose of these multiple choice tests is to review what was covered in elementary school, to provide the students with a cursory knowledge of Neviim, and to aid the student in his study of Neviim Achronim.

- Equivalency tests will be administered twice during the year. These tests will cover Melachim I, Melachim II, and selected passages from Divrei HaYamim. The purpose of these multiple choice tests is to review what was covered in elementary school, to provide the students with a cursory knowledge of Neviim, and to aid the student in his study of Neviim Achronim.

Grade 11:

Choice of Classical and Medieval Jewish History or Masmidim Classical and Medieval Jewish History – Jewish History will be taught topically. Some of the ideas that will be covered include: Bayit sheni, Hasmoneans, Rise of Christianity, Yavne, Bar Kochva, Babylonian Centers, Jews of Spain, The Church and the Jews, Crusades, and Eastern European Jewry until 1648.

Grade 12:

Choice of Modern Jewish History or Masmidim Modern Jewish History – Topics to be covered include Eastern European Jewry, Western European Jewry, Zionism, Israel, the Holocaust, and American Jewish History. The main focus will be on Zionism, Israel, and the Holocaust.

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