GEMARAH
The Study of Gemara is the primary focus of our limudei kodesh curriculum. During the ninth and tenth grade years, shiurim center on teaching how to read fluently and understand the text, developing vocabulary, identifying talmudic laws and concepts, and understanding the flow of the question and answer of the sugya. Classes focus on clearly reading, understanding, and analyzing rishonim. The rudiments of lomdut, talmudic thought, and independent chavruta study are introduced as well. In the eleventh and twelfth grades, more focus is placed on analysis of rishonim, but the text will still be of primary importance. Chavruta is standardized on a daily basis. In twelfth grade, talmidim will have the opportunity to join the Honors Bait Medrash track that extends the learning hours and provide a forum to finish the year’s masechta. During all years, there is a bekiut program to help talmidim acquire knowledge in related topics, as well as incentives for projects of independent study, such as mishnayot study or bekiut gemara. Additionally, we offer voluntary shiurim before, during, and after school.
HALACHA
Halacha is studied from the classical sources of Jewish Law such as the Mishnah Berurah, the Chayei Adam, the Aruch Hashulchan, and others. In addition to the laws of each Yom Tov which are studied before that holiday, the curriculum includes Hilchot Tefila for the ninth grade, Hilchot Shabbat for the tenth grade, Hilchot Yom Tov in the eleventh grade, and Mitzvot Hateluyot Ba’aretz in the twelfth grade. Emphasis is placed on knowing where to reference various types of halachot as well as knowing the laws themselves.
CHUMASH
The Chumash curriculum is designed to familiarize each talmid with text and meforshim, as well as the various lessons and hashkafik topics found in the pesukim. Special attention is given to the different approaches to exegesis taken by the various meforshim. Freshmen study Bereishit, sophomores study Shemot, juniors Bamidbar, and seniors study Devarim. While the lower grades focus more on Rashi, the eleventh and twelfth feature in-depth analysis of the Ramban, Seforno, Ibn Ezra, and others. Chumash is studied by topic, as opposed to a pasuk by pasuk approach. There is a bekiut component as well that familiarizes the student with the entire sefer being studied.
NACH
The Nach program provides both a conceptual approach and bekiut in Sifrei Neviim Uketuvim. The approach is a topical one, and an attempt is made to link various sefarim with current events. The ninth grade learns an overview of Yehoshua, Shoftim and Shmuel, the tenth grade studies Melachim, the eleventh grade learns Yirmiyahu, Yechezkel, Chaggai, Zecharia and Malachi, while the twelfth grade studies the Chamesh Megilot. Emphasis is placed on the text, the lessons to be learned, as well as understanding the historical background of the time period in which each Navi prophesied.
MUSSAR
Regular periods are set aside each week for discussion and in-depth learning of seforim that deal with personal character improvement and religious development. Texts used are Messilat Yesharim, Pirkei Avot, Alei Shur, Shaarei Teshuva, Chovat Hatalmidim, and many others. Focus is placed on giving modern, practical applications of character flaws, and analysis on the causes of and solutions to these challenges. Noted Rabbinic figures and Jewish leaders also guest lecture as part of our Mussar program.
JEWISH PHILOSOPHY
The 12th grade Jewish Philosophy course gives students approaches to address some of the more complex philosophical issues in Judaism. Some of the topics covered in the class are tzadik v’rah lo, emunah, faith, free choice and tefilla. The Kuzari, Derech Hashem and the works of Rav Soloveichik, are some of the sources used in this course. We also address the relationship between body and soul, drug and substance abuse, health issues, and genetic screening.
MODERN JEWISH HISTORY
Modern Jewish History is a required one semester junior elective in 20th Century events that molded the Jewish world. We emphasize Holocaust study and the rise of the State of Israel. The origins of modern anti-Semitism, a chronology of the Holocaust, the Jewish response to extermination, Zionist ideology, the Yishuv, British mandate, modern Israel and the ongoing Palestinian conflict are among the topics covered. Films, lectures, and internet research complement daily class work.
