Academics » Judaic Studies » The Talmud/Halacha Department
The Talmud/Halacha Department
Judaic Studies
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Rabbi Mordekai Shapiro - Chairperson
shapiro@yuhsg.org
The
Talmud/Halacha curriculum provides students with a comprehensive introduction to many areas of Jewish law. Students may choose the Talmud track which includes intensive textual study of a different tractate (massechta) of the Talmud each year, or the Halacha track with its emphasis on classical post-Talmudic rabbinic sources. Both tracks emphasize Halacha L’Ma’aseh, the practical application of halachic principles and both tracks incorporate halachic discussions of timely topics, such as laws dealing with the holidays and other calendar related issues. Chavruta study is emphasized on all grade levels, based on the complexity of the material. Additionally, on each grade level, students may choose between various electives including Contemporary Issues in
Halacha, Jewish Life Cycles, and Fundamentals of Jewish Philosophy. Grade Nine:
A major goal of the ninth grade
Talmud/Halacha curriculum is to teach students the history of the Mesorah and to demonstrate how the Halacha has developed from “pasuk to posek.”
Students are introduced to many of the traditional texts of Jewish law – the Talmud, Rambam, the Shulchan Aruch and the Mishnah Berurah. The main area of concentration is the laws of interpersonal relationships. This includes laws pertaining to interaction with peers, parents, neighbors and the world at large. The curriculum includes selections from Masechet Berachot, Masechet Kiddushin, the writings of the Chofetz Chaim and many contemporary ethicists and ba’alei mussar. Students are thereby exposed to the halachic process in addition to being taught the laws necessary for daily life. A major goal of the
Talmud track is to teach – even beginning students – the skills necessary to understand Talmudic discourse and dialectic. These skills include reasoning, vocabulary, and reading Aramaic. Grade Ten:
In tenth grade, students study the philosophical and theological background and the basic concepts of the laws of
Shabbat.
Major topics include the laws of candle lighting, kiddush and havdalah, in addition to an understanding of the 39 Avot Melachot. Special focus is placed on bishul, muktzah, women’s obligations, the concept of oneg Shabbat, and all positive commandments associated with Shabbat. In order to advance our students’ knowledge of Judaism’s classical sources, primary texts are used in the study of the curriculum.
The
Talmud curriculum focuses on honing the skills developed in ninth grade and introduces students to additional commentaries. A major goal of the tenth grade Talmud course is for students to learn to prepare a passage of Talmud independently. Grade Eleven:
The primary focus of the eleventh grade
Halacha curriculum is an analysis of the laws of kashrut. Through the use of modern responsa and an analysis of contemporary issues, the class will trace the laws of kashrut from their biblical origins through medieval and current literature. The course is designed to give the students an overview of halachic development, as well as a thorough knowledge of practical kashrut. In the eleventh grade
Talmud class, students have gained the skills to work independently. More time is allotted for chavruta study, and Talmud is analyzed in greater depth through the study of Tosafot and other Rishonim. Grade Twelve:
Women in Jewish Law – In this class, all students study many of the issues with regard to the role of women in Judaism. Through a topical analysis, the role of women is defined in light of the
halacha and contemporary society. Topics include: women and the performance of time-bound
mitzvot, marriage, divorce, tzniut (modesty), taharat hamishpacha (laws of family purity), and interpersonal relationships. Topics are studied from original sources so that students develop an appreciation for the sophisticated logic and reasoning that go into the ultimate formulation of the
halacha. The source book for the course includes selections from the
Gemara, Shulchan Aruch, various sheilot u’tshuvot, and assorted articles and commentaries in English and Hebrew. In addition, the seniors learn every Friday with a group of our recent graduates in our
Beit Medrash program. Students are divided into chaburot (groups) led by our alumna for a source based study session. The students and alumna are currently studying Iggeret HaRamban (Nachmanides ethical letter).
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