Home | Programs | The Beit Midrash Program Full-Time on Three Levels | Shiur Gimel - Advanced | Shiur Gimel (advanced)

Shiur Gimel (advanced)

Font size: Decrease font Enlarge font

Shiur Gimel (advanced) offers advanced students the opportunity to deepen their skills while being exposed to challenging, new levels of learning. Students may move between levels as their Hebrew and text skills improve, or combine classes in different levels to form personalized schedules.

Class Curriculum

 

· Chavruta - From 9 to 10:15am every day our students prepare texts for a lecture and discussion that follows. This preparation is done in pairs, called chavruta, and is supervised by the course instructor. Tutors assist the study pairs and are available to answer questions during this time. Many of our other classes include a shorter chavruta time within the scheduled class period.

· Halacha (Jewish Law) - A clear, concise presentation of practical Jewish Law, along with an explanation of the background and the reasons for the observance.
· Hashkafa - Presentation and discussion of the basic issues of Jewish faith.
· Insights into Tefilla – An in-depth series of lectures on Tefilla. Topics include channeling prayers towards the Beit HaMikdash, the attribute of justice versus the attribute of mercy, standing before the King, and prayer through a broken heart.
· Jewish History – This thematic view of stages in Jewish history and the challenges and contributions of each stage will reveal the unfolding of the magnificent saga of Jewish destiny, reflecting G-d’s divine plan and the awesome greatness of the Jewish people.
· Machzor for the Yamim Noraim - The study of prayers in the machzor, looking at the theological and halachic aspects of prayer, as well as tactics for improving prayer.
· Magnificent Middos… - Each week a different positive character trait will be delved into to provide an understanding of that particular trait and assist in its attainment.
· Maharal - Readings from the philosophical works of the Maharal of Prague, followed by discussion and analysis.
· Megillot - In-depth study of the books of Esther, Song of Songs and Ruth, incorporating literary analysis and intensive study of the commentaries. Each Megillah is presented as a unique work with its own structure and themes.
· Midrash - Analysis and discussion of major philosophical themes found in the Midrash, based on the teachings of Rav Chaim Yaakov Goldvicht of blessed memory.
· Mishlei - An in-depth study of topics in Mishlei based on classic commentaries such as Rashi, the Malbim and the Vilna Gaon. Topics include the relationship between parents and children, child-rearing and marriage.
· Parsha – A philosophical look at themes and topics from the weekly Torah reading.
· Parshat Toldot - Students will study Toldot in depth, with reference to the classical commentaries of Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban, as well as more modern commentaries.
· Pirkei Teshuva - Intensive study of a section of the Chumash dealing with teshuva, utilizing the traditional literary analytical approach to the text, with emphasis on the study of the classical commentaries
· Sichot HaMussar – An in-depth study of Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz’s essays, including: All for the Best, Measure for Measure, Value of Life, Gratitude, and Light and Darkness in Man.
· Survey of the Prophets - A detailed review of the prophetic books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings. Students are expected to prepare for class by reading the text for the upcoming lecture, either in English or Hebrew.
· Tefilla – The purpose of prayer and ways to acquire the “art of tefilla” are studied in-depth. A detailed explanation of the structure and words of prayer is provided in order to integrate the course’s philosophical ideas into daily prayer. v Tehillim – An in-depth study of Tehillim focusing on the interpretation of the classic commentaries of Radak, Malbim, and Rabbi Hirsch with emphasis on how each chapter applies to our lives.
· Yehoshua - An intensive study of the conquest of the Land of Israel, utilizing classical Biblical commentators and Midrash, with an eye to understanding the political, religious, and social experience of the Jewish people during the period of Conquest.
· Yona - In preparation for Yom Kippur, we will study the book of Yona, using the classical commentaries. The historical background of the narratives is explored along with the literary features of the text and the philosophical implications of the story.