Creating online Havruta Communities
for the 21st Century
Fall Courses 5770
HEBREW 100/MECHINA HEBREW
This is a required course to begin courses leading to Rabbinic Ordination or Graduate work in Jewish Studies. Hebrew is the language of Jews and it is imperative that you can read, decode and translate text. Proficiency exams are required to move up to any level of Hebrew.
MECHINA JEWISH STUDIES
This is a required course to begin courses leading to Rabbinic Ordination. This course is an overview of Rabbinic and Jewish texts, History and issues involved in becoming a Rabbi. This is a two semester course and is required along with Mechina Hebrew.
BIBLE 101
This an overview of the Tanach, we will explore various pieces of text and will look at the way bible scholars interpret this text. We will examine the text as being an incredible piece of fascinating literature.
PARSHA HASHAVUA
This course will explore the weekly parsha, we will look at several D'var Torahs from various sources and explore how to make sense of the weekly parsha using various techniques.
INTRO TO LITURGY
This course will examine various texts in our siddurim that are used in prayer. We will review what texts come from where, the Torah, the Talmud, etc. We will look at the structure of the siddur and the differences between Kevah and kavanah. This is an introductory class to the weekly prayer service and its writings.
HOMELETICS
This is one of many courses that will introduce the student to writings. The student will study together the writing process in a Eulogy, D'Var Torah, sermons and other writings that are required in the job of a Rabbi. We will give constructive, respectful criticsism so that we learn from our writing experiences.
INTRO TO MISHNA
This course is an introduction to the study of the 6 books of the Mishna. It is a perquisite to Talmud study. We will study some in depth pieces of the text to illustrate the variety of literary styles and subject matter within the Mishnah. The course will also include a introduction to the scholars who put the oral Torah into print. We will examine different houses of study and their arguments which developed the redaction of the Mishnah giving the majority and the minority opinion.
INTRO TO TALMUD
INTRO TO CODES
This course will explore the study of the Shulchan Aruch and Mishneh Torah and their commentaries, this is the first semester of a two semester course.
RABBINIC RESPONSA
This course will explore various texts from the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox movements. We will explore the similarities and differences and will look at historical and current issues in Judaism.
DEATH , DYING AND THE MOURNING PROCESS
This course will examine the rituals of the mourner and halacha of Jewish ethics in the dying process. We will also look at the liturgy involved and explore the liturgy. We will discuss Shiva and Yartzeit and what is involved in all aspects.
RABBINIC COMMENTATORS
This course will exam Rabbinic commentators such as Rashi and Rambam. We will look at certain texts and examine what past, modern and present commentators think.