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Course Descriptions

HALACHA
		Hilchot Shabbat – Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Shimon Isaacson Is one permitted to make a double knot in shoelaces on Shabbat? Am I really chayov Karet for reheating soup on Shabbat? May one play with jigsaw puzzles or Scrabble on Shabbat? Is there really something wrong with playing ball on Shabbat? How exactly am I supposed to prepare tea or coffee on Shabbat? This class will cover all of the mitzvot aseh, thirty-nine melachot, muktzeh and amira leAkum. Talmidim will develop a new appreciation for the methodology of the halachic process, and a real working knowledge of the intricate details of Hilchot Shabbat.

		Mitzvot Bein Adam L'Chaveiro – Rav Barak Saffer An understanding of the laws of interpersonal relationships (bein adam l'chaveiro) requires a solid grasp of the halachic system. In this *text-based* shiur, Rav Saffer shows how merely relying on our own sensitivities is insufficient when it comes to determining how we interact with our fellow Jews. Tracing the subject matter back to its original sources in the Gemara , Rishonim and Acharonim, this course will bring the principles forward showing how modern day Poskim apply it to the current generation. Topics covered include Bikur Cholim, Nichum Aveilim, Tzedaka, Hachnasat Orchim and Kiruv with the responsibilities one has to himself and his family. Questions such as "How one should relate to a typical non-observant Jew," "Can we ever bend the truth (i.e. lie)?" "Is it permitted to speak lashon hara to get something off your chest?" are explored.

		Hands on Halacha - Safrut – Rav Kfir Dadon Why do we write Sifrei Torah on cow hide? What kind of ink is used in writing STA"M? What makes a Sefer Torah pasul? Are you interested in writing your very own Megillat Esther? In this class you will learn the halachot necessary to become a qualified sofer, and the calligraphy that every sofer needs to write a kosher Sefer Torah. After that, you will have the opportunity to put your knowledge to work by buying ink, klaf and a quill, and writing your own Megillat Esther. This class is given in Hebrew.

		Hands on Halacha - The Laws of Shechita – Rav Kfir Dadon There are so many areas of halacha that are so practical yet we delegate them to the “experts.” An educated Jew needs to at least have the basic knowledge of all areas of Halacha. In this class, Talmidim learn (and experience before their very eyes) all of the steps involved in getting that sheep or chicken from the farm to your dining room table. What makes an animal a tereifa? What does “glatt” mean? How is the animal schechted? How do you check the lungs of a chicken? What is involved in removing the gid hanasheh? What are the other non-kosher parts of a kosher animal? How is the meat salted? Talmidim also learn the differences between the different levels of hechsherim and the differences between Sephardi and Ashkenazi minhagim in this area. *This class is given in Hebrew.*

		The Living Halacha - Rav Daniel Katz From the moment we wake up in the morning until we go to sleep at night our lives are shaped by the dalet amot of a halacha. The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch will open our eyes as we explore many areas of halacha including the halachot of daily living, tzitzit, tefilla and the yamim tovim. Learn and understand the practical halachot, common minhagim, and contemporary applications of ancient halachot. In this class, your life will be infused with new perspectives of how detailed and rich life as a Jew is. Experience how halacha comes to life!
TANACH
		Living the Parsha – Rav Mordechai Burg Maaseh avot siman lebanim does not only mean that the Avot created guidelines for our behavior, but according to the Ramban, means that the Avot instilled something unique into the very genetic code of Klal Yisrael. Through an original study of our forefathers and their travels, Talmidim are enlightened as to the potential they have inside of themselves. This inspiring class develops the idea that greatness lies in all of us and it is our job to discover the path that we are to take in life. With a renewed sense of responsibility, Talmidim will develop a fresh relationship to the mitzvot and Hashem.

		Deep Thoughts on the Parsha – Rav Shmuel Zucker Everyone understands that Torah is deep. What, however, does that mean? Everyone knows that learning Torah connects you to Hashem – but how exactly does that happen? In this shiur, Talmidim explore deep and penetrating insights into the Parsha, while getting exposure to Kabbalistic ideas and פנימיות התורה. Talmidim develop a deeper understanding of what really goes on in the Parsha, and what lies beneath the surface. Every shiur provides a practical application in עבודת ה' that emerges from the Parsha and the shiur also explores deep insights into the מועדים – the Jewish holidays.

		What’s Bothering Rashi? – Rav Daniel Katz Rashi is arguably the most popular commentary on the Torah, with over 300 super commentaries written on his commentary. However, he is also the least understood! This course introduces Talmidim to a proper understanding of פירוש רש"י in its entirety. Using a unique interactive approach, Talmidim learn to think like the super commentators: anticipate Rashi’s questions, understand different types of Rashis, analyze the consistency of his answers within the peshat of the pesukim, understand why he chose to cite certain Midrashim and not others, and reconcile contradicting Rashis. With a step-by-step methodology, Talmidim gradually develop the skills to read each pasuk through the eyes of Rashi and each Rashi through the eyes of the super commentaries.

		Timely Tanach – Rav Yitzchak Twersky This class provides Talmidim with a unique adventure in learning Tanach. Talmidim are exposed to new depths in understanding Tanach - revealing the secrets buried in the text that they never even suspected were there! Each class consists of an original interpretation of a different section of Tanach. Talmidim learn by example how to learn any part of Tanach in a deeper and more meaningful way, and also come to better understand the hidden meaning of midrash and aggadah and its relationship to the peshat of the Tanach. This class focuses on texts, insights and concepts that are timely. [You probably guessed that from the title!] The shiurim will focus on the Parsha of the week, as well as sections in Tanach that shed light on the upcoming Yamim Tovim, Tzomot and the Megillot.

		Tanach Shmorg – Rav Yitzchak Twersky Like Rav Twersky's other class in Tanach, this one also provides Talmidim with a unique adventure in learning Tanach. Each class consists of an original interpretation of a different section of Tanach, and Talmidim learn by example how to learn any part of Tanach in a deeper and more meaningful way. Talmidim also come to better understand the hidden meaning of midrash and aggadah and its relationship to the peshat of the Tanach. In this class, the focus is on a broad range of texts throughout the Tanach, especially [but not exclusively] Nach, and the exploration of a wide variety of many of the most interesting and exciting sections of Tanach.
TALMUD
		Gemara Skills Builder 101 – Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel Wenglin Get ready to stretch your mental muscles and stay on your toes. In this shiur, be”H, you will learn how to learn. You will develop a love for the daf as you begin to understand how the logic of the Gemara unfolds line by line. You will learn to think like a Rishon (sounds a bit far-fetched, right?), analyzing precisely how the terutz answers the kasha and how the offered proof upholds the previous assertion. The shiur will begin by focusing primarily on the Gemara itself, gradually adding in Rashi and some Tosafos (and other Rishonim) down the line. At the end of it all, be”H, you will actually look forward to looking into a Ramban, Ritva, Rashba, Ran, or Rosh on the sugya – it will no longer be a mystery to you how they came up with their chiddushim. You will approach the Gemara with new-found confidence and simcha – and most likely you will approach your Yiddishkeit the same way as well.
HASHKAFA
		Sophisticated Faith *– Rav Mordechai Burg* Utilizing modern-day sources such as Shaarei Emunah by Rav Shimshon Pincus zt”l, Koveitz Maamarim by Rav Elchonon Wasserman zt”l, Pirkei Emunah by Rav Mordechai Gifter zt”l, and many others, this class offers a sophisticated analysis of the thirteen Principles of Faith and beyond. As emunah is the foundation of Judaism, Talmidim are encouraged to go beyond the simple understanding of these tenets of our faith and develop a real understanding of the core philosophical principles that guide the every day life of each and every Jew.

		Pirkei Avot *– Rav Mordechai Burg* This class presents the students with an innovative, in-depth analysis of the mishnayot in Avot wherein talmidim will learn how to break down mishnayot, utilizing both Rishonim and contemporary sources. The class is taught in an interactive fashion providing talmidim with an opportunity to develop a general weltanschauung, and a real life approach to their futures. Pirkei Avot touches upon almost every major area of Jewish thought exposing the talmidim to numerous topics they are unlikely to learn in any other forum.

		The Joy of Being a Jew – Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel Wenglin Let’s face it: it’s simply more exciting to go to a ballgame or a concert than it is to daven Shacharis. Or to wrap tefilin. Or to keep Shabbos. Or to… You get the point. In this shiur we will start with some basics of Jewish hashkafa and then progress to deeper ideas of Kabbalah/Chassidus to help us understand our selves and our relationship with Hashem. The world will slowly become for us a place that is filled with His holiness and wisdom, one-hundred percent suited for intense closeness and attachment to Him. Anticipated topics include truth, our deep desires in life, self-esteem, spiritual reality, emotions, davening, Shabbos, and much more. Experience shows that once a Jew gains a greater appreciation of deeper ideas in Judaism, his joy from being Jewish increases proportionately. Who knows, you might even walk away from this shiur knowing how to make an “asher yatzar” with the same simcha and passion as if you hit a walk-off homerun!

		The Joy of Being a Jew, Part II (Shana Bet Only) - Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel Wenglin You know the guys who leave college to go to the pros early? They always say, “I’ve accomplished all that I can at this level. It’s time to move on.” That’s JOBAJ Part II! It’s time to take your game to a new level. Like JOBAJ, we will work with deeper ideas of Kabbalah/Chassidut to help us understand ourselves and our relationship with Hashem, but in JOBAJ II there will be more focus on the spiritual building blocks of personal and spiritual growth. Shiurim will combine deep ideas with a practical focus to start us down the path of character rectification and balance in life. It is anticipated that we will learn practical tools to enable us to get along better with our selves, with other people, and with Hashem. You’re smiling with joy already, aren’t you?!

		Hashkafa and Emunah – Rav Shmuel Zucker In this shiur Talmidim cover the basic tenets of Jewish faith. We discuss the concepts of Emunah b”Hashem, bitachon b”Hashem, Techiyat Hameitim, Olam Haba and Mashiach. The class covers the fundamentals of Judaism that are often not addressed in school curricula. This class will present a series of שיעורים based on fundamental topics in Jewish thought and Hashkafa, including question and answer sessions.
HASHKAFA/HALACHA
		Lifecycles – Rav Mordechai Burg The Jewish calendar serves as a spiritual guide for how a Jew can grow over the course of a year. A person who truly experiences the Teshuva during Elul and the Days of Awe, and taps into the hidden lights of Chanuka will enrich his total Jewish experience. This exciting class gives an overview from both a halachic and hashkafic perspective of the lifecycle of a Jew bringing meaning to the events that occur throughout the year. Topics include Moadim, Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, Brit Milah, Pidyon Haben, Marriage, Tefilah, Chinuch Habanim, Rebuilding the Beit Hamikdash and more.

		Eyes Wide Open: An Analysis of G-d, Judaism, and The Role of Man in the World – Rav Daniel Steinherz In this shiur you must be ready to unlearn all that you have already learned. Talmidim take a frank and open look into the fundamental beliefs of Judaism and analyze their truths. Starting from G-d's existence, moving on to the reason for the world's creation, man's purpose, and eventually getting to Judaism’s ritual practices, we explore and find out the reasons for all that we believe and do. The shiur is a mix of open discussion, question and answer, and analysis of Talmudic and Midrashic sources.The shiur is open to all mature seekers of truth who want to walk the path of life with their eyes wide open.

		Humble Walks the Duck, But Its Eyes Are Turned To Heaven: The Hidden Metaphors of The Sages – Rav Daniel Steinherz At a turning point in time, Chazal decided to transfer the Halachic part of the Oral Torah to writing, lest it be forgotten forever. At the same time they faced an even more daunting challenge. What to do with the parts of Torah which deal with divine providence. Should these secrets fall into the wrong hands of the unlearned it could be disastrous. It was decided to transfer these secrets to enigmatic riddles and metaphors, forming the Aggadata, so that only those who hold the keys to unlock this knowledge could understand their depths. To the lamen they would simply look like ridiculous stories. In this shiur Talmidim take a look at some of the more enigmatic metaphors of Chazal and with the use of the great meforshei aggada such as, the Maharal, Vilna Goan, Ben Ish Chai, Maharsha, as well as others, we will attain the keys to unlock the secrets of the aggada.

		Path To Perfection: Human Growth Through the Words of Mesilat Yesharim (Shana Bet Only) - Rav Daniel Steinherz Two childhood friends meet and have a discussion about what it means to attain perfection. In his original text of the Mesilat Yesharim, the Ramchal brings to life man's struggle within - through this conversation. In this text-based shiur, Talmidim aspire to use the guidebook of the Ramchal as a map to find our way to the center of the hedge maze of life. In this class, we take the lessons of the Ramchal, and be”H, attain the ability to perfect our service to G-d, inter personal relationships, and become superhuman.
OTHER
		Tefilla – Rav Daniel Glanz Why do we have to Daven? Can we really make Hashem change His mind? How am I expected to concentrate when I don’t even understand the words I’m saying? Find clarity on these and other questions. Learn how sincere Tefilla can totally change your life, your relationship with Hashem and the world around you. Learn more about Jewish meditation and understand how it is such an important tool in your spiritual development and awareness. Once you're done here, you’ll be asking," Why do we only daven three times a day?!"