Advanced Studies of Blessings I (JST-315) is a self-study course that culminates in a final examination. Students will become familiarized with the primary sources of halacha through Tur and Beis Yosef, gaining the ability to trace halacha to its source and identify the points of dispute among rishonim.  Students will demonstrate knowledge of the concepts and sources for complex laws of brachos and the ability to apply their knowledge of the halachic principles of brachos to various situations and analyze what rules come into play in any given case.  Topics will include the underlying meaning and reasons for blessings, dealing with cases of doubt, rules of saying “amen,” saying blessings on behalf of others, the proper sequence of blessings, and the criteria for which a blessing said on one item can exempt another item.