Version 1 and 2: This course is a study and analysis of the laws of blessings on food using the text of Mishnah B'rurah by the early twentieth century author Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radun. Topics include: blessings on fruits and vegetables; olive oil; the structure of the blessing; other categories of foods; water; vegetable soup; traditions regarding rice and soup; precedence of the seven species of Israel in blessings.

Version 1 and 2: This course is a study and analysis of the laws of meals using the text of Mishnah B'rurah by the early twentieth century author Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radun. Topics include: Friday afternoon services; mistakes during the Sabbath services; origins of Kiddush; the cup used for Kiddush; wine used for Kiddush; amount of wine needed for Kiddush; Kiddush in the Synagogue; the succession of the meal directly following Kiddush.

Versrion 1 and 2: This course is a study and analysis of the laws of the Sabbath using the text of Mishnah B'rurah by the early twentieth century author Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radun. Topics include: introduction to the concepts of cooking on Sabbath; the definition of cooking; differences between an oven and a stove in regard to cooking on the Sabbath; leaving food on the fire before the Sabbath in order for it to finish cooking on the Sabbath; cooking for an ill person on the Sabbath; returning previously cooked foods to the fire on the Sabbath; mixing hot and cold water.

This course is a study of the origins of Jewish Law using the text of Minchat Chinuch. Topics include: the Biblical requirement to have children; circumcision; gid hanasheh; the New Moon; the bringing of the pascal lamb; recitation of Kiddush on the Sabbath; the redemption of the first born donkey.

This course is a study of the origins of Jewish Law using the text of Minchat Chinuch. Topics include: the blowing of the shofar; writing of a Torah Scroll; circumcision; the establishment of the New Moon; protecting one's life by killing; honoring one's parents; the eating of the Pascal lamb; the kingdom of Judah; the building of the Altar in theTabernacles.

This course is a study of the origins of Jewish Law using the text of Minchat Chinuch. Topics include: returning of lost items; laws of procreation; artificial insemination; laws of circumcision; prohibition of consuming the sciatic nerve; significance of Rabbinic laws; severity of misleading others; sanctification of God's name.

This course is a study and analysis of the sequence of traits leading to holiness using the text of Mesilat Yesharim. Topics include: introduction to the author and text; the study of ethics; righteousness versus wisdom; purpose of creation; man's goal in this world; physical and spiritual nature of man; true perfection; the world to come; watchfulness; self-evaluation.

This course is a study and analysis of personal development using the text of Orchot Tzaddikim. Topics include: introduction to the author and the book; pride; humility; shame; arrogance; love; hatred; mercy; cruelty; joy; worry; regret; anger; acquiescence.

A study and analysis of Shaarei T'shuvah by the medieval author and philosopher Rabbi Yonah of Geronah. The course covers an overview of the commandments, origin of repentance, an analysis of the requirements of repentance, and a detailed breakdown of the twenty principles of repentance. Topics include: Rabbeinu Yonah, the man and his times; background to Shaarei T'shuvah; Biblical origins t'shuva; individual obligation to repent; twenty principles of repentance; regret; forsaking the sin; humility; confession; prayer; motivations to repentance; the ten days of repentance; nine considerations for immediate perfection; the commandments; rabbinical edicts; honoring one's parents; interest and usury; giving proper advice.

This course is a study and analysis of the Five Books of Moses in their original Hebrew text. This is the first year of a four year analysis of the biblical text. The first section of each parsha is covered. Topics include: analysis of Amalek; Rosh Hashanah as a Day of Judgment; interpersonal relationships; Noah's punishment for tardiness; Joseph and his brothers; the tenth day of Teves; the Exodus; Ephraim and Menashe.

This course is a study and analysis of the Five Books of Moses in their original Hebrew text. Topics include: creation; the concept of chesed in the Ark; the taking of Sarah; Akeidas Yitzchok; the blessing of Jacob; the Bris Bein HaBesarim; the Exodus from Egypt; the purpose of the plagues; the saying of Ohz Yashir by splitting of the Red Sea; the Ten Commandments.

This course is a study and analysis of the Five Books of Moses in their original Hebrew text. This is the fourth and final year of a four year analysis of the biblical text. The fourth section of each parsha is covered. Topics include: Analysis of the prohibition to wear Shatnez; understanding the concept of a treaty; Yom Kippur as a day of redemption; the symbolism of the Ark of Noah as a vehicle to alter the direction of the world; judging people favorably; the nation of Edom; Jacob's prayer at the mount of Moriah; the tribes of Joseph and Benjamin; a comparison between the song of Deborah and the song of Moses.

Version 1: The first chapter of the Tractate Bava Kammah discusses the laws of damages, including the sources for requirement of payments, and various applications and damages. Studentsprepare the applicable Talmudic texts as well as the major halachic opinions of the rishonim and acharonim and the opinions of various other commentaries and decisors. The instructor guides students in understanding the issues raised and assists them to deduce and elucidate the crux of these issues. Topics include: the obligation to pay for damages done to the property of others; concept that a punishment can only be derived directly from the biblical text; false witnesses; personal objects doing damage in the public domain; refuse causing damage. NOTE: This tractate is studied by all students in a given semester. While the scope of instruction is the same, the depth of study depends upon what level the student is in. Version 2: Topics are the same as the earlier version. Only one credit recommendation level is now in effect.

The first chapter of the Tractate Gittin discusses the laws of divorce, including writing of the divorce contract, delivery of said contract validity of contracts written in foreign lands, number of witnesses needed, and type of witnesses required. The instructor guides students in understanding the issues raised and assists them to deduce and elucidate the crux of these issues. Topics include: overview of the writing of the divorce contract; delivery of said contract; discussion regarding validity of contracts written in foreign lands; number of witnesses needed; type of witnesses required; discussion of whether the proxy can act as a witness; in depth analysis of the acceptance of the husband's argument about the validity of the divorce contract.

Version 1: The first half of the first chapter of the Tractate Kiddushin discusses the laws of getting married, including the various methods of the ceremonial acquisition and sources for many of the aspects of the marriage process. Students prepare the applicable Talmudic texts as well as the major halachic opinions of the rishonim and acharonim and the opinions of various other commentaries and decisors. The instructor guides students in understanding the issues raised and assists them to deduce and elucidate the crux of these issues. Topics include: methods used in the marriage procedure; analysis of the money used; rights of a father in his daughter's marriage; the language used in a marriage ceremony; using a loan to marry; marriage using the principle of a guarantor; evaluating items used for marriage; comparison of concepts used in marriage and divorce. NOTE: This tractate is studied by all students in a given semester. While the scope of instruction is the same, the depth of study depends upon what level the student is in. Version 2: Topics are the same as the earlier version. Only one credit recommendation level is now in effect.

The first chapter of the Tractate Makkos discusses the laws of Zomemim witnesses, who are guilty of a specific kind of false testimony and are punished with the very same consequence they had planned to inflict upon their victims - reciprocal punishment; extensive study of the various disqualifications that may render witnesses or testimony invalid. The instructor guides students in understanding the issues raised and assists them to deduce and elucidate the crux of these issues. 

Version 1: The first chapter of the Tractate Yevamot discusses the laws of levirate marriages, including various cases of exemption from the requirement of the levirate marriage and a fundamental study of the framework of the marriage itself. Students prepare the applicable Talmudic texts as well as the major halachic opinions of the rishonim and acharonim and the opinions of various other commentaries and decisors. The instructor guides students in understanding the issues raised and assists them to deduce and elucidate the crux of these issues. Topics include: the concept of levirate marriages; discussion of the fifteen relatives with whom a levirate marriage is forbidden; exemption of a co-wife in the marriage of a brother to a relative; Biblical sources for the exemptions of relatives; rule of positive commandments pushing aside negative commandments; nature of this rule; Yibum with a Sotah wife. NOTE: This tractate is studied by all students in a given semester. While the scope of instruction is the same, the depth of study depends upon what level the student is in. Version 2: Topics are the same as the earlier version. Only one credit recommendation level is now in effect.

Version 1: The third and fourth chapters of Tractate Bava Kammah focuses on property damages done by negligence and the damage done by one's chattel. Students prepare the applicable Talmudic texts as well as the major halachic opinions of the rishonim and acharonim, and the opinions of various other commentaries and decisors. The instructor guides students in understanding the issues raised and assists them to deduce the crux of these issues. Topics  include: application of the Talmudic rule of following the majority; defining the parameters of damages caused by a pit; liability for workplace injuries; laws pertaining to court appointed guardians; laws regarding an animal that damages. NOTE: This tractate is studied by all students in a given trimester. While the scope of instruction is the same, the depth of study depends upon what level the student is in. Version 2:Topics are the same as the earlier version. Only one level credit recommendation level is now in effect.

Version 1: The fourth chapter of Tractate Gittin focuses on divorce by proxy and ways to acquire and free slaves. Students prepare the applicable Talmudic texts as well as the major halachic opinions of the rishonim and acharonim, and the opinions of various other commentaries and decisors.The instructor guides students in understanding the issues raised and assists them to deduce the crux of these issues. Topics include: overview of the laws of proxy; process of appointing a proxy; understanding the authority of a proxy in the divorce process; outline of the laws of taking an oath in court; discussion of the legal ramifications of the sabbatical and jubilee years; the concept of collateral in Talmudic law. Version 2: Topics are the same as the earlier version. Only one credit recommendation level is now in effect.

Version 1: The first half of the second chapter of Tractate Kiddushin focuses on the various legal aspects of marriage, including the use of agents and conditional marriages. Students prepare the applicable Talmudic texts as well as the major halachic opinions of the rishonim and acharonim, and the opinions of various other commentaries and decisors. The instructor guides students in understanding the issues raised and assists them to deduce the crux of these issues. Topics include: getting married using an agent; redivision of assets using a court appointed trustee; evaluation of properties by the courts; misappropriation of property by a guardian; jurisdiction of a father over his daughter; sale of a Jewish maidservant; return of monies insufficient to aggregate to one marriage agreement; the sale of loans of indebtedness; the writing of legal documents; the validity of unexpressed intentions; kiddushin where cohabitation is illegal. NOTE: This tractate is studied by all students in a given trimester. While the scope of instruction is the same, the depth of study depends upon what level the student is in. Version 2: Topics are the same as the earlier version. Only one credit recommendation level is now in effect.

The first chapter of Tractate Makkos discusses the laws of Zomemim Witnesses, who are guilty of a specific kind of false testimony and are punished with the very consequences they had planned to inflict upon their victims - reciprocal punishment; extensive study of the various disqualifications that may render witnesses or their testimony invalid. Students prepare the applicable Talmudic texts as well as the major halachic opinions of the rishonim and acharonim, and the opinions of various other commentaries and decisors. The instructor guides students in understanding the issues raised and assists them to deduce the crux of these issues.

Version 1: The fourth chapter of Tractate Yevamot focuses on the ceremony of Chalitzah and other issues relevant to the chalitzah process. Students prepare the applicable Talmudic texts as well as the major halachic opinions of the rishonim and acharonim, and the opinions of various other commentaries and decisors. The instructor guides students in understanding the issues raised and assists them to deduce the crux of these issues. Topics include: performing a levirate marriage or Chalitzah to a widow within 30 days of her husband's death; questionable paternity of an offspring; status of collection of a Ketubah; lack of proper intention in marriage; Rabbinic ordinances concerning the relatives of a Chalutza; reasons for a waiting period for marriage of a nursing mother; comparison of private mourning periods to public mourning periods; forbidden unions which produce a Mamzer; tainted lineage produced from illicit cohabitation prohibited by a negative commandment. NOTE: This tractate is studied by all students in a given trimester. While the scope of instruction is the same, the depth of study depends upon what level the student is in. Version 2: Topics are the same as the earlier version. Only one credit recommendation level is now in effect.

A study and analysis of Mesilat Yesharim by the eighteenth century Jewish thinker, playwright, and poet Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato, as well as commentaries on the various concepts discussed. Topics include: the trait of purity; the trait of saintliness; the love of God; saintliness in actions; humility; fleeing honor; fearing sin; fear of punishment; fear of divine majesty; holiness in mundane matters.

A study and analysis of Shaarei T'shuvah by the medieval author and ethicist Rabbi Yonah of Geronah. The course covers an overview of the commandments, origin of repentance, an analysis of the requirements of repentance, and a detailed breakdown of the twenty principles of repentance. Topics include: the commandments; rabbinical edicts; honoring one's parents; interest and usury; giving proper advice; charity; soothsaying; oppressing; taking bribes; forfeiting one's portion in the world to come; excision.

A study of the laws and customs of a wedding ceremony and the seven-day subsequent celebration period. Topics include: the engagement; the pre-marriage sabbath celebration; guarding the bridge and groom; fasting on the wedding day; the officiator; the ketubah; the amount of the ketubah; witnessing the ketubah.

A study of the laws and customs of a wedding ceremony and the seven-day subsequent celebration period. Topics include: Ashkenazic and Sephardic customs during the wedding ceremony; giving of the ring; the seven-day post-nuptial celebration period; new guests; grace after meals during the seven-day celebration period; the wine used.

The second chapter of the Tractate Baba Mezia deals with the obligation to return a lost object to its owner, establishing when one may keep it or must announce the found object and locate the owner. Students prepare the applicable Talmudic texts as well as the major halachic opinions of the rishonim and acharonim and the opinions of various other commentaries and decisors. The instructor guides students in understanding the issues raised and assists them to deduce and elucidate the crux of these issues. Topics include: categories of lost objects and their return; giving up hope of return of lost objects; eventual knowledge and factual knowledge; exemptions to obligations to return lost objects; rules of susceptibility of objects to impurity; reconciling elements of scriptural sources; reclaiming of lost objects; methods of proof of ownership; intentional abandonment of property; claiming of lost objects through recognition; classes of lost objects which must be returned; finding an object in a package; minimum value of a lost object requiring its return. NOTE: This tractate is studied by all students in a given trimester. While the scope of instruction is the same, the depth of study depends upon what level the student is in.

The sixth chapter of Tractate Baba Mezia discusses laws regarding hiring of workers and the renting of domestic animals and the various rights and responsibilities of a worker vis-a-vis his employer. Students prepare the applicable Talmudic texts as well as the major halachic opinions of the rishonim and acharonim, and the opinions of various other commentaries and decisors. The instructor guides students in understanding the issues raised and assists them to deduce the crux of these issues. Topics include: responsibilities and rights of workers; meeting job commitments; breech of trust between employer and employee and amongst employees; parameters of laborers versus contractors; workers abandoning a job; compensation for canceled jobs; compliance in rental stipulations; watchmen and their responsibilities; when borrower's responsibility becomes effective; using a borrowed object together with the owner; guarding a watched object. NOTE: This tractate is studied by all students in a given trimester. While the scope of instruction is the same, the depth of study depends upon what level the student is in.

The eighth chapter of Tractate Baba Mezia discusses the legal responsibility of a borrower for the object borrowed. Questions of doubt in ownership arising during an exchange of property are discussed, as well as the rights and responsibilities of renters. Students prepare the applicable Talmudic texts as well as the major halachic opinions of the rishonim and acharonim, and the opinions of various other commentaries and decisors. The instructor guides students in understanding the issues raised and assists them to deduce the crux of these issues. Topics include: discussion of the norm when using a borrowed object together with the owner; prohibition against cursing one's parents; various responsibilities of watchmen; linguistic analysis of added letters in the Torah; purchasing land rights to produce; responsibilities of a husband toward a wife's property; exemption of a borrower for responsibility for the borrowed object; settlement of objects in dispute; using the property of the Holy Temple; case method of deciding Jewish law; eviction of tenants; requirements of mezuzah; payments of rentals; disputes between landlords and tenants; redemption of the first born; responsibility of landlord versus tenant for structural damage of a rental house. NOTE: This tractate is studied by all students in a given trimester. While the scope of instruction is the same, the depth of study depends upon what level the student is in.

The first chapter of the Tractate Ketubot discusses the legal principles of marriage, as well as the legal applications of these principles in relations between man and woman in marriage. The issues raised analyze and elucidate the underlying principles of the marital relationship. Students prepare the applicable Talmudic texts as well as the major halachic opinions of the rishonim and acharonim and the opinions of various other commentaries and decisors. The instructor guides students in understanding the issues raised and assists them to deduce and elucidate the crux of these issues. Topics include: cases of doubt; origin of the ketubah; deciding Jewish law; conversions; marriage customs; ketubah of a priest; statutory and supplemental provisions of a ketubah; civil matters and judgements. NOTE: This tractate is studied by all students in a given trimester. While the scope of instruction is the same, the depth of study depends upon what level the student is in.

The fifth chapter of Tractate Ketubot discusses the various rights and responsibilities of husband and wife in marriage. Students prepare the applicable Talmudic texts as well as the major halachic opinions of the rishonim and the opinions of various other commentaries and decisors. The instructor guides students in understanding the issues raised and assists them to deduce the crux of these issues. Topics include: amount of ketubah - statutory and supplemental; property liens for a ketubah; the gifts bequeathed in extremis; waiver of otherwise illegal stipulations in monetary matters; 12 month preparation; principles of determining intent; parameters of spousal support; property of the Holy Temple; child custody practices; fetal influences during pregnancy; levirate marriage; maintenance of a wife through an agent; child support laws and customs. NOTE: This tractate is studied by all students in a given trimester. While the scope of instruction is the same, the depth of study depends upon what level the student is in.

The eight and ninth chapters of Tractate Ketubot discusses the various rights and responsibilities of husband and wife in marriage, in particular, the rights of a husband to use the property of the wife while they are married. Students prepare the applicable Talmudic texts as well as the major halachic opinions of the rishonim and the opinions of various other commentaries and decisors. The instructor guides students in understanding the issues raised and assists them to deduce the crux of these issues. Topics include: usage of wife's property; investing a wife's monies; laws of profits; assessing property; property sales with liens; delayed transfer of ownership; levirate marriages; hierarchy of creditors; prenuptial agreements; conditions contrary to Biblical and Rabbinic law; lost ketubah. NOTE: This tractate is studied by all students in a given trimester. While the scope of instruction is the same, the depth of study depends upon what level the student is in.

A study and analysis of the Five Books of Moses in their original Hebrew text. Topics include: analysis of darkness; sibling rivalry and jealousy; discussion of the miracle of Hanukkah; good and evil inclinations; the bondage in Egypt; the plagues; Passover; the four questions of the Seder; languages of redemption; the difference between slavery and servitude; the dispute between Arizal and the Raavad.

A study and analysis of the Bible in its original Hebrew text. Topics include: analysis of Abraham and Noach; masseh avot siman lebanim; visit of angels to Abraham; dialogue between Abraham and Ephron; payment for Machpelah cave; personalities of Jacob and Esau; sale of patrimony of first born; Joseph's dreams; Jacob's burial in Israel; exclusion of the tribe of Levi from bondage.

A study and analysis of the Bible in its original Hebrew text. Topics include: personal redemption on Passover; the ten plagues in Egypt; the splitting of the Red Sea; leprosy; circumcision; the Tabernacle; the lighting of the menorah; Joshua, the servant of Moses; the incenses.