| Just as we study Halacha to know
how to function as Jews, we study Machshava to understand
why we function as Jews and how that life elevates us
and our world. At Arzei we will expose our students to
many of the classics of Jewish Philosophy including the
Rambam’s introductions to Mishna, Pirkei Avot and
Perek Chelek, Derech Hashem of R. Luzzato and the Kuzari.
Students will leave our program with a firm background
in the array of answers to some of the most basic questions
of what Hashem’s purpose was in creating the world
and how we can serve that purpose. Gemara
The more Gemara text one learns, the more they begin
to appreciate the method and structure of the Gemara.
Learning Gemara to gain a basic understanding of the
text (b’kiut) for its own sake, allows
a student to gain broad exposure to the Gemara’s
style. It is the goal of the Gemara learning at Arzei
that through the course of the year our students be
able to participate in and contribute to an
amud yomi (one side of a Gemara page, daily) shiur.
Included in that goal is the regular and frequent review
of the students’ learning and memorization of
the “shakla v’tarya” (back and forth
discussion) of the Gemara. In this way a large amount
of material can be covered, creating a familiarity with
the Gemara’s style while giving one a real sense
of accomplishment and satisfaction with learning. Through
this broad exposure to Gemara, coupled with thorough
review our students will leave our Yeshiva with the
tools to continue their learning in a meaningful and
realistic way as they continue on to university.
Chumash
& Nach
As we grow our learning experiences change. Many times
that means learning
new topics and being exposed to disciplines we were
heretofore unable to grasp. Other times we re-visit
areas we have already learned and appreciate them with
more sophistication and insight. While we begin learning
Chumash and Navi in grade school, our understanding
of these disciplines should grow with us as we turn
into adults.
There are two primary foci of the
Chumash and Nach curriculum. “Navigation”
skills or a high level of comfort with the various texts
and commentaries is the stepping off point for any serious
study of Tanach. Included in this skill set is a strong
familiarity with the basic story line of Tanach, where
to find various elements of the narrative as well as
the basis for the halachot and mitzvoth contained within
the text.
An understanding of the various Rishonim’s
style of commentary is the next
step in a students’ appreciation of serious Tanach
study. Basic translation of the commentaries is followed
by an introduction to comparing and contrasting the
different Rishonim’s styles and approaches to
ambiguities and anomalies within
the text.
Gemara/Contemporary
Halacha
“To learn in order to do”. That is considered
the highest level and purpose in learning. If one not
only knows what to do, but how the Halacha came to be
the way it is, how much greater is his understanding
and appreciation of his practice. Students at Arzei
will learn how to research contemporary halachik topics.
They
will learn how Halacha develops from the pesukim to
the Midrishei Halacha, Gemara, rishonim, achronim, Shulchan
Aruch and teshuvot.
Jewish
History
Being in Eretz Yisrael provides a unique opportunity
to allow Jewish History to come alive. Instead of merely
learning of the epic battles and contests that occurred
in Tanach, we can stand on a mountaintop and see the places
the
different armies massed and the geographical features
that affected the battle.
It is the ultimate multi-media presentation.
At Arzei, a basic piece of touring
gear is a Tanach. In preparation for a weekly
tiyul, our students will spend one hour a week learning
the history of the region we will be visiting that week.
They will then have the ability to reference back to
what they have learned as they see the actual places
referred to in the text. The tours will also take them
beyond the times of Tanach, and will range from events
in the time Avraham, through periods of the first and
second temples to the modern State of Israel.
Speech/Writing/Debating
Workshops
“And if I am only for myself, what am I?”
Everything students at Arzei learn will have as a natural
follow-up, some way of sharing their learning with others
in a formal, professional way. Thus, upon concluding
an area of study, students may explore how to present
and defend their ideas in a formal debate, write a well-formulated
and well-articulated d’var Torah, or present their
thoughts in a public address. All these formats will
include peer and mentor review as well as the opportunity
for the speakers to see their own performance on video
and engage
in self-critique.
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