Gemara Bekiut I

Rabbi Wolicki

This Gemara shiur focuses upon content and vocabulary, as well as the halachic and hashkafic issues presented by the Gemara. By the end of the year, students will have finished an entire masechet.

DAILY 3:15 PM

Gemara Bekiut II

Rabbi Wolicki

In this shiur, students have the opportunity to study a complete masechet, through independent preparation and review. There are also daily chazara sessions, allowing participants to review that which they learned, ensuring that they understand the Gemara correctly.

DAILY 3:15 PM

Chumash with Ramban

Rabbi Wolicki

Ramban was one of the most brilliant and prolific Rishonim, a unique scholar equally at home in Talmudic and philosophical discussions. His Torah commentary is perhaps the greatest expression of his genius, combining classic textual exegesis with tremendous insights into Jewish thought. This course teaches students how to properly study the ramban's commentary, and will investigate the deep ideas contained therein.

SUNDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY 4:15 PM

Chumash with Rashi

Rabbi Herczeg

The aim of this course is to impart to the students an approach to the study of Rashi based on the methods of the classical commentators such as Mizrachi, Gur Aryeh, and Maskil LeDavid. The format will be a combination of lectures on various aspects of Rashi, and working through Rashi’s commentary on selected passages of the Torah.

SUNDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY 4:15 PM

Halachah I – Hilchot Tefillah

Rabbi Wolicki

This shiur will systematically investigate Hilchot tefillah, using the Mishnah Berurah as a primary source, with supplemental material from modern poskim. Students will acquire the ability to learn through classic halachic sources on their own, as well as attain a strong knowledge of the laws of tefillah.

MONDAY, THURSDAY 4:15 PM

Halachah II – Contemporary Halachic Issues

Rabbi Krohn

In this course we will exploreh halachic topics that are particularly relevant to us in contemporary times. How should the concepts found in the Gemara and classical commentaries be applied to new situations? Join this stimulating class to explore halachic challenges presented by innovations in the field of medicine, Medinat Yisrael, industrial kashrut, and much more.

MONDAY, THURSDAY 4:15 PM

Jewish Philosophy

Rabbi Wolicki

Yesodei HaTorah’s philosophy curriculum enables students to acquire a sophisticated and deep understanding of the classic issues of Jewish thought. Using the Rambam’s thirteen principles of faith as a starting point, we will investigate the core problems and questions that underlie Jewish thinking, seeing classic texts from the Gemara, Rishonim, and Acharonim, and applying modern approaches as well, from thinkers like Rabbi Soloveitchik, Rav Kook, and others.

SUNDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY 5:15 PM

Nach I

Rabbi Greenberg

Yesodei’s Nach course is a unique, in-depth textual analysis of selected perakim throughout Tanach designed to teach students how to study Tanach in a thorough and deep manner. Utilizing the methodologies of Chazal, the Rishonim and contemporary Tanach scholars, students amass a full toolkit of analytical skills for approaching Tanach and uncovering the timeless hidden ideas and messages it contains.

MONDAY, THURSDAY 5:15 PM

Nach II

Rabbi Lichtman

This alternate Nach course offers students the opportunity to see a wide swath of Nevi’im and Ketuvim, by studying a large amount of material in a “bekiut” manner. Students will prepare on their own, and class time will be dedicated to review and to investigating certain perakim in greater depth.

MONDAY, THURSDAY 5:15 PM

Torah Research Skills

Rabbi Wolicki, Rabbi Arram, Rabbi Krohn

Students will acquire the ability to research Torah topics, in order to deliver meaningful and interesting divrei Torah, compose Torah articles, develop shiurim, and better understand the interplay between Chazal, the Rishonim, and the Acharonim. The course also includes a public speaking component where students deliver divrei Torah and/or chaburot which are then critiqued and discussed.

SUNDAY 7:45 PM

The Thought of Rav Kook

Rabbi Wolicki

Apart from his well-known approval of Religious Zionism, Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook had a tremendous grasp of modern philosophical trends, and he used this knowledge to confront some of the most pressing theological issues facing the Jewish People in the modern world. Each week, Rabbi Wolicki will study a self- contained idea of Rav Kook’s, drawn from the vast corpus of Rav Kook’s writings.

SUNDAY 9:15 PM

Biurei HaTefillah

Rabbi Arram

This shiur will offer a new approach to tefillah so that students will gain a greater appreciation for tefillah in general, and the specific tefillot we say in particular. Although the shiur primarily deals with the daily and Shabbat tefillot, we will also analyze the tefillot of the various chagim in anticipation of those days.

SUNDAY 9:15 PM

פלפול בסוגיות נבחרות בש“ס

Rabbi Chanan

סוגיות פיקנטיות בש״ס, וכן שאלות הגיון תלמודיות, מגדולי הראשונים והאחרונים. טוויסט נפלא לשעות הערב.

We will study some of the classic “sharp” sugyot in Shas, as well as various questions predicated upon Talmudic logic, raised by the great Rishonim and Acharonim. Join us for an intellectually stimulating adventure.

MONDAY, THURSDAY 4:15 PM

Kitzur Shulchan Aruch

Rabbi Kahn

This weekly chaburah gives students the opportunity to study the entire Kitzur Shulchan Aruch over the course of the yeshiva year. We will have a weekly meeting to review our progress, and specific assignments will be given for each day of the upcoming week so that by year’s end students will have learned the entire work, and will have gained a real understanding of basic halachic concepts.

MONDAY 7:45 PM

Talmudic Misogyny in Context

Rabbi Uri Cohen

At first glance, many statements of Chazal seem to reflect misogyny, or hatred of women. We attempt to resolve these issues by viewing each text in context. Whether this involves examining the Gemara’s words before and after the statement, parallel discussions elsewhere, or historical perspective, the context can reveal pshat and shed new light on the subject.

MONDAY 8:30 PM

שב שמעתתא

Rabbi Bergman

שב שמעתתא בארמית פירושו ”שבע סוגיות“ מכיון שהוא מחולק לשבעה נושאים. השיעור יהיה לפי סדר של הספר ובעז“ה נתחיל בשמעתתא א - שמדבר על מחלוקת הראשונים בספק דאורייתא שפוסקים לחומרא, האם זה מדרבנן או מדאורייתא ,ובעניין ספק טומאה ברשות היחיד, ספק טומאה ברשות הרבים, ספק ספיקא.

“Shev Shmaytta” is Aramaic for “Seven Sugyot,” as it is divided into seven topics. This shiur, which will progress systematically through the book, will begin with Part 1, dealing with the argument of the Rishonim regarding whether “safek d’Orayta l’chumra” is a Torah or Rabbinic law, the concept of “safek tumah”, and “safek sfeika.”

MONDAY 8:30 PM

Rabbi Dessler’s Michtav MeEliyahu

Rabbi Chaim Cohen

We will discuss the practical application of mussar ideas in today’s world. Topics will include the definition of free will, defining authentic giving, and the place of Torah learning in the modern world.

MONDAY 9:15 PM

Topics in Chassidut

Rabbi Kahn

The founders of the Chassidic movement were not only charismatic leaders, but also profound religious thinkers who developed new – and often radical – approaches toward the worship of G-d. This course will analyze some of the classics of Chassidic thought, with a special emphasis on the thought of the Baal HaTanya.

MONDAY 9:30 PM

Rambam Mishneh Torah

Rabbi Arram

We will study some of the most philosophically important and influential chapters of the Rambam’s classic Mishneh Torah, with an eye toward acquiring a deeper understanding of his approach to Torah and the Jewish People. Students will study the Rambam on their own; this chaburah will offer the deeper insights into that which they prepared.

TUESDAY 7:45 PM

נקודות לומדות בפרשה

Rabbi Chanan

There is infinite depth to the Torah. Together we will dive into the depths of the parashah, and gather the treasures contained within. This shiur is highly recommended for those who enjoy sharp thinking and fascinating chiddushim.

TUESDAY 7:45 PM

Jewish Thought

Rabbi Uri Cohen

Each week Rabbi Cohen offers a different topic in Jewish philosophy and thought, often determined weekly by the students themselves.

TUESDAY 8:30 PM

Gemara Bekiut- Advanced

Rabbi Asher

This shiur will provide a framework for those students who want to study an additional masechet in addition to those that we learn as part of the regular yeshiva curriculum. Students will learn a certain amount every day, and this weekly shiur will allow them to investigate a given sugya in greater depth.

TUESDAY 9:15 PM

A Nation in its Land

Rabbi Krohn

This shiur will use pashtut hamikra as a basis for discussing how the Chumash is a guidebook not only for each of us as individuals, but for Am Yisrael as a whole to dwell successfully in Eretz Yisrael. We will delve into stories as well as particular mitzvot to glean meaningful messages and, more importantly, practical lessons for creating a holistic Torah society.

THURSDAY 8:00 PM

Jewish-Christian Polemics

Mrs. Penina Taylor

A course in Tanach, with a twist. By the end of this course, students will have a new and unique understanding of missionary Christianity and why Jews are their biggest target. We will explore all of the major Christian proof-texts from the Tanach and gain a clear understanding of what the texts really mean and how Judaism answers Christianity’s claims.

THURSDAY 8:00 PM

Sicha Ruchanit

Mrs. Penina Taylor

Every week, Rabbi Kahn or Rabbi Wolicki give this yeshiva-wide talk, which focuses upon personal spiritual growth, and key Hashkafic issues affecting our students and the Jewish world.

THURSDAY 9:30 PM

Ulpan

Rabbi Chanan

We will work on conversational Hebrew, with the goal being reasonable fluency in the Hebrew language.

THURSDAY 10:15 PM

Mishmar Shiurim

Rabbi Kahn, Rabbi Wolicki, Rabbi Arram

Every week, Rabbi Kahn, Rabbi Wolicki, and Rabbi Arram give shiurim on various subjects, ranging from topics as diverse as “The End of Days” to “Akeidat Yitzchak: The Real Story” to “Who was Og Melech HaBashan?” These late-night shiurim, accompanied by cholent, rogelach, and other snacks, are among the highlights of the week for many students.

THURSDAY 10:30 PM

Topics in Hashkafa

Rabbi Herczeg

This shiur involves an investigation of traditional texts discussing issues in hashkafa such as the importance of learning Torah and especially Gemara, approaches to the study of aggadeta, theodicy, free will, and others.

SUNDAY 5:30 PM

Biographies of Gedolim

Rabbi Wolicki

Each week, Rabbi Wolicki presents the biography of one of the great thinkers of recent Jewish history, thereby enabling students to better appreciate the thought of these giants, and the personalities that underlie the Torah world of the past 150 years.

MONDAY 5:30 PM

The Thought of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov

Rabbi Arram

A systematic overview of Rebbe Nachman’s Torah with a view to applying it in our avodah. We will be studying selections from Likutei Moharan, Likutei Halachot and, of course, his stories and parables.

TUESDAY 5:30 PM

Machshava: How We Think About Unthinkables

Rabbi Arram

Some people understand the Shoah as the critical event in Jewish history – seeing the last century through its prism, as well as our relationship to G-d. This shiur will develop how Torah thinkers have examined shattering events in Jewish history, the Holocaust being the primary entry into the subject.

WEDNESDAY 5:30 PM

Nefesh HaChaim

Rabbi Kahn

The theology, philosophy, and culture that underlie the Modern Torah community is largely based upon the work of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, the founder of the famed Volozhin yeshiva. We will carefully analyze his most important work, Nefesh HaChaim, in order to understand its philosophical and Kabbalistic components, as well as the many ways that it has affected and shaped Orthodox Judaism today.

THURSDAY 5:30 PM