Yeshivot tend to emphasize the halakhic sections of Talmud more than the non- legal portions of Talmud.  This shiur will focus on this unduly neglected aggadic material, a rich treasure trove of ethical and spiritual insight.  We shall utilize traditional commentaries to find profound readings of the stories, ethical maxims, and psychological advice found in Chazal.   read more

In this class we will follow the path of the modern-day posek and discover, through the texts that he would have used, the modern application of our previously established halachic rulings. Averaging a new question every two classes, we will learn through the relevant texts, understand the principle to be gleaned from each of them and then apply them, step-by-step, to our halachic query. PLEASE NOTE: This class read more

Students will learn the Gemara through analysis of various Rishonim (medieval commentaries) and their relationship to the Gemara and the role they play in learning the text. Conceptual issues of the Gemara will be examined including a basic introduction to the role the Achronim (latter commentaries) play in the Halachic system.  Questions such as, “Who are the Achronim, what do they do, and who do they comment on?” will be read more

A basic-level gemara shiur that aims primarily to improve the student's ability to logically parse a gemara sugya. For the first months of the zman, the emphasis is almost exclusively on reading the gemara text, and using parallel gemara sources for understanding specific concepts. Rashi's commentary is used only sparingly, for informational purposes. Later on in the zman, the shiur will begin to focus more on understanding Rashi's approach as read more

This shiur is for advanced, capable learners with a broad, in-depth knowledge of Torah She-Baal Peh. read more

We will look study several Halachic sugyot which shed light on Chazal's attitudes towards gender and sexuality. We will specifically look at how contemporary Poskim relate to changing attitudes in this realm.

Among the topics to be covered: Preparing for Shabbat, the use of video moniters, timers, and diapers/nappies.

Participants are encouraged to suggest other topics of interest to them. For each topic we will focus on the opinions of the leading authorities. PLEASE NOTE: This class needs a minimum of 10 registered and paying students in order to ensure its continuation.

Using Rambam's introduciton to the Mishna as our guide, we'll explore how the Oral Law came to be from the moment Moshe came down from the mountain, thourgh the Talmud, and beyond. PLEASE NOTE: This class requires a minimum of 10 paying students in order to ensure its continuation this zman. read more

This beginner Gemara course is concerned with imparting to the students a basic understanding of the nature of Torah she’bal Peh (oral law) and Gemara . The two focal points of the course are: firstly an in depth look at just what the Gemara is, placing it in historical context - how it evolved and was edited as well as understanding the layout of the page read more

An overview of major topics in Modern Jewish history, including Emancipation and Enlightenment, and their impacts on Jewish life, culture, and observance; Zionism and the State; Modern anti-Semitism and the Holocaust. This ambitious agenda will be pursued through an encounter with primary sources, and with thinking about how our lives as contemporary, religious Jews is affected by the events of the past 250 years. read more

Written by Rebbe Nosson of Breslov, Rebbe Nachman's leading disciple, Likkutei Halachot explores the deeper meaning and connection between the laws of the Shulchan Aruch and the teachings of Rebbe Nachman's great work of hassidic thought, the Likkutei Moharan. read more

This shiur is open to serious students with a solid foundation in gemara learning and a high level of commitment and motivation in their studies. Students will be expected to prepare materiel for shiurim in advance and to attend classes regularly. The regular gemara shiur will take place three days a week. In addition, twice a week, Rabbi Brovender will meet with a pre-selected group of three read more

This shiur is open to students with little background in gemara learning but who have a high level of commitment and motivation in their studies. Students will be expected to prepare materiel for shiurim in advance and to attend classes regularly. The regular gemara shiur will take place three days a week. In addition, once a week, Rabbi Pransky will meet with a pre-selected group of three read more

This shiur is open to students with little background in gemara learning but who have a high level of commitment and motivation in their studies. Students will be expected to prepare materiel for shiurim in advance and to attend classes regularly. The regular gemara shiur will take placethree days a week. In addition, twice a week, Rabbi Meyers will meet with a pre-selected group of three read more

In this class we will examine Megillat Eicha, traditionally read on Tisha B'av, the day of the destruction of the Temple. We will look into the text and explore both the simple and the deeper levels of the words, using Midrash and other commentaries, and attempt to uncover the deeper meaning in the verses lamenting the destruciton of the Temple in Jerusalem.

For many, both Midrash and Aggada are a black box when they try to figure out what their ultimate purpose is. Are Midrashim arbitrary expansions of Biblical narrative? What are these aggadot supposed to teach us? Why is a story more viscerally compelling than a systematic moral code?  There is method to Midrash and Aggada, and this course will seek to uncover it. PLEASE NOTE: This class needs a minimum read more

to come read more

This class will study Maimonides' major philosophical work, The Guide for the Perplexed. It is considered to be the most influential book of medieval Jewish philosophy.

Halacha dominates our religious practice. There are elements of halacha which are clearly of mystical or supernatural nature. Does halacha demand that we conform to such mystical or supernatural practices? What should one do when halacha conflicts with the instructions of the Zohar or related mystical works? We will examine the opinions of the great authorities regarding specific issues, such as: heavenly voices (bat read more

Along with the Golem, the Maharal of Prague was a seminal influence on Modern Chasidut, and the philosophy of Rav Kook. His novel approach to Jewish learning and his understanding of the nature of Torah, are as compelling as they are provocative. We will be using his text Nativ Torah (Pathway of Torah) which outlines what the nature of Torah is and how it manifests itself in the world. PLEASE read more

This class will study the Parshat HaShavua (weekly Torah portion) using Chassidic meforshim (commentators) as well as others to convey an interesting and deep understanding of our times through the study of the weekly Torah parsha. PLEASE NOTE: This class requires a minimum of 10 paying students in order to ensure its continuation this zman.

Pirkei Avot ("The Ethics of Our Fathers") is one of the best known and most cited of Jewish texts. This beloved tractate of the Mishna composed of ethical maxims of the Rabbis is familiar for such maxims as "If I am only for myself, who am I?" (1:14) and "Say little and do much" (1:15). Rabbi Brovender will examine and teach a different chapter of Pirkei Avot each week, following the read more

This class will study the Makot (Ten Plagues) with the commentaries of Rashi, Ibn - Ezra, Ramban and further Rishonim (medieval commentaries). Skills in exegesis (critical interpretation of different approaches to Pshat - the simple interpretation of the text) will be developed and students will learn to decipher the limits to determining Pshat. Additional references will include Achronim (latter commentaries), Netziv, Meshech Chochmah, and read more

In this class we will learn the entire first book of Shmuel. We will begin each new chapter with a quick, independent reading of the text; this process will help us familiarize ourselves with the chapter’s general contents. We will then analyze more deeply, using only selected excerpts, specific pesukim of that chapter and cross-referenced sections throughout the rest of Tanakh, the chapter’s specific themes and ideas, while also appreciating read more

This class will study Sefer Shmuel (Samuel), with relevant commentaries. Students will learn to think about the text themselves, and what the narratives mean, as well as hone their skills in exegesis. Where relevant we will take a more b'iyun (in depth) approach to some of the subjects, looking at a broader range of sources including Talmud, Rishonim and Achronim.

This course is intended for beginning students and those with little experience learning Jewish texts. The object of this course is to begin building an infrastructure of both grammar and textual skills for independent study. In this course you will learn more about how to uncover the roots of Hebrew words, learn vowel patterns, word constructions, vocabulary, and grammar fundamentals. The course of study brings the learning of Hebrew read more

This semester we will explore the concept of Divine Providence, hashgacha pratit, through the eyes of the sages of Kabbala and chassidut. Our goal will be to expand our understanding of this primary idea in Jewish thinking, how the hand of God is revealed in our personal lives. We will offer principles and guidelines for understanding this most esoteric of ideas, and learn techniques read more

Gedolim agree that one of the most important areas to focus on in our troubled times is Ahavat Yisrael. It is the antidote to the sinat chinam that destroyed the Beit HaMikdash and sent us into exile.

According to Chazal, just as the Redemption from Egypt happened in the merit of the righteous women, so too the Final Redemption will also occur read more