Course Offerings
The following courses are available for the 2008-2009 Academic Year. They are sorted by Program, then by day, and time.
School of Rabbinical Studies
School of Cantorial Arts
Courses Available to All Students
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Homiletics 201
Monday 11:00am-1:00pm
Instructor: Kushner
This required course is designed to give each student the skills necessary to adequately research, write and deliver sermons and divre Torah for congregational and other settings.
Essential Rabbinical Responsa
Monday 8:00pm-10:00pm
Instructor: Rosenberg
This required course will examine the most important rabbinic rulings and decisions over the centuries. We will also look at contrasting rabbinic responsa vis a vis the Orthodox, Conservative and Reform movements. This will allow students to learn how rabbinic rulings in the various movements promulgated and implemented.
Parshanut
Tuesday 8:30pm-10:00pm
Instructor: Rosenberg
As Nechama Leibowitz said, “the primary demand of parshanut is that it responds to the spirit, tone and intention of the narrative.” In this course we will examine the role that parshanut (traditional commentary) has played in helping us to better understand the Torah. Students will learn how to look at biblical text through eyes of the commentators as well as being encouraged to employ their own analysis.
Rabbinic Core I - Talmud
Wednesday 10:30am-12:30pm
Instructor: Rosenberg
This intensive study of rabbinic texts begins with tractate Berachot and continues with seder Mo’ed. This class is designed to give rabbinical students an appreciation and understanding of - and participation in - classic talmudic discourse. Topics from Berachot will include laws of the Shema, the Shmoneh Esray and Birkat Hamazon. From Mo’ed, we will delve into tractate Pesachim as well as issues concerning kiddush, havdalah, and laws regarding the celebration of the festivals.
Practical Rabbinics
Wednesday 8:00pm-10:00pm
Instructor: Kushner
The skills that will be developed in this course are essential to the congregational rabbi. Among subjects studied will be the officiating of Jewish weddings, funerals, unveilings, britot, baby namings, conversions, and b’nai mitzvah as well as other life cycle events.
Rabbinic Core II: Hilchot Shabbat
Friday 10:30am-12:30am
Instructor: Rosenberg
This course will focus on the laws and traditions of Shabbat with particular emphasis on the halakhic codes, drawn from traditional sources such as Maimonides and Caro.
Cantorial 301 Torah
Wednesday 1:00pm-2:30pm
Instructor: Rosenfeld
This course is designed for students who wish to improve their Torah reading and chanting skills.
Advanced Nusach - High Holy Days
Thursday 11:00am-12:30pm
Instructor: Zim
This three year course will examine the different modalities of music found in the services for the Yamim Noraim.
COURSES AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS
Hebrew I
Tuesday 9:30am-11:00pm
Instructor: Amar
This course is designed to give students a fundamental understanding of Biblical Hebrew both in writing and grammar. Students must have taken this course or demonstrate equivalency before taking any Mishnah, Gemara or Codes courses.
Hebrew II
Tuesday 11:30am-1:00pm
Instructor: Amar
Prerequisite: Hebrew I or equivalent. This class focuses on a more advanced understanding of Biblical and Rabbinic Hebrew.
Tefillah Practicum I
Thursday 9:30am-11:00am
Instructor: Zim
A two year course, which is required of all Rabbinic and Cantorial students, will provide a comprehensive understanding and practical application of davening skills necessary to function as a shaliach tzibbor. By the end of this course, each student will possess the proficiency needed to lead most Jewish worship services.
History of the Jewish People
Thursday 8:00pm-10:00pm
Instructor: Eisenstein
An examination of the plight of the Jewish people from the Golden Age of Spain through the Inquisition and researching the immigration patterns of both Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jews.
