Judaic Studies: Tanakh and Talmud

Judaic Studies

Tanakh and Talmud

Talmud Torah is a core value of The Leffell School. We seek to imbue students with an intellectual and emotional connection to the central texts of our tradition. To that end, in grades nine, ten, and eleven, students take core courses in Tanakh and Talmud. The goals of this core curriculum are to expose students to the essential themes and texts of our tradition, and for students to develop the skills to become independent, lifelong learners.

Once students have completed the core curriculum in Tanakh and Talmud they have the opportunity to explore additional Jewish texts and topics through our elective program. These elective courses include a wide variety of themes within the world of Judaic studies, as well as one required course in the study of Jewish history. The sections below provide curricular details about the core curriculum in Tanakh and Talmud and the elective offerings in junior and senior year.

All courses in Tanakh and Talmud are taught on a variety of levels in order to support the learning needs and Hebrew language levels of students. One or more sections of Tanakh classes in each year will be taught Ivrit b’Ivrit, with Hebrew as the language of instruction.

The Akiva Program

The Akiva program is designed for students who have not previously attended a Jewish day school. Akiva supports the needs of beginning learners of Hebrew and Jewish texts by immersing them in foundational narratives, ideas, and ritual practices. In ninth and tenth grades, Akiva students study together in specifically focused Akiva classes. These classes prepare students to read and decode texts in Hebrew, as well as explore the seminal stories and mitzvot (commandments) of the Jewish people. After sophomore year, Akiva students who are ready, have the option of switching into mainstream Judaic studies classes. Akiva students who are particularly motivated and well prepared may be able to switch into mainstream Judaic studies classes even earlier if desired.

Tanakh 9

The Birth of a Family

In this course, students will trace the journey of Abraham as the progenitor of a tribe. They will think critically about the family relationships described in Bereshit, Genesis — from Adam and Eve to Joseph and his brothers. Students will be encouraged to evaluate these relationships and use the narratives of Bereshit as a guide for their own development. Additionally, students will understand how the struggles and lessons learned within these relationships are the basis for the creation of a nation.

Students will gain facility with biblical Hebrew, practice the skills of close reading using the tools of literary analysis, as well as classical rabbinic commentary and contemporary critical methods to enhance their understanding of the text.

Tanakh 10

The Creation of a Nation

This course will trace the development of the nascent Israelite nation from slavery to freedom, from serving Pharaoh to serving God. Through a close reading of the book of Shemot, Exodus, we will delve into the central story of the Jewish people, discover how the Israelites respond to the new opportunities and responsibilities that come with freedom, and explore the origins and meaning of Passover with the goal of enriching our celebrations today.

Students will continue to gain facility with biblical Hebrew with the goal of reading the text in the original. They will continue to practice the skills of close reading using the tools of literary analysis, as well as classical rabbinic commentary and contemporary critical methods to enhance their understanding of the text.

Tanakh 11

The Growth of a Nation (First Semester)

The book of Bamidbar, Numbers will be the basis of study as students discover how the Torah instructs the Israelite community to be in relationship with God and each other. Starting after the giving of the commandments, the journey of our people to nationhood and autonomy is not linear, but passes through many stages of development — progress and regress. In this course, we will explore the maturation of a society, the human relationship to authority, and the struggle with faith.

Students will continue to build on the skills of close reading focusing on understanding the text in Hebrew, literary analysis, and classical and modern commentary.

Neviim: The Story of a People in its Land

With the death of Moshe in Devarim, the role of leader takes on new forms and leaders face new challenges as the Israelites leave the wilderness and establish themselves amidst foreign nations in the promised land. The books of Neviim (Prophets) grapple with the questions of how the new nation will be governed, worship God, and maintain a distinct identity in the new land. In this period, the prophet plays a central role as the messenger of God and moral conscience to the king and nation. We will study the prophet’s role in governing the moral and spiritual soul of the people. We will consider the timeless words of the prophets, their relevance for our own time and ask: Who fulfills the role of prophet today?

Talmud 9

In ninth grade, students can pursue several different paths within our Talmud program, including Beit Midrash Talmud, a combination of core and elective courses, and Akiva Talmud for students who are new to Jewish Day School. This approach allows for individualization and the pursuit of each student’s interests, while assuring a strong foundation in rabbinic literature and Judaic Studies more broadly for all students.

Beit Midrash Talmud

Built on the seder/shiur model, this option is geared toward students who prefer traditional-style, focused study of a particular masechet (tractate) each semester, with attention paid to the Talmud itself, as well as Rashi and Tosafot, while building up the skills and vocabulary necessary for strong, independent learning. Each sugya will be approached beginning with the Mishnah, into the Gemara with an emphasis on understanding technical terms, background concepts, the flow of the argument, and medieval and modern commentaries.

First Semester Core: The Rabbinic Revolution

This course will introduce students to the historical era when the Mishnah and Talmud were developed, focusing on the stories of the destruction of the Second Temple and the revolutionary innovations of the first generations of rabbis. Students will develop core Mishnah text and analytical skills and engage in intensive study of selected passages of Gemara, developing the language and critical-thinking skills necessary for studying the Talmud.

Second semester: Elective options

America and Israel: Where should a Jew call home?

This semester-long course explores the relationship between the Jews of the Diaspora and the land and people of Israel. Looking at classic texts of Masechet Kiddushin and Masechet Ketubot, we will seek to understand how the earliest rabbinic leaders understood their connection to Zion. Through this lens, students will formulate the role of the modern State of Israel in their own lives.

Ethical Dilemmas in the Talmud: How should we behave?

This semester-long course unpacks a series of ethical concerns through basic rabbinic texts: how Jews are meant to handle business interactions, changing our appearance, and interpersonal relationships. This course is text-based but designed thematically, with less focus on text skills and more on project-based learning.

Talmud 10

In 10th grade, students can pursue several different paths within our Talmud program, including Beit Midrash Talmud, a combination of core and elective courses, and Akiva Talmud for students who are new to Jewish Day School. This approach allows for individualization and the pursuit of each student’s interests, while assuring a strong foundation in rabbinic literature and Judaic Studies more broadly for all students.

Beit Midrash Talmud - Year 2

Built on the seder/shiur model, this option is geared toward students who prefer traditional-style, focused study of a particular masechet (tractate) each semester, with attention paid to the Talmud itself, as well as Rashi and Tosafaot, while building up the skills and vocabulary necessary for strong, independent learning. Each sugya will be approached beginning with the Mishnah, into the Gemara with an emphasis on understanding technical terms, background concepts, the flow of argument, and medieval and modern commentaries.

Development of Rabbinic Thought: Creating Law through Interpretation

This course builds upon the knowledge and skills taught in the ninth grade. Students will learn whole sugyot (Talmudic sections), which explore the development of Rabbinic thought. The goal is to build a student’s ability to analyze the texts and recognize Rabbinic methods of interpretation. We will explore how the Rabbis establish the authority and boundaries of their legal system, particularly related to the values of human life and dignity.

Talmud 11 (first semester)

For Whom Are We Responsible? Jewish Identity in a Larger World

This semester-long course is designed to build on the students’ previous experience with the Talmud. Students will continue to study traditional Jewish texts, building their critical-thinking skills, and furthering their understanding of Rabbinic thought. Through topical study of Jewish texts, students will explore their identity as Jews. They will be pushed to question the roles they play and the relationships they form within their own communities, and within the larger world context. Topics of study may vary from level to level.

Judaic Studies Electives (Second Semester)

Elective offerings vary from year to year based on student interest. The following courses have been offered during the past few years.

Facing History and Ourselves

People make choices. Choices make history. What factors lead people to make the choices they make? What are the inherent aspects of human beings that can result in either being perpetrators of evil, bystanders, or upstanders? To begin answering these questions, we will “face history” by discussing human behavior in the Holocaust and in events leading up to the Holocaust. Throughout the semester, we will also “face ourselves” by discussing what factors guide us in our choices today.

Jewish History: Major Trends in the History of Jewish Civilization

In this course students investigate the major trends in Jewish history between the fall of the Second Commonwealth in the middle of the first century and the emergence of the Zionist movement at the end of the nineteenth century. Students uncover and examine these trends by performing the job of the historian: analyzing and synthesizing sources, asking and answering historical questions, and creating historical “products,” such as museum installations, book reviews, encyclopedia articles, maps, newspaper columns, and course syllabi.

Jewish Medical Ethics

Scientists and doctors can do things today that were inconceivable only a few years ago. But just because things can be done, does it mean that they should be done? Furthermore, our ways of understanding humans continue to develop and evolve. This class will explore how our traditional yet dynamic religion has been confronting some of these scientific and medical advancements. From abortion to euthanasia and beyond, we’re going to go back to our core and see how the values embedded in our tradition’s texts guide us through this ever-evolving world of options.

JUDAIC STUDIES 12

Elective offerings vary from year to year based on student interest. The following courses have been offered during the past few years.

Advanced Jewish History

In this course students investigate the major trends in Jewish history between the fall of the Second Commonwealth in the middle of the first century and the emergence of Zionism at the end of the nineteenth century. This course is designed for students interested in an independent learning environment, as significant class time is allocated to group work and assessments expect original analysis and synthesis. Students will uncover and examine the major trends in Jewish history by performing the job of the historian: analyzing and synthesizing sources, asking and answering historical questions, and creating historical “products,” such as museum installations, book reviews, encyclopedia articles, maps, and newspaper columns.

Adventures in Yiddish Land

For nearly a millenium, Yiddish was the language in which Ashkenazi Jews lived, died, worked and loved; it is a language of Torah, of struggle, of humor, of song, and of survival. While the past century has seen Yiddish mostly spoken within the ultra orthodox community, a new age is upon us--thousands of young modern and progressive Jews are returning to their roots and are forming a global movement of Yiddish renewal. This course will be an introduction to learning this beautiful and diverse Jewish language and culture.

Biblical Art and Interpretation

Jews and non-Jews have expressed their interpretations of biblical texts and ideas through a variety of artistic forms and media through the centuries. In this course we will extend the traditional scope of biblical drash to include classical and modern artistic interpretations of famous biblical narratives. The course will extend students’ exposure to the Tanakh and continue to develop their skills as close readers of text. In addition, we will practice the skill of “reading” works of art to discover the interpretations of great artists, poets, and filmmakers. Students will respond to the texts by creating artistic works of their own. The course will introduce students to fundamental concepts of visual literacy, and students will learn and engage in the formal process of critique.

Gender and Sexuality in Judaism

How has Jewish law and practice addressed gender roles and sexuality over time? This course will explore the complex relationship between ritual practice and accepted cultural norms. From classical rabbinic sources to modern debates, we will see how changing views on these topics has, at times, influenced how we practice Judaism today.

Jewish History

In this course students investigate the major trends in Jewish history between the fall of the Second Commonwealth in the middle of the first century and the emergence of the Zionist movement at the end of the nineteenth century. Students uncover and examine these trends by performing the job of the historian: analyzing and synthesizing sources, asking and answering historical questions, and creating historical “products,” such as: museum installations, book reviews, encyclopedia articles, maps, newspaper columns, and course syllabi.

Jewish Innovation & Ethics

Over the past 100 years, the world has changed at a rate unimaginable in any prior generation, and the COVID-19 era has made questions about tech use even more complex. As technology advances at an exponential rate, our abilities often outpace our conversations about what is the right thing to do. From programming AI through modifying genes, we will look for insights from our traditional text when it comes to tackling today’s evolving challenges.

Love, Politics and the Absence of God in the Megillot [Tanakh]

In this course, we will study three of the five Megillot. We will be reading the three Megillot which are read in the spring: Esther, Shir HaShirim, and Ruth. These three works all grapple with themes of love, power, politics, identity, and the definition of family. Additionally, these texts are the only three books in Tanakh in which God is notably absent from the text.

Messianism and Redemption in Jewish Life

What we believe about the End of Days matters, as it affects the way we understand our life’s purpose. In this course, we will explore philosophical texts about the Messiah and Olam Haba (the World to Come), the way in which Jewish beliefs have changed over time, and what it means to say we believe.

Modern Israeli History and Society (note: this course may be taken as a history elective, a Judaic Studies elective, or, like any course, as a ninth-block elective course). Since Israel’s founding more than 70 years ago, Israel has struggled to become both a nation like all other nations and at the same time the Jewish state; a democratic nation of the world and simultaneously the national homeland for the Jewish people. Israeli society is complex and multi-dimensional, comprised as it is of Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, and others. There is complexity even among the Jews; sabras and immigrants; Ashkenazim, Sephardim, and Mizrahim; religious, secular, and anti-religious. Moreover, Israel has been locked in a continual struggle with her neighbors, which continues to propel this tiny nation to the front pages of newspapers around the world. This course seeks to explore the complicated reality that is Israel today, through the formal structure of a history class, while at the same time inspired by The Leffell School’s core value of Ahavat Yisrael.

Mussar Institute

What is the one thing that your parents want you to accomplish before going off to college? Of course, they would say, “Be a mensch!” Join us on an exploration of Mussar texts (English and Hebrew) from sources including Mesillat Yesharim , Chovot HaLevavaot, and Pirke Avot that are meant to lead us to personal perfection. If you get there, you get an A for life!