Jewish Ethics, History, and Theory - Yeshiva Learning Experience
Organization
Descriptions and credit recommendations for all evaluated learning experiences
Varies (self-study; self-paced).
Varies (self-study; self-paced).
Varies (self-study, self-paced).
April 2022 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the learning experience, students will be able to: interpret and analyze Mishnaic Hebrew; identify the primary character traits and ethical lessons being emphasized in each Mishna; analyze the Mishna from the various viewpoints leading to a variety of different applications as taught by a diverse range of both early and contemporary commentaries; apply the axioms from Pirkei Avos to modern-day issues; and derive an ethical decision based upon the wisdom of the Sages and identify the source.
Major topics include building an ideal society: becoming a thinker and creating a society of thinkers, fear of G-d and love of G-d, building a thirst for wisdom in the home, the value of charity, the relationship between husband and wife, how to be a good judge, collecting evidence, work and power, definition of peace, fame and status versus personal growth, free will, removing oneself from doubt and confusion, and the value of silence and study and justice.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (1/23).
Varies (self-study; self-paced).
April 2022 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the learning experience, students will be able to: interpret and analyze Mishnaic Hebrew; identify the primary character traits and ethical lessons being emphasized in each Mishna; Analyze the Mishna from the various viewpoints leading to a variety of different applications as taught by a diverse range of both early and contemporary commentaries; apply the axioms from Pirkei Avos to modern day issues; and derive an ethical decision based upon the wisdom of the Sages and identify the source.
Major topics include individual growth, choosing a path, taking a personal accounting, the balance between torah study and earning a living, becoming a servant of G-d, being part of a community, measure for measure – understanding punishment, physical pleasure and spiritual pleasure, humility, repentance, chasing desires, respect for other people’s property, proper motivation, prayer, how to answer questions about Judaism, value of time, and trust in G-d.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (1/23).
Varies (self-study; self-paced).
April 2022 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the learning experience, students will be able to: interpret and analyze Mishnaic Hebrew; identify the primary character traits and ethical lessons being emphasized in each Mishna; analyze the Mishna from the various viewpoints leading to a variety of different applications as taught by a diverse range of both early and contemporary commentaries; apply the axioms from Pirkei Avos to modern day issues; and derive an ethical decision based upon the wisdom of the Sages and identify the source.
Major topics include: fear and love of G-d: where people come from and where they are going, the role of authority, conversations, using time when alone, the yoke of Torah versus the yoke of the world, engaging in Torah study with other people, what is G-d’s and what is yours? Torah and enjoying nature, escapism, desecrating the sacred, how to treat superiors, creating fences for yourself, man created in G-d’s image, free will versus predestination, and Torah and secular learning.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (1/23).
Varies (self-study; self-paced).
April 2022 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the learning experience, students will be able to: interpret and analyze Mishnaic Hebrew; identify the primary character traits and ethical lessons being emphasized in each Mishna; analyze the Mishna from the various viewpoints leading to a variety of different applications as taught by a diverse range of both early and contemporary commentaries; apply the axioms from Pirkei Avos to modern day issues; and derive an ethical decision based upon the wisdom of the Sages and identify the source.
Major topics include: important character traits, who is a wise man? the importance of minor mitzvos, the value of every person, humility, desecration of g-d’s name, overconfidence in judging, follow the Torah, wealth, pure motivation, honoring students and teachers, the value of a good reputation, living in a place of Torah, suffering, repentance and good deeds, jealousy and seeking honor.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (1/23).
Varies (self-study; self-paced).
April 2022 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the learning experience, students will be able to: interpret and analyze Mishnaic Hebrew; identify the primary character traits and ethical lessons being emphasized in each Mishna; analyze the Mishna from the various viewpoints leading to a variety of different applications as taught by a diverse range of both early and contemporary commentaries; apply the axioms from Pirkei Avos to modern day issues; and derive an ethical decision based upon the wisdom of the Sages and identify the source.
Major topics include sayings structured around numerical lists: the ten tests of Abraham, seven characteristics of a wise person, seven kinds of punishment, four types of students, four types of givers to charity, four types of people who sit before sages, love hinging on a particular cause versus love without ulterior motive, disputes for the sake of truth versus disputes with an ulterior motive, bringing people to the side of merit versus bringing people to sin.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (1/23).
Varies (self-study, self-paced).
April 2022 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the learning experience, students will be able to: interpret and analyze Mishnaic Hebrew; identify the primary character traits and ethical lessons being emphasized in each Mishna; analyze the Mishna from the various viewpoints leading to a variety of different applications as taught by a diverse range of both early and contemporary commentaries; apply the axioms from Pirkei Avos to modern day issues; and derive an ethical decision based upon the wisdom of the Sages and identify the source.
Major topics include the importance of learning Torah: what people merit for seeking Torah, respecting teachers, not craving honor, how the Torah is acquired through forty-eight ways, and living in a place of Torah.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (1/23).
Varies (self-study, self-paced).
April 2022 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the learning experience, students will be able to: examine and discuss Jewish History within World History, utilizing primary and secondary texts and documents and identify the impact of major world events on the Jews including rise of other religions, renaissance, emancipation, revolutions, persecutions, and changes arising from political, social, and economic developments and mass movements.
In order to prepare for this exam, students study the following topics: the end of the First Temple Era, new beginnings in the land of Israel, the downfall of Babylonia and the rise of Greece, the conflict between Hellenist culture and Jewish tradition, leaders of the Jewish community and their impact on the community in Israel, the rise of Rome; the war against the Jews, and the end of the Second Temple era. Other topics include the Geonim, the rise of Islam, The Golden Age of Spain, the Rif, the Rambam, Rashi, the Crusades, the Ramban, the last Rishonim, and Anshei Hachein.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Jewish History, History, or Religion (1/23).
Varies (self-study, self-paced).
April 2022 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the learning experience, students will be able to: examine and discuss Jewish History within World History, utilizing primary and secondary texts and documents and identify the impact of major world events on the Jews including rise of other religions, renaissance, emancipation, revolutions, persecutions, and changes arising from political, social, and economic developments and mass movements.
Major topics include Jews in Western Europe, Tzefat, Jews in Eastern Europe, The Catastrophe of Tach v’tat, Shabsai Tzvi, The Baal Shem Tov, Disciples of the Baal Shem Tov, The Vilna Gaon, Moses Mendelssohn, Napoleon and the Jews, Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch, and Czarist Russia.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Jewish History, History, or Religion (1/23).
