Jewish Bible Studies - Center for Academic and Religious Excellence
Organization
Descriptions and credit recommendations for all evaluated learning experiences
Varies.
June 2015 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the examination, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency as follows: describe G-d’s creation of the world; discuss the lives and culture of the pre-Abrahamitic population of the Middle East; describe and discuss the major events in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and analyze their significance; compare and contrast the roles of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as the progenitors of the Jewish people; and explain the significance of G-d’s promise of the land of Cana’an to thier forefathers.
Guided by the classic Rashi commentary, students develop a thorough knowledge of the entire text. Topics include: Creation of the world; Adam and Chava, Cain (Kayin) and Abel (Hevel); the travels of Abraham to and from Cana’an; Hagar and Sarah, Yishmael and Isaac; Sara’s death and Isaac’s marriage to Rebecca; Jacob and Eisav, their relationships with each other and with their parents; Jacob’s sojourn in Charan; Jacob’s wives and the eleven tribes; Jacob’s return to Cana’an; Binyamins’s birth and the death of Rachel; Joseph – his relationship with his father and brothers, his descent to Egypt and events in Egypt; Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers and reunion with his father; the descent of Jacob and his family to Egypt; and the death of Jacob and his burial in Cana’an.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 6 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Comparative Literature, Biblical Studies, or Religious Studies (6/15) (4/21 revalidation).
Varies.
June 2015 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the examination, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency as follows: describe in detail the enslavement of the Jewish People in Egypt; track the life of Moses from its beginning in Egypt, to his escape from Egypt, to his return to Egypt, and finally leading the Jewish people out of Egypt; discuss and analyze the leadership of Moses in Egypt, at Sinai, and during the construction of the Tabernacle (Mishkan); and explore the transformation of the Jewish People from an enslaved nation to G-d’s Chosen People at Sinai.
Guided by the classic Rashi Commentary, students study the following topics: the suffering of the Jewish People in Egypt; the early life of Moses in Egypt and his escape to Midyan; the initial divine revelation to Moses at Sinai; the ten plagues and the exodus from Egypt; the revelation at Mount Sinai; the golden calf; the second set of Ten Commandments; and the erection of the Tabernacle (Mishkan).
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 6 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Comparative Literature, Biblical Studies, or Religious Studies (6/15) (4/21 revalidation).
Varies.
June 2015 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the examination, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency as follows: describe the travels and encampment of the Jewish people in the desert during the forty years following their exodus from Egypt; discuss the many miracles experienced by the Jewish people during this period and analyze their results; explore the major positive and negative events that occurred during this period and their impact on the Jewish people; compare and contrast the various wars that were fought in the desert as the Jewish people approached the land of Israel; discuss the special position of the Levites and delineate their responsibilities; categorize the various commandments that were done exclusively in Israel: analyze the role of Moses during the forty year wandering in the desert; and discuss the transition of the Jewish nation from a nation of slaves to a nation that was physically, morally, and spiritually prepared to conquer Israel.
Guided by the classic Rashi commentary, students develop a thorough knowledge of the entire text. Topics include: the order of the three camps in the desert; the laws of sotah, the unfaithful wife; the unfortunate mission of the spies to Israel and the consequences; the rebellion of Korach; the sad aftermath of the events at Mei Mireva; the death of Miriam and Aaron; Balak’s and Bilaam’s attempt to curse the Jewish people and G-d’s intervention; the courage of Pinchus and his reward; and the cities of refuge.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 6 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Comparative Literature, Biblical Studies, or Religious Studies (6/15) (4/21 revalidation).
Varies.
June 2015 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the examination, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency as follows: enumerate and discuss the commandments reviewed by Moses in Deuteronomy; describe Moses’s plea to enter the land of Israel and G-d’s response; review and discuss the Ten Commandments; identify the signs of kosher animals and fish; explain and discuss the meaning and significance of Shema; describe Moses’s parting words to the Jewish nation and his subsequent death; and interpret the song of Ha’azinu.
Guided by the classical Rashi commentary, students study the following topics: appointment of judges over the Jewish people; preliminary battles before entering the land of Israel; the cities of refuge; the Ten Commandments; review of events that took place in the desert; warning of possible temptations in Israel; commandments to treat one’s fellow man humanely; the holidays of Passover, Shavuos, Succoth; forbidden marriages and divorce; the song of Ha’azinu; Moshe’s last exhortations and blessing of the Jewish people; and the death of Moses.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 6 semester hour in Judaic Studies, Comparative Literature, Biblical Studies, or Religious Studies (6/15) (4/21 revalidation).
Varies.
June 2015 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the examination, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency as follows: demonstrate familiarity with the Hebrew narrative of Samuel 1; compare and contrast the qualities of Saul and David; discuss the love between David and Jonathan; discuss the leadership of Samuel as a prophet of Israel; analyze the transition from the leadership Samuel, the prophet, to Saul, the king; contrast the early period of the reign of Saul to the later period; and explore the status of Samuel, Saul and David in the history of the prophets and kings of Israel.
Guided by standard medieval commentaries, students develop a thorough knowledge of the entire text. Topics include: the circumstances leading to the birth of Samuel; Samuel’s early years with Eli, the high priest; the events leading up to Saul’s becoming king; the war with Amalek; its effect on Saul as king and the relationship between Samuel and Saul; Samuel as leader of his people; David’s victory over Goliath and its impact on the relationship between Saul and David; David and Jonathan; David’s flight from Saul; Samuel’s death and burial; Saul’s defeat by the Philistines; and David as the progenitor of the future kings of Judea and the original planner of the first Temple.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 6 semester hour in Judaic Studies, Comparative Literature, Biblical Studies, or Religious Studies (6/15) (4/21 revalidation).
Proficiency examination program administered at the CARE testing center or at authorized proctor sites.
September 2017- Present.
Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency as follows: discuss the textual content and become familiar with the narrative of Genesis: discuss the opinions and concepts as discussed in the specified commentaries on various themes in the text; review the process of the creation of the world, of Adam and Eve, the birth of their sons, as delineated in the text; analyze the role of Noah in his generation and compare his impact on his community with Abraham’s; compare the similarities and differences in the lives and goals of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; discuss the lessons of life learned from the lives of the Patriarchs and the Matriarchs; analyze the similarities and differences in the lives of Sara, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah; discuss the life of Joseph and his relationships with his father and brothers.
To prepare for this exam, students will study the following topics: the creation of the world, of Man, human communal development after Eden; Noah and the flood; the three Patriarchs - each within his own immediate family, his role and impact on his society, and as a founding father of the Jewish nation; the three Matriarchs – as partners in their husbands’ life work, and their respective roles as founding mothers of the Jewish nation; the twelve sons of Jacob, their relationships with their father and respective mothers, and with each other; the descent of Jacobs’ family to Egypt.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Comparative Literature, Biblical Studies, or Religious Studies (9/17) (10/22 revalidation).
Proficiency examination program administered at the CARE testing center or at authorized proctor sites.
September 2017-Present.
Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency as follows: examine the textual component of Exodus and be familiar with the narrative; discuss the opinions of the commentaries on various topics in the text; describe the slavery of the Jewish people as delineated in Exodus and in the commentaries; discuss Moses’s role throughout the various stages of this period; discuss the transition of the Jewish people from an enslaved people to a free nation; describe the erection of the Mishkan and Moses’s and Betzalal’s roles; analyze the differences between the giving of the first and second sets of Ten Commandments; discuss the civil laws as delineated in Exodus and their effect on the moral standard of the Jewish people; and compare the roles of Aaron and Miriam versus that of Moses.
To prepare for this exam, students will study the following topics: the enslavement of the Jewish people in Egypt; Moses’s life from birth until his return to Egypt; the process of redemption, including the ten plagues, the preparation to leave Egypt; crossing the Red Sea, Egypt’s downfall; the road to Sinai, the Ten Commandments; the Golden Calf and its aftermath; laws between man and G-d; laws between man and man; the erection of the Mishkan.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Comparative Literature, Biblical Studies, or Religious Studies (9/17) (10/22 revalidation).
Varies.
June 2015 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the examination, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency as follows: reflect on the psycho-social aspects of the Biblical narrative and its implications for an understanding of Jewish life and behavior; compare and contrast the Ten Commandments as they appear in Deuteronomy and Exodus; enumerate and discuss the commandments to conquer the land, destroy idolatry, and establish life in Israel based on the commandments of the Torah; discuss the future leadership of the Jewish people – the king and the Sanhedrin; discuss the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua; and analyze the unique greatness of Moses – leader, teacher, prophet.
In order to prepare for this examination, students study various classic and Medrashic commentaries that cover the following topics: the essential qualities of judges of the Jewish nation; the end of the generation of men who had to die in the desert; the fate of Sichon and his country Cheshbon, and Og and his country Bashan; Moses’s plea to enter the land of Israel and his view of the land from the Pisgah; the dire consequences of not following the laws of the Torah; protection of the convert, orphan, and widow; distancing the Jewish people from the culture and gods of the Canaanites; one’s responsibilities toward the poor; kindness toward one’s fellow man and towards all living creatures; law and justice among the people; and reaffirmation of G-d’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; nature as witness to the glory of G-d, and His special relationship with the Jewish People.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Comparative Literature, Biblical Studies, or Religious Studies (6/15) (4/21 revalidation).
Proficiency examination program administered at the CARE testing center or authorized proctor sites.
September 2016 - Present.
Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency as follows: discuss the spiritual level of the Jews in Persia before, during, and after the period covered in Megilas Esther; analyze the hidden role of Hashem in Jewish history, focusing on the events of Megilas Esther; discuss the qualities of Mordechai and Esther; view the events of Megilas Esther within the script and context of Jewish history; describe the role of the minor characters in the outcome of Megilas Ether; and discuss the impact of the events in Megilas Esther on the historical role of the Jewish nation.
In order to prepare for this exam, students will cover the following topics: the party of King Achashverosh, its purpose and goals vis-à-vis the Jewish people; Vashti’s refusal to appear and consequences of her refusal; the search for a new queen and Esther’s abduction; Bigsan and Seresh’s treason and Mordechai and Esther’s intervention; Haman’s downfall and the victory of the Jews; and Mordechai’s rise to power.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester hours in Bible Studies, Judaic Studies, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (9/16) (4/21 revalidation).
