Mercaz HaTorah
Overview
Since its inception in 1970, Mercaz HaTorah, an NCCRS member since January 1994, has distinguished itself as an institution fostering scholarship and promoting creativity and research. As a postsecondary institute for Judaic and Talmudic Studies, Mercaz HaTorah provides its students with a rigorous, structured program of intellectual studies to develop skills in textual study, and a methodology for enhanced knowledge of classical source materials.
Students accepted to Mercaz HaTorah are drawn from all over the world, particularly the United States, and are selected based on their academic merit, growth potential, and personal commitment to scholarship and Jewish ethics. Mercaz HaTorah endeavors to develop within its students a high level of understanding of and appreciation for the wisdom and philosophy embodied in traditional Jewish scholarship. It trains students in the application of critical and discriminating thought and action, and prepares them to assume positions as informed, knowledgeable and committed Rabbinic and lay leaders.
PROGRAM OF STUDY
Mercaz HaTorah places the study of the Babylonian Talmud at the core of its curriculum. The vast body of subsequent post-Talmudic literature elucidates the more difficult and complex Talmudic passages and concepts. It also organizes and codifies practical and applicable laws, and derives traditional formulations and frameworks for solutions to future Halachic issues. Thus, to gain proficiency in the reading of the Talmudic text, students acquire comprehension of the issues and concepts elucidated in each folio, and develop an ability to analyze textual materials throughout the Talmudic tractates. These goals are realized through concurrent mastery of classical commentaries such as Rashi, Tosafot, Ramban, Rashba, and Ritva, in addition to Medieval codifiers including Rambam, Ran, Rosh, and Rif.
To facilitate students' Talmudic progress, Mercaz HaTorah adopted the following learning pattern: each academic term highlights a Talmudic tractate (or its segments) which is uniformly studied by the entire student body. The variations in study levels depend upon the year of study students are in and whether the course constitutes a survey or an intensive study of the tractate. In each year, study proceeds according to a set progression.
During the first year, students acquire proficiency in the Hebraic and Aramaic readings, in the structure and style of Talmudic argumentation, as well as the explication of the interpretive and legal posits of the classical texts and their commentaries.
Second year students acquire mastery of textual readings. The complexities of the Talmudic style, the articulation of the argumentative process, and the elicitation of conclusive decisions from these texts are explored in depth. Similar concentration and inferential deductions are applied to the classical commentaries. Lectures focus on the deductive process, as students are encouraged to probe and challenge pat interpretations of comparative textual contradictions.
Students who attain the third year advanced level of Talmudic research and analysis hone their analytic skills in understanding the novella of the Rishonim and the methods of cataloging their diverse Halachic approaches. Study of the Maimonidean Code of Law as a quasi-legally binding discipline is introduced by the process of gleaning the Rambam’s interpretative stances in the Talmud from premises evident in his Halachic decisions. Classic Maimonidean commentators are also examined. Similarly, the interpretive works of prominent Achronim are employed in understanding the legal and theoretical posits of the Rishonim. In addition, the diverse approaches of leading 19th and 20th century Talmudic analysts receive prominent attention.
Students and admissions representatives please note: NCCRS does not provide transcripts. Transcript requests and inquiries should be directed to the organization offering the courses, examinations or apprenticeship. See the Source of Official Student Records in the sidebar near the top right side of this page.
Source of Official Student Records
Titles of all evaluated learning experiences
Descriptions and credit recommendations for all evaluated learning experiences
Foundation Courses - Mercaz HaTorah
- Formerly Advanced Studies in the Pentateuch and Midrashic Literature (B201)
- Formerly Philosophy - Religious Ethics 201 - Duties of the Heart: Trust in G-d (PRE201)
- Formerly Philosophy-Religious Ethics 101 - Studies in Traditional Jewish Thought and Ethics (PRE101)
Intensive Study Courses - Mercaz HaTorah
42.5 hours (5 weeks); in addition, 112.5 hours of supervised peer study.
August 2022 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the learning experience, first year students will be able to discuss the substance and essence of the Talmudic text; apply analytical skills in Talmudic explication; follow the dynamics of Talmudic argumentation leading to Halachic conclusions and resolutions; and utilize the major medieval, modern, and contemporary commentaries to comprehend the underlying assumptions and consequences of the legal principles implicit in the text. Second year students and beyond, in addition to the outcomes above, will be able to analyze abstract legal concepts and formulate abstract legal categories based on the Talmudic text.
Students read and study tractate Gittin employing the major standard commentaries. Instruction and peer study involve the resolution of competing claims of possession and with modes of acquisition of lost objects and claims over bought objects. NOTE: This tractate is studied by all students in a given semester. While the scope of instruction is the same, the depth of study depends upon what year of study the student is in.
First year students: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 2 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Jurisprudence, Law, Jewish Law, Talmud, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (4/23); Second year students and beyond: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 2 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Jurisprudence, Law, Jewish Law, Talmud, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (4/23). NOTE: Credit can be awarded for this course and the Survey course of the same title.
170 hours (20 weeks); in addition, 350 hours of supervised peer study.
August 2022 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the learning experience, first year students will be able to discuss the substance and essence of the Talmudic text; apply analytical skills in Talmudic explication; follow the dynamics of Talmudic argumentation leading to Halachic conclusions and resolutions; and utilize the major medieval, modern, and contemporary commentaries to comprehend the underlying assumptions and consequences of the legal principles implicit in the text. Second year students and beyond, in addition to the outcomes above, will be able to analyze abstract legal concepts and formulate abstract legal categories based on the Talmudic text.
Students read and study tractate Gittin employing the major standard commentaries. Instruction and peer study involve the resolution of competing claims of possession and with modes of acquisition of lost objects. NOTE: This tractate is studied by all students in a given semester. While the scope of instruction is the same, the depth of study depends upon what year of study the student is in.
First year students: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 8 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Jurisprudence, Law, Jewish Law, Talmud, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (4/23); Second year students and beyond: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 8 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Jurisprudence, Law, Jewish Law, Talmud, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (4/23). NOTE: Credit can be awarded for this course and the Survey course of the same title.
Survey Courses - Mercaz HaTorah
25 hours (5 weeks); in addition, 50 hours of supervised peer study.
August 2022 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to discuss the substance and essence of the Talmudic text; apply analytical skills in Talmudic explication; explicate the literary and linguistic elements of Talmudic Aramaic; follow the dynamics of Talmudic argumentation leading to Halachic conclusions and resolutions; and utilize Rashi's commentary to render the text intelligible.
Students read and study tractate Gittin employing the commentary of Rashi. Instruction and peer study involve aspects of the law pertaining to torts and damages. NOTE: This tractate is studied by all students in a given semester. While the scope of instruction is the same, the breadth of study depends upon what year of study the student is in.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 1 semester hour in Judaic Studies, Jurisprudence, Law, Jewish Law, Talmud, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (4/23).
100 hours (20 weeks); in addition, 200 hours of supervised peer study.
August 2022 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to discuss the substance and essence of the Talmudic text; apply analytical skills in Talmudic explication; explicate the literary and linguistic elements of Talmudic Aramaic; follow the dynamics of Talmudic argumentation leading to Halachic conclusions and resolutions; and utilize Rashi's commentary to render the text intelligible.
Students read and study tractate Gittin employing the commentary of Rashi. Instruction and peer study involve aspects of the law pertaining to torts and damages. NOTE: This tractate is studied by all students in a given semester. While the scope of instruction is the same, the breadth of study depends upon what year of study the student is in.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 4 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Jurisprudence, Law, Jewish Law, Talmud, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (4/23).
Talmud Courses with Inactive credit recommendations - Mercaz HaTorah
- Formerly Bava Batra (T148, T248, or T348)
