Judaic Studies
The subject areas are divided into three areas:
- Torah Studies: Chumash, Navi, Mishna and Talmud. Halacha: Jewish laws and customs.
- Lashon: Hebrew language.
- Parsha, History & Yidiot Klaliot (General Jewish Knowledge)
A. Torah Studies
Text: The Chumash: The Five Books of Moses
The Chumash is the foundation of the NEHA elementary curriculum. Chumash is taught daily throughout the elementary years.
Skills:
A mastery of basic vocabulary of the Chumash is achieved in the elementary grades.
A child should be able to find the “Shoresh”, or root word of most verbs and understand the meaning of a basic prefix or nouns, and basic conjugational prefixes and suffixes for most simple verbs. He/She should be able to demonstrate an elementary understanding of the text. Upon starting the commentary of Rashi, which begins in the third grade, the child should be able to read the script with a degree of fluency and understand the content.
The level of proficiency of textual skills will naturally vary from child to child. In addition, the degree to which various skills are stressed in different classes will directly affect the mastery students will be able to demonstrate.
Navi-Prophets:
Navi is studied in the following sequence:
- Yehoshua-Joshua
- Shoftim-Judges
- Samuel I- Shmuel I
- Samuel II- Shmuel II
- Malachim I and II- Kings
Skills:
First among all the skills which a student needs to develop is the ability to recognize the sacred nature of the text and essential “Kedusha” holiness ascribed to personalities and the events. While they were recorded as seemingly mundane dramatic stories, the events described have a much deeper and more profound meaning, which are applicable to the students' daily lives. There is a great emphasis upon the storyline and textual skills.
Text- The Mishna: The codified oral tradition.
The study of Mishna is both a prelude to the Talmud as well as an independent pursuit. The cognitive process required is on a higher and more complex level than that required for Chumash study, yet for more than a millennium and a half, Jewish children successfully assimilated the learning process from a very early age. It is obviously necessary to begin with simple concepts and progress from there to more complex issues.
Mishna is begun at the third grade with a pre-Mishna introductory class.
Skills:
A child studying the Mishna must learn the new skill of dealing with differing opinions, both of which are valid. He must be able to understand the processes of extracting a concept; a concept from an illustration, and reconciling the practical application of an abstract idea. This takes time, mental maturity.
Text – The Talmud or Gemara
The vast volume of Talmudic literature has become known metaphorically as “the sea of Talmud” because its pursuit is an endless process. The Talmud is a discussion of the Mishnah that often ventures onto other subjects and expounds broadly on the Tanach.
The Gemara is the basis for all of rabbinic law and is much quoted in other rabbinic literature.
The study of the Talmud starts at a tender age; its mastery is a lifetime quest.
Talmudic studies begin at fifth grade.
Skills:
A student needs to be able to read a text in a language totally unfamiliar to him. A basic mastery of the generic Aramaic-Hebrew Talmudic language will be an absolute requirement for any level of higher Judaic studies. Vocabulary and oral punctuation are a process which takes many years to master, but without which any Talmudic studies cannot be undertaken.
The special logic of the Talmud give and take is a delicate process, but not beyond the grasp of a preteen.
Halacha: Jewish Laws and Customs
Tefilla: Prayer-every child learns how to pray to the Al-mighty and why. This process starts in the preschool and intensifies when a child learns to read from a Siddur. By fourth grade, a child is familiar with most of the basic morning prayers, Shacharit.
The Shabbat and Festivals:
Basic to Jewish observances are the Shabbat and periodic festivals. The children are taught the beauty of various laws and customs.
Brachot:
Every student is taught to recite the correct blessing over food as well as periodic special occasions, which also require an acknowledgement of G‑d’s benevolence. They will have mastered all basic Brachot including Birkat Hamazon, grace after meals, by heart.
S.T.A.M
Sefer Torah, Tefillin, Mezuzah. All students become familiar with the laws of sacred objects such as a Torah (and Bet Knesset), Tefillin and Mezuzot. They have a fundamental understanding of how they are made and what makes them "Kosher". The laws of Tzitzit and how to actually make their own pair according to various opinions.
Bein Adam and L’Chavero
Between man and neighbor. Children study the Jewish laws relating to interpersonal relationships and personal morality. This includes the laws pertaining to “Kibud Av V’eim”- honoring parents (and teachers), Tzedakah (charity) as well as laws pertaining to property (lost and found).
Eretz Yisrael:
The special relationship, which ties us to Israel, should be carefully nurtured. Children are taught that Israel is the Jewish homeland and has a special sacredness. In addition, children become familiarized with the special “Halachot” pertaining to Israel and its inhabitants.
B. Lashon Ivrit:
Components:
Hebrew language. We pray in Lashon Hakodesh, it is the language of our sacred texts and the tremendous body of Jewish knowledge. Children are reading with a degree of fluency and accuracy by the end of first grade. They learn to write Hebrew simultaneously and their knowledge of the language, both written and oral, increases with each grade.
C. Parsha, History & Yediot Klaliot
The weekly Torah portion through story, song, projects and plays. Progressing from review sheets for home to Divrei Torah to writing their own Divrei Toah and oral presentation.
History & Yidiot Klaliot includes both historical events and famous personalities. General Jewish knowledge of important Judaic facts, names, dates and events.