The B.H.L. program offers a unique approach for the adult learner. The program is designed to accommodate the needs and schedules of adults, at the same time as affording them the opportunity to study under both residential and vesting faculty in both regular, semester-long courses and intensive learning modules. The curriculum is a mix of lectures, tutorials, classrooms, and individual learning. Classes employ a variety of pedagogic techniques and generally meet in the evenings. Typically a class will meet in a lecture format for one hour, followed by 45 minutes of one-on-one or small group learning, modeled after the traditional Jewish hevrusa technique. Students will be given a 90-minute individual learning assignment that will reinforce and expand upon the materials covered in the lectures, tutorials and small group sessions. Each course is of variable credit, and credit is calculated at 12 classroom contact hours (plus the assumed two hours of “homework” per contact hour) per credit hour. A full time student will take a minimum of 12 credits per 12-week term, scheduled around traditional Jewish holidays and festivals. Over four years, a student will complete a total of 144 credit hours, which is required for the B.H.L. degree. Each course will carry its own requirements: writing assignments and oral and/or written examinations. Instructors will evaluate student learning each trimester on a scale of A, B. C, D, or F. An overall grade average of C+ is required for the degree. The work of each student is graded on the following scale: A (93-100%), A- (90-92%) Excellent; B+ (87-89%), B (83-86%), B- (80-82%) Good; C+ (77-79%), C (73-76%), C- (70-72%) Average; D_ (67-69%), D (63-66%), D- (6062%) Poor; F (below 60%) Failure; AU Audit; P Pass; W (Withdrawn without penalty or prejudice; or I Incomplete work.

 

Courses numbered 100-499 are B.H.L. level courses. Those numbered 100-199 are generally intended for first year students; 200-299 for second year students; 300-399 for third year students; and 400-499 for advanced undergraduate students.

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NOTE: For 2023-2024, all students should enroll for PHL 160

  

TEXTUAL STUDIES (TXT)

 

TXT 101:             

Weekly Portion (variable credit hours)     

Studies in the weekly Torah portion, read with commentaries by Rashi and others.

 

TXT 110:             

Bereshit (variable credit hours)

Studies in Genesis (Prerequisite: TXT 101)

 

TXT 111:             

Shemot (variable credit hours)

Studies in Exodus (Prerequisite: TXT 101)

 

TXT 112:             

Vayikra (variable credit hours)

Studies in Leviticus (Prerequisite: TXT 101)

 

TXT 113:             

Bamidbar (variable credit hours)

Studies in Numbers (Prerequisite: TXT 101)

 

TXT 114:             

Dvarim (variable credit hours)

Studies in Deuteronomy (Prerequisite: TXT 101)

 

TXT 120:             

Nevi’im (variable credit hours)    

Studies in the Prophets (Prerequisite: TXT 101)

 

TXT 121:             

Megillot (variable credit hours)

Studies in the five megillot (Prerequisite: TXT 101)

 

TXT 201:             

Introduction to the Talmud (variable credit hours)              

Emphasis will be placed on the skills needed to learn Talmudic sugyot topics), which include the history and structure of the text, the Mishna and Gomorrah, and the standard commentaries.

 

TXT 202:             

Intermediate Talmud (variable credit hours)

Readings of selected texts from the Talmud organized thematically.

 

TXT 210:             

Tractate Berachot (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of the Talmud’s tractate on Blessings (Prerequisite: TXT 201)

  

TXT 211:             

Tractate Shabbat (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of the Talmud’s tractate on Shabbat (Prerequisite: TXT 201)

 

TXT 212:             

Tractate Niddah (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of the Talmud’s tractate on Family Purity (Prerequisite: TXT 201)

 

TXT 213:             

Tractate Sukkot (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of the Talmud’s tractate on Sukkot (Prerequisite: TXT 201)

 

TXT 214:             

Tractate Yoma (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of the Talmud’s tractate on Yom Kippur (Prerequisite: TXT 201)

 

TXT 220:             

Daf Yomi (variable credit hours)

The page-a-day approach to the Talmud and its commentaries (Prerequisite: TXT 201)

 

TXT 301:             

Advanced Talmud (variable credit hours)

Rapid reading of the Talmud Bavli following the page-a-day (Daf Yomi) cycle

 

TXT 401, 402, 403:

Independent textual studies (variable credit hours)

Advanced study of selected Judaic texts (Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor)

 

 

JEWISH LAW (LAW)

 

LAW 101:            

Laws of Kashrut (variable credit hours)

Starting with the Shulchan ‘Aruch, a survey of issues in Judaic dietary laws.

 

LAW 120:            

Laws of Melicha (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of the laws of salting meat, based on the Shulchan ‘Aruch and other sources (No prerequisite)

 

LAW 122:            

Laws of Basar v’Chalav (variable credit hours)      

An intensive study of the laws of mixing meat and milk, based on the Shulchan ‘Aruch and other sources (No prerequisite)

 

LAW 124:            

Laws of Taaruvos (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of the laws of forbidden food mixtures, based on the Shulchan ‘Aruch and other sources (No prerequisite)

 

LAW 126:            

Laws of Aveilus 1 (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of the laws of mourning, based on the Shulchan ‘Aruch and other sources

(No prerequisite)

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LAW 128:            

Laws of Niddah (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of the laws of family purity, based on the Shulchan ‘Aruch and other sources

(No prerequisite)

 

LAW 150:            

Laws of Shabbat 1 (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of the laws of cooking on Shabbat, based on the Shulchan ‘Aruch and  other sources

(No prerequisite)

 

LAW 151:            

Laws of Shabbat 2 (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of the laws of Muktze (items thare Rabbinically forbidden to use on Shabbat), based on the Shulchan ‘Aruch and other sources (Prerequisite: LAW 150)

 

LAW 152:            

Laws of Shabbat 3 (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of the laws of building, trapping, and tying knots on Shabbat, based on the Shulchan ‘Aruch and other sources (Prerequisite: LAW 151)

 

LAW 153:            

Laws of Shabbat 4 (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of the laws of sorting, squeezing, and preparing food on Shabbat,  based on the Shulchan ‘Aruch and other sources (Prerequisite: LAW 152)

 

LAW 154:            

Laws of Shabbat 5 (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of various other prohibitions on Shabbat, based on the Shulchan ‘Aruch and other sources (Prerequisite: LAW 153)

 

LAW 160:            

Laws of Tefilla (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of the laws and explanation of the wording of the prayers in the prayer book, based on various Biblical, Talmudic, and other sources (No prerequisite)

 

LAW 162:            

Laws of Orach Chaim 1 (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of the laws of morning blessings, based on the Shulchan ‘Aruch and other sources

(No prerequisite)

 

LAW 163:            

Laws of Orach Chaim 2 (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of the laws of Pesukei D’Zimra, the introductory verses and Kaddish, based on the Shulchan ‘Aruch and other sources (Prerequisite: LAW 162)

 

LAW 164:            

Laws of Orach Chaim 3 (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of the laws of the Shema and its blessings, based on the Shulchan ‘Aruch and other sources (Prerequisite: LAW 163)

 

LAW 165:            

Laws of Orach Chaim 4 (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of the laws of the Amida, prayer of 18 benedictions, based on the Shulchan ‘Aruch and other sources (Prerequisite: LAW 164)

 

LAW 170:            

Laws of Business Ethics (variable credit hours)

An intensive study of Business Ethics, based on the Shulchan ‘Aruch and other sources (No prerequisite)

 

LAW 201:            

The Holidays (variable credit hours)

A survey of the laws regarding the observance of Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret, Hanukkah, Purim, Pesach.

 

LAW 210:            

Pesach (variable credit hours)

The laws and customs surrounding the observance of Passover.

 

LAW 301:            

Issues in Contemporary Jewish Law (variable credit hours)              

The interface between Halakhah and contemporary social issues as seen through the prism of response (tshuvah) literature. Topics include privacy, abortion, assisted suicide, medical research, transplants, surrogate motherhood, extradition, and other topics. (Prerequisite: any 200-level LAW course)

 

LAW 401, 402, 403:           

Independent Studies in Jewish Law (variable credit hours)

Advanced studies of topics in Jewish Law (Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor)

 

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JEWISH LITERATURE (LIT)

 

LIT 101:               

Survey of Jewish Literature

An overview of the types of traditional Jewish literature: Tanakh, Mishna, Gemorrah, historical writings (e.g., Josephus), responsa literature, law codes (e.g., Shulchan ‘Aruch), controversial writing (e.g., Kuzari), scientific writing, liturgical poetry (piyyutim, pizmonim), esoteric or mystical writing.

 

 

JEWISH HISTORY (HIST)

 

HIST 101:            

Jewish Historical Sources (variable credit hours)

A close reading of selected important historical texts, such as Josephus’ The Jewish Wars, or travelogues of shlichim, or letters dealing with historical issues, e.g., the Rambam’s Letter to the Yemenites.

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HIST 102:

Studies in Jewish History

This course is a series of lectures (followed  by private discussions) by invited scholars of aspects of Jewish history. A CYS faculty member will coordinate the series and will oversee a written assignment.

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HIST 110:            

Sephardic Jewry (variable credit hours)

A survey of the history and literacy, cultural, philosophic, and religious achievements of Sephardic Jewry

 

HIST 120:            

The Holocaust (variable credit hours)

A survey of the history of The Shoah, as well as an examination of its theological and religious implications

 

HIST 122:            

The Land and the Spirit (variable credit hours, no prerequisites)

Explore the spirit of a land that has pulsed with energy and mystery since the dawn of time, a land that has captured our imagination throughout history, a land that breathes with the glory of our past and the dreams of our future. Join us as we examine what Israel was meant to be, and what Israel means to us today.

 

HIST 130:            

Judaism and World Religions (variable credit hours)

An overview of Judaism’s interactions with other religions, including their historical encounters, as drawn from Judaic texts.

 

HIST 132:
Jews, Judaism, and Cultures (variable credit hours)
This course will be an in-depth exploration of how Jews have interacted with various cultures, and how Judaism has responded to its cultural contexts. The course might be a lecture series or taught by one professor, depending on the topic. Among these topics might be Jews and the American Film Industry, Jews and Humor, Jewish interactions with cultures in India, or in Iran, Jewish poetry in Arabic-speaking lands, and the like. Students will be required to prepare short essays on each topic covered, utilizing both reading and lecture materials.
 

HIST 203:            

Religion and Society in Contemporary Israel (variable credit hours)

Topics may include the role of the rabbinate in Israeli politics, religion and the Israeli Supreme Court, relations between Jews and Muslims in contemporary Israel, interreligious relations, Halachah and the State, etc.

 

HIST 205:

Judaism In America (variable credit hours)

Analyses of movements, issues, and culture. Specific topics will vary, but included would be Judaism and culture, politics, religious story, movements, and philosophy as they evolved in America

 

HIST 401, 402, 403:            

Independent Studies in Jewish History (variable credit hours)

Advanced studies of topics in Jewish History (Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor)

 

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JEWISH PHILOSOPHY (PHL)

 

PHL 101:             

Survey of Jewish Philosophy (variable credit hours)

 

PHL 120:              

Jewish Concepts of the Soul (variable credit hours)

A thematic, textual approach to Judaic conceptions of the soul and the afterlife. Course materials will be drawn from the Torah, the Babylonian Talmud, the Siddur Ariziel, the Zohar, the Tanya, Maimonides’ Mishne Torah, Isaac Luria’s Likutei Torah, the Besht’s Keter Shem Tov, the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Hayom Yom, and other primary sources. (No prerequisites)

 

PHL 160:             

Torah and Science (variable credit hours)

Explores the convergences between Torah and cosmology, physics, psychology, medicine, mathematics, archaeology, etc. Offered in conjunction with Machon Lev (Jerusalem Institute of Technology)

 

PHL 162:             

Judaism and Education (variable credit hours)

A treatment of traditional Judaic perspectives on education as well as contemporary pedagogical issues and techniques.

 

PHL 201:             

Classical Jewish Philosophy (variable credit hours)

Through such authors of Maimonides, HaLevi, and Arizal, a study of the classical period in Jewish philosophy; the assimilation of Greek thought in Maimonidean philosophy; the analysis of other religions in Halevi’s The Kuzari; etc.

  

PHL 210:             

Reading Rambam (variable credit hours)

Selected topics from the Rambam’s classical texts are analyzed for their philosophic content. (Prerequisite: PHL 101 or 201)

 

PHL 211:            

Maimonides’ Thirteen Principles of Faith (variable credit hours, no prerequisites)

Reflections of Jewish faith, reason and experience. The pre-eminent Jewish philosopher, Maimonides, articulated thirteen principles that are at the core of Jewish faith and define our consciousness. These principles are a brilliant distillation of a belief system that is at once logically ordered and emotionally compelling. Taken together, they form the basis for a deeply satisfying relationship with G-d, with the world in which we live, and with our true selves.

 

PHL 301:             

Sources of Chassidus (variable credit hours)

Readings of selections from the Tanya and its philosophic commentaries

 

PHL 310:             

The Zohar (variable credit hours)

Close reading of selections from the Book of Splendor

 

PHL 320:             

The Tanya (variable credit hours)

Close reading of selections from the Tanya (Prerequisite: PHL 301)

 

PHL 321:             

Mystical Interpretations of the Bible (variable credit hours)

Chassidic writing from the sixteenth to twentieth century (Prerequisite: TXT 301)

 

PHL 322:             

Sichos of the Rebbe (variable credit hours)

Selections from the sermons and letters of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson (z”l) (Prerequisite: PHL 301)

 

PHL 401, 402, 403:           

Independent Studies in Jewish Philosophy (variable credit hours)

Advanced studies of topics in Jewish Philosophy

(Prerequisite: Any 200 – 300 level PHL course, plus Consent of Instructor)

 

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JEWISH ETHICS (ETH)

 

ETH 101:             

Introduction to Jewish Ethics (variable credit hours)

A survey of Jewish thinking about ethics drawn from the Tanakh and its commentaries, Pirkei Avot, the Talmud, law codes, and responsa literature.

 

ETH 110:             

Judaism and Technology (variable credit hours)

How to use modern technology – the internet and information technology in particular – to enhance Jewish learning and practice.

  

ETH 120:             

Talmudic Ethics (variable credits, no prerequisites)

When your heart is pulled in two directions, how do you know which tug to follow? The Talmud lays down principles that can help you disentangle warring intuitions so that you can clearly discern right from wrong. In this course, we invite you to experience the fascinating application of law and logic as the rabbis struggle to determine what is just.

 

ETH 201:             

Family Ethics (variable credit hours)

Contemporary issues in family ethics from the perspective of responsa literature: dating and matchmaking, child rearing, sexual ethics, medical ethics, end-of-life issues. (Prerequisite: ETH 101)

 

ETH 202:             

Ethics of War and Peace (variable credit hours)

Warmaking and peacemaking in Judaic traditions. Topics include the just war, self- defense, restraint in the battlefield, negotiating for peace. (Prerequisite: ETH 101)

 

ETH 401, 402, 403:            

Independent Studies in Jewish Ethics (variable credit hours) 

Advanced studies of topics in Jewish Ethics

(Prerequisite: ETH 101, plus Consent of Instructor)                            

 

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HEBREW LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (HBR)

 

HBR 101:            

Introduction to Hebrew 1 (variable credit hours)

 

HBR 102:            

Introduction to Hebrew 2 (variable credit hours) Prerequisite: HBR 101 or equivalent)

 

HBR 103:            

Introduction to Hebrew 3 (variable credit hours) (Prerequisite: HBR 102 or equivalent)

 

HBR 201:            

Intermediate Hebrew 1 (variable credit hours) (Prerequisite: HBR 103 or equivalent)

 

HBR 202:            

Intermediate Hebrew 2 (variable credit hours) (Prerequisite: HBR 201 or equivalent)

 

HBR 203:            

Intermediate Hebrew 3 (variable credit hours) (Prerequisite: HBR 202 or equivalent)

 

Specific texts will vary from year to year.

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