DEVARIM- (ALTERNATING YEARS)
Introduction of the Ramban to the sefer
Review of the opening chapters of Devarim and Vaetchanan
Laws of judges
Sanctity of the Halacha
Comparison and contrast of the two versions of the Aseret Hadibrot
Preservation of one’s health
Rejection of Hashem- rejection by Hashem
Analysis of the opening paragraphs of the shema
Mitzvot of Tzizit, tefillin and mezuzah
Bircat Hamazon
Love and fear of Hashem
How to treat the stranger
Laws of Shechita
Warnings against divisions in the Jewish community
Laws of Kashrut
Charity
The conduct of judges and the pursuit of justice
Legislative powers of the rabbis
Of witnesses and lawyers
How to conduct a legal war
Environmental law
Communal responsibility and the egla arufah
Laws of inheritance
Rebellious teens
The burial of the dead
Modesty and Halacha
Shiluah Hakan
Shaatnez
Illegitimate marriages
Incest
Divorce
Honesty in business
As of September 20, we have dealt extensively with the topics of the opening
remarks of the Ramban to Devarim, the opening lines of Shema, the concepts of
the love and fear of G-d, the importance of the study of Torah, and the
instruction to students and one's children therof. In addition, we have
examined the controversy surrounding women and the study of Talmud, and we
will be beginning a unit on the issue of conversion to Judaism. Students
receive weekly assignments which are marked and returned either by email or
by hard copy.
Sept.28- We are working on the second paragraph of shema dealing with the
concept of reward and punishment. Students are using Rashi's commentary on the
text to get his perspective on the text.
