Tanakh
FRESHMAN | SOPHMORE | JUNIOR
FRESHMAN YEAR
Torah
 The ninth grade Torah curriculum focuses on the theme of sibling rivalry, and interpersonal relationships between parents and their children. Equal emphasis is placed upon the role of Divine Providence in an individual's life and in history and the literary structures of the biblical narrative. Students are encouraged to identify with the characters in Bereshit and to use them as positive role models. The course strives to teach the methods as well as the different commentaries for independent study of Torah, along with sensitivity to the biblical text and its interpretations. A beki'ut exam ensures familiarity with the whole of Bereshit.
Prophets
The course focuses on two books of the Terei Ásar - Amos and Yonah. Students learn about the lives of the prophets and the periods in which they lived. Review of sections in Melakhim Bet acquaints them with the lives and times of the kings during whose reigns Amos and Yonah prophesied. Students study the role of the prophet as preacher and the literary style of the individual prophet, while developing the ability to read the Nevi'im Acharonim independently and to quote famous passages. A major objective is to develop an understanding of the reasons for the dispersion of the Jews and the destruction of the Temple, in order to inform contemporary national and individual existence, and to understand the striving for redemption.
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Torah
The focus of the tenth grade Torah curriculum is the study of Sefer Shemot. Building upon the textual and analytical objectives of the ninth grade curriculum, the course delves into the stages of the Israelite experience: slavery, redemption, and the birth of a nation; the development and character of Moshe as leader and redeemer of the Israelites; the Ten Plagues and the miracles of emancipation; the trials in the desert and the people's struggle with their "newly-acquired" freedom. Students are encouraged to seek parallels between the behavior of the Jewish people in the desert and its behavior today, as a guide to their own religious development. The course relies heavily upon the approach of Nechama Leibowitz as reflected in her book Iyyunim Chadashim be-Sefer Shemot and stresses the commentators Ramban and Rashi. A beki'ut exam ensures familiarity with the whole of Shemot.
Prophets
Building upon the methodologies of the previous year's curriculum, this course focuses on selections from the book of Yesha'yahu. Students engage in a comprehensive study of the language structure of the book, along with a concentration on chapters found in the haftarot. Topics covered include the following: Yesha'yahu's war against social injustice, his ideas on Acharit ha-Yamim, his concepts of Shivat Tziyon and teshuvah. Review of readings in Melakhim Bet acquaints the students with the lives and times of the kings during whose reigns Yesha'yahu prophesied. The subject of Acharit ha-Yamim is further studied from sources including Ramban, Rav Saadiah and the book of Yechezkel. Students are expected to be able to quote well-known passages such as that on the Isaiah Wall near the U.N. An attempt is made to view destiny through the prophecies of Yesha'yahu, and to see that the moral law, values, and beliefs in those prophecies sustain Jewish life today. His struggle to refine the world continues to be relevant.
Students study verses that are quoted in Christian scripture and learn to derive their meanings within the context of Yesha'yahu and Tanakh. In this way they learn to respond to missionaries such as Jews for Jesus. One or two small papers are assigned which develop the students' comparative skills and reinforce their ability to learn independently.
JUNIOR YEAR
Torah
The theme of the course is the saying from Pirkei Avot: "Jealousy, lust and glory remove a person from the world." Each one of these human traits is studied in depth through the following selections from the text: the miton'nim, the mit'avim, the leshon ha-ra of Miriam and Aaron, the leshon ha-ra of the spies, the rebellion of Bilaam, mei merivah, Korach and the sin of Ba'al Peor. Students are directed to compare biblical texts (specifically the parallels in Shemot, Bemidbar and Devarim) in order to understand the reasons for repetition in the Bible in general. The course relies heavily on the work of Nechama Leibowitz on Bemidbar, and stresses the study of Midrash and its moral imperatives. A beki'ut exam ensures familiarity with the whole of Bemidbar. Some independent work is required using different commentaries, analyzing as well as comparing methodologies.
Prophets
Building upon the objectives of the previous two years' curricula, this course focuses on selections from the book of Yirmeyahu with particular attention to chapters in the haftarot. While always stressing language and style, students learn about the prophet and the historical background to his period, as well as about his role as the prophet of doom. Verses of his personal sufferings and travails as well as his cries of anguish are studied in depth. The theme of truth and falsehood is developed as seen through the false prophets of this period, the false sacrifices of the Jews in the Temple, from the false behavior between man and man. The relatively obscure suffering and trial of Yirmeyahu are contrasted with the trials of Jesus and Socrates, using passages from the Christian scripture and from Plato's Apology. Comparative study of Terei Ásar and Yesha'yahu and Yirmeyahu is emphasized. Readings in Melakhim Bet are again required in order to understand the lives and times of the kings during whose reigns Yirmeyahu prophesied.
Students are encouraged to perfect their skills in reading text and commentaries while broadening their knowledge of Tanakh, and learning to quote famous passages. Papers that stress independent learning skills are assigned.
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