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Lashon: Hebrew Language

The key to success in Limudei Kodesh is mastery of the Hebrew language. At ASHAR, immersion in Lashon Hakodesh begins in our Early Childhood Program, and continues through graduation.

Our preschool students are taught Hebrew language through a special "Cha/av U'Dvash" program, readying them for the eagerly anticipated Chagigat HaSiddur extravaganza at the beginning of first grade, during which students are presented with their Siddurim . First and second grade morot and rebbeim utilize a modified, and  enhanced, version of the acclaimed Tal Am curriculum. Shorashim and verb conjugation are stressed in all grades, and students are gradually exposed to formal klalei dikduk and several binyanim. Grade appropriate Hebrew literature, chiburrim and Hebrew homework in all Limudei Kodesh subjects, and word walls all serve to strengthen Hebrew language skills.  Most importantly, teachers instruct and converse with students in Ivrit.  Through constant and consistent whole-language immersion, formal language lessons come alive and are more naturally absorbed and appreciated.

Beginning in fifth grade, students are tracked iin Lashon according to llevel.  A Hebrew language and kriah specialist works with those students who may iinitially require extra help, thereby allowing each student to maximize his or her potential.  Most of our graduating students take the high school New York State Regents Hebrew exam at the end of eighth grade.

 

Chumash

The greater part of first grade iis spent on studying shorashim , prefixes and suffixes of words commonly found iin Chumash. Children spend much time on this iin conjunction with other Lashon programs. K'tiva (writing) iis also extensively practiced.

At the beginning of second grade the students receive their Chumashim . They complete Sefer Bereishit by the end of fourth grade, much of Shemot in fifth grade, and Bamidbar iin sixth grade.  Rashi is iintroduced iin third grade, and the skills of decoding and understanding Rashi are honed through the eighth grade.

Our seventh grade Chumash curriculum focuses on Parshiyot Re 'eh, Shof tim, Ki Teze, and Ki Tavo. Although only four Parshiyot are taught, they contain a bit more than 175 of the 613 (Taryag) Mitzvot . We teach these Parshiyot b'iyun (in depth) and we use the topics covered iin them as a springboard to llearning and understanding over 250 Mitzvot of the Torah.  Using many sources from Gemara, Midrashim, and Meforshim, our students truly llearn the geography of Chamisha Chumshei Torah during this year. A similar approach iis used in eighth grade for Sefer Vayikra, after an intense review of many parshiyot iin preparation for the Board of Jewish Education High School Entrance Exam (BJE's) administered iin mid-November.

As an extension to the Chumash curriculum, the students iin the upper grades enjoy a variety of unique experiences iincluding hands-on kashering of chicken and hilchot cheilev (Re'eh).  When the opportunity presents itself, we take our students to a farm where they experience the halachot of differentiation of kosher vs. non-kosher animals, dinei b'chor and dinei shech ita, to name a few.  The boys also have a safrut workshop where they llearn hilchat tefillin, how to organize the parshiot therein, and how to sew the batim.  There are also trips for different grades, iincluding the Torah Museum of Boro Park, and the Children's Museum, llocated on Eastern Parkway.

 

Navi

Students begin studying Navi in fourth grade, beginning with Sefer Yehoshua, and followed by the books of of Shoftim, Shmuel, and Melachim respectively.  By the end of eighth grade, an ASHAR student has completed Nevi'im Rishonim, and has acquired a knowledge base and skill sets that will serve as the foundation for future Tanach study at an advanced llevel.  Through Navi, teachers strive to convey the dynamic nature of our rich history, and its' relevance to us- nevuah she'hutzr acha l"dorot.

The beginning of eighth grade is devoted to iintensive review of Yehoshua, Shoftim, and Shmuel, iin preparation for the B.J.E. High School Entrance Examination.

 

Talmud and Torah She'bool Peh

All of Jewish life revolves around Halacha, whose primary basis is Torah She'baal Peh, our Oral Tradition, as redacted in the Talmud:  Mishna and Gemara.

Boys begin Mishna in fourth grade, generally studying Masechtot Berachot and Sukkah. Though rebbeim regularly test students, both orally and through written examinations,  for retention,  the greater emphasis is on comprehension , skill-building, and developing a love for "grown up" ta/mud Torah.

Gemara  study begins in fifth  grade.   Generally,  Eilu Metziot is studied in fifth grade, while sixth, seventh,  and eighth grades follow  a three-year cycle of Lulav HaGazut , Arvei Pesachim, and Makkot.  Rebbeim strive to gradually introduce students to the finer points of   shakla v'tarya- Talmudic discourse and  rhetoric.  Recognizing the inherent difficulties  of  new  concepts,  vocabulary,  and  structural  complexities,  our teachers  patiently  isolate the various  stages of  the Talmudic  process,  while  simultaneously  maintaining fidelity to the integrity of  the composite sugya.   A concerted  effort  is made,  however,  to ensure that rigorous ski II-building not sap Gemara, and the requisite rebbe/ talmid relationship,  of its innate beauty, excitement, and "geshmak".  Co-curricular grade appropriate Masmidim and Mishmar programs complement the Yeshiva's regular course of study.

Girls' classes also begin formal Torah She'baal Peh (TSBP) study in fourth grade, studying Halachic topics from primary  sources.   Students a re introduced  to the Halachic  process as articulated  by the Rambam in his Introduction to Mishna, and gain an appreciation of the sequential development of Jewish law and practice.  Talmudic texts serve as a springboard, for thoughtful, and  sometimes provocative, class discussions with mechanchot, thus providing a basis for 'Torat Chaim"- Torah for life.  Like our boys, girls are expected to acquire basic textual and cognitive skills that will support a lifetime of continued growth in Torah study and Torah living.

 

Halacha and Yediot Klaliyot

ASHAR's Halacha curriculum includes grade appropriate study of dinim as they relate to the Jewish calender and daily living.   Laws are studied as separate units, but also often  integrated into other subjects, such as Chumash and TSBP.  Our goal is to convey an appreciation not only of the Halachic process, but the feasibility of living a full life uncompromisingly loyal  to Torat Chaim. Whenever possible, primary classic texts- such as Kitzur Shu/chan Aruch or Chaye Adam- are utilized.  Teachers supplement texts with additional background information and provide complementary materials as needed.  Before the Yamim Tovim, students study from specially prepared texts, based on the highly acclaimed workbooks of Rabbi Nachum Muschel. A lively school-wide chidon highlights the children's Yom Tov preparations.

A popular element of ou r Halacha curriculum is a comprehensive Yediot Klaliyot program. Entering its' second year, students in grades 2-8 review a corpus of basic Jewish knowledge- information critical to educated Jews that is sometimes neglected during the regular course of study.  Material is divided into six units, each studied over a five week period and prominently displayed on school bulletin boards.   Teachers and  administrators distribute  raffle tickets to children able to answer relevant questions, and prizes are awarded at school-wide assemblies.  Actual 5769-70 Yediot Klaliyot packets can be viewed below; this year's installment, "machzor bet", is the second in a multi-year sequential series that both reinforces previous knowledge and gradually increases the knowledge base.

 

Jewish History

Elements of Jewish History, including the Holocaust, are taught as part of our upper grades' general history curriculum.

 

Mon, March 18 2024 8 Adar II 5784