University Catalog > Undergraduate Programs > Undergraduate Torah Studies
Undergraduate Torah Studies at Yeshiva University is designed to meet the needs of young men from every background, and with varying levels of experience and expertise. The guiding vision of Yeshiva University—that the best of the heritage of contemporary civilization and knowledge is compatible with the ancient traditions of Jewish law and life—is embodied in the University’s dual curriculum of general and Torah studies. In addition to the general studies curricula leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts at Yeshiva College and Bachelor of Science at Sy Syms School of Business, students concurrently participate in Torah studies programs engaging with classic texts in the original Hebrew and Aramaic.
Intended to expose students to the teachings of the Torah, deepen ethical and philosophical insight and values, and to broaden textual skills and analysis, these programs also offer valuable training in research methods and opportunities for independent work. To achieve this end, each student must be enrolled in a full course of study in any one of the University’s four Undergraduate Torah Studies (UTS) programs: the Isaac Breuer College of Hebraic Studies (IBC), James Striar School of General Jewish Studies (JSS), Irving I. Stone Beit Midrash Program (SBMP), or Yeshiva Program/Mazer School of Talmudic Studies (MYP). The UTS programs offer robust programmatic opportunities both on and off-campus, which provide many opportunities for students to learn from their teachers and friends in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Students often forge life-long relationships with Rebbeim (faculty), Mashgichim (spiritual guidance counselors), and fellow students. ADMISSION Applicants are interviewed by the Dean, director, or an appointed administrator [which may include the bochein or advisors] of the program in order to provide an opportunity to evaluate the applicant’s background in Torah studies and to discuss the student’s program and course of study. Students wishing to enter a UTS program must demonstrate an interest in Torah studies, a respect for Yeshiva University’s distinctive values, history and tradition, and an ability to learn Jewish texts. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS Associate of Arts (AA)
A. Course and credit requirements: See the specific course and credit requirements as noted by each program. B. Residence requirement: Full-time residency in the Undergraduate Torah Studies programs for at least four semesters. C. Grade requirement: A minimum cumulative average of 2.000 (C grade). D. Administrative requirements: The prior or simultaneous receipt of a bachelor’s degree. Each student must have filed an Application for Degree during the registration period of the semester in which he completes all requirements. SCHOOL REGULATIONS Attendance: Students are expected to attend all of their scheduled class sessions and to be present promptly at the beginning of the session unless prevented from doing so by illness or another compelling cause. The instructor keeps a record of each student’s class attendance. A student’s attendance record is considered when determining his continuing status in the program. Continued unexcused absences of more than 50% of the scheduled sessions will result in the student receiving a grade of a G for the course, which may lead to probation or academic dismissal from the school. Permission to register late in a course does not in itself excuse the student’s absence from classes already held. STUDENT ACTIVITIES The Student Organization of Yeshiva (SOY), representing the UTS student body, meets regularly with the administration on matters of mutual concern. SOY coordinates and sponsors activities such as Shabbatonim, holiday celebrations, guest speakers, charity drives, periodic sales of seforim (texts) and lectures. ETHICS AND SCHOLARSHIP Faculty and students alike seek to create an atmosphere that provides and promotes the highest standards of ethical conduct and scholarship in the achievement of personal and professional goals. All rules and procedures delineated in the University’s academic integrity policy on cheating and plagiarism apply to students in Undergraduate Torah Studies courses.
ISAAC BREUER COLLEGE OF HEBRAIC STUDIES Isaac Breuer College of Hebraic Studies (IBC) provides a rich undergraduate course of study for students seeking a structured and comprehensive yet flexible program in the major areas of Jewish learning, such as Talmud, Bible, Hebrew language and literature, Jewish history, Jewish philosophy and ethics, and Jewish law. The program attracts students interested in a broad range of Jewish studies in addition to Talmud studies. The school was named in 1982 in recognition of a major gift by the late Hermann Merkin and his wife, Ursula, in memory of her father, Isaac Breuer. The college is the successor of Teachers Institute for Men, 1917–66, and Erna Michael College of Hebraic Studies, 1966–82. IBC is located on the Wilf Campus and benefits from its association with several of the University’s other schools and their educational resources, as well as from the wealth of public and private educational facilities in New York City. Students are required to register for at least 12.5 credits within the program each semester. The cumulative index of these courses transfers as 2.5 or 3 HES credits per semester toward completion of their bachelor’s degrees at Yeshiva College or Sy Syms School of Business. During the first year on campus students are required to take Chabura. The Chabura is a smaller, more informal class setting that helps students integrate into IBC by exposing them to various faculty members and a variety of topics and experiences.
IBC AA DEGREE REQUIREMENTS Successful completion of the courses required of all students to fulfill the YC/SSSB Jewish Studies requirement and thirteen additional courses distributed as follows: one Bible/Tanakh course and twelve more elective courses chosen from Bible/Tanakh, Halakhah (Jewish Law), Hebrew, Jewish History, Jewish Philosophy/Thought, Judaic Studies, and/or Talmud.
THE JAMES STRIAR SCHOOL OF GENERAL JEWISH STUDIES The James Striar School of General Jewish Studies was established in 1956 as the Jewish Studies Program and renamed in 1965 to honor the generosity of the Striar family in memory of their father, James Striar. Its location at the Wilf Campus affords stimulating interactions with the university’s other undergraduate schools as well as graduate schools and affiliates and provides easy access to the major resources of the Institution. The James Striar School is a comprehensive program for students seeking to improve and expand their skills and knowledge of Jewish studies on either the beginning or intermediate level. JSS is the only introductory Jewish studies program for college age students in the country designed to be taken simultaneously with a prestigious college program on the same campus. No matter what background they may have, all JSS students demonstrate an eagerness to grow in their commitment to “Jewish Living, Jewish Learning, and Jewish Leadership.”
The program teaches the fundamentals of Jewish scholarship and heritage through a unique curriculum and exciting out-of-classroom experiences. It offers courses in Hebrew language, Bible, Mishnah & Talmud, and Jewish History, Philosophy, Laws, & Customs. Rabbi Moshe Besdin zt”l, the founding director, sought to create an atmosphere dedicated to teaching “It, and not just about It” – i.e. to learn about Judaism in text and context, in thought and practice. The program sponsors regular weekend retreats/Shabbatonim as well as field trips to enhance the academic and Jewish experiences of its members. In addition to formal classes, the program fosters close relationships between teachers and students through continuing individual guidance. STUDENT ADVISEMENT The James Striar School feels that the key to a successful Torah learning experience is creating a warm relationship between a teacher and student. Teachers make themselves available to serve as advisers on an ongoing basis. Class sizes are kept small and intimate. The faculty is here to encourage each student to develop his own religious and spiritual path and facilitate that personal growth within Jewish life. During the first year on campus students are required to take Chabura as well as an Essentials class. The Chabura is a smaller class setting that helps students integrate into JSS and allows their Chabura leader to be their mentor throughout their time in JSS. During a student’s second year they will take Hebrew language. The JSS Hebrew language course includes an emphasis on being able to properly read and lead prayers. Juniors and Seniors take requirements as well as choosing from array from classes in many areas of Jewish studies. REQUIRED COURSES Students must register for at least 15 credits within the program each semester. The cumulative index of these courses will transfer as 2.5 or 3 HES credits per semester toward completion of their bachelor’s degrees at Yeshiva College or Sy Syms School of Business. Students who register for 17.5 or more JSS credits in a semester can request that they transfer as four HES credits.
JSS AA DEGREE REQUIREMENTS Completion of the required courses listed above for all students and six additional electives including at least two from Tanakh or Talmud as well as four courses chosen from Halakhah, Jewish History, Jewish Philosophy/Thought, Judaic Studies, Tanakh, and/or Talmud.
IRVING I. STONE BEIT MIDRASH PROGRAM
Established in 1995 through the benefaction of the Irving I. Stone Support Foundation, the Irving I. Stone Beit Midrash Program (SBMP) offers students a Torah studies program that recognizes their academic needs and time constraints while maintaining a high level of traditional study in a structured and diversified curriculum. The mission of SBMP is to create an educated and committed Yeshiva graduate with a broad base of knowledge. In addition to Talmud seder (preparation period) and shiur (lecture), the program includes courses in Tanakh (Bible), Machshevet Yisrael (Jewish thought, ethics, and philosophy) and Halakhah (Jewish law). Students derive the unique benefits of learning in a yeshiva Beit Midrash environment each day.
SBMP provides preparation for both ordination at the university’s affiliated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and for advanced graduate Hebraic or Semitic studies. The program also fosters a kesher (strong relationship) between the talmid (student) and his rebbe (teacher). Each shiur has a shoel u’maishiv (teaching mentor) to help students in their learning and ensure newcomers a smooth transition to SBMP from either high school or Israel Yeshiva experience.
A strong complement of mashgichim (spiritual guidance counselors) who staff the various Batei Midrash for regular morning and night sedarim helps students in their learning and spiritual growth. Students may transfer up to three credits per semester toward completion of their bachelor’s degrees at Yeshiva College or Sy Syms School of Business. SBMP AA DEGREE REQUIREMENTS Successful completion of the courses required of all students to fulfill the YC/SSSB Jewish Studies requirement plus six additional courses in Talmud.
YESHIVA PROGRAM/MAZER SCHOOL OF TALMUDIC STUDIES
The Yeshiva Program/Mazer School of Talmudic Studies (MYP) offers students the opportunity to study Talmudic texts and commentaries in the original Aramaic and Hebrew in a classical yeshiva setting. MYP was named through a major gift in 1979 by the Joseph and Ceil Mazer Foundation. It has been in existence as a separate entity since 1970, but is a continuation of the institution’s oldest component, the yeshiva from which the university developed. Students in MYP have varied professional and academic interests but are united in their desire to develop in Talmudic scholarship and knowledge of Halakhah (Jewish law). The heart of the curriculum is the intensive study of Talmud and its commentaries, designed not only to give the student a firm foundation in traditional learning skills and in the handling of original texts, but also direction, in both learning and character, and to develop an appreciation of the Jewish tradition. Students prepare for their lectures by studying with chavrusa partners in the Beit Midrash – which has always been the academic heart of the great centers of Jewish learning through the ages. The Mazer Yeshiva Program is a rigorous morning program with a commitment to intense Torah study from 9:00 AM until 2:30 PM on weekdays, and 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM on Sundays. One day per week is designated for early shiur, either on Tuesday or Thursday. On that day, MYP ends at 12:15 PM. The program expects a commitment to rigorous study of Torah from the morning extending into the afternoon, with a break for lunch. No matter what time an individual Rebbe gives shiur on a particular day, the expectation remains that students are involved in Talmud Torah until 2:30 PM, aside for the lunch break. Except for a shiur’s official “early day”, enrolling in an academic college course during that time period is a violation of that commitment. As such, undergraduate college classes for MYP students begin at 3:00 PM. If a student proceeds to register for a course at the time allotted for MYP, an automated notice of the conflict will be sent to the student’s email. The student will have 48 hours to resolve the issue with advising before the conflicting course will be dropped.
In addition to Talmud, there are elective classes in related texts and lectures in Mussar, which emphasize ethics, character improvement and an emphasis on the continuity of Jewish tradition from Sinai to the present. The faculty includes graduates of the foremost yeshivot, both here and abroad, who are internationally recognized scholars.
An integral part of the program is the highly successful voluntary night seder (study period) in the Beit Midrash, overseen by night seder Rebbeim and shoalim u’maishivim. Students also have the opportunity to attend bekiut shiurim (classes in additional Talmudic texts). A strong complement of mashgichim/shoalim u’maishivim (spiritual guidance counselors/teaching mentors) who staff the various Batei Midrash for regular morning and night sedarim helps students in their learning and spiritual growth. Additionally, each shiur has an assistant to help students in their learning and ensure newcomers a smooth transition to MYP from either high school or Israel Yeshiva experience.
Students may transfer up to three credits per semester toward completion of their bachelor’s degrees at Yeshiva College or Sy Syms School of Business. Class Assignments: Students are assigned to classes by the Dean, bochein, or a Mashgiach based on level and progress of learning as well as on student requests. Shiur changes may be made only with the permission of the dean, bochein, or administrator. Students not attending, or who are attending classes other than those officially assigned to them, may be placed on probation the following semester. Students receiving notices that they have not been assigned to a class must arrange to see the Dean, bochein, or administrator immediately. MYP AA DEGREE REQUIREMENTS Successful completion of the courses required of all students to fulfill the YC/SSSB Jewish Studies requirement plus six additional intensive courses in Talmud. ALL DAY LEARNING PROGRAM In 2012 Yeshiva University introduced a full day learning program that enables students who have been accepted into Yeshiva College or Sy Syms School of Business to spend up to one year learning full time in the Yeshiva Program, with special afternoon and evening requirements prior to commencing their course of study at YC or SSSB.
BA/SEMIKHAH PROGRAM Yeshiva University and its affiliate Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary have a long and rich history as an outstanding Yeshiva with the finest roshei yeshiva and talmidim. In keeping with this tradition, in 2015, Yeshiva University inaugurated the BA/Semikhah Program. This program allows students interested in Jewish education or the rabbinate to pursue a quality undergraduate degree, while fully immersed in the Torah that YU has to offer. Over the course of six years, talmidim will have the ability to earn a bachelor’s degree and rabbinic ordination, learn three sedarim a day and enjoy a unique halakhah curriculum. YESHIVA MASMIDIM HONORS PROGRAM Yeshiva University proudly inaugurated the Yeshiva Masmidim Honors Program in Fall 2006. The program, under the aegis of MYP, identifies exceptional incoming students each year who demonstrate potential to become genuine talmidei chochomim. Yeshiva University will provide these students with the opportunity to maximize their potential through a rigorous learning schedule and curriculum, within the framework of the university’s unique commitment to Torah Umadda. The program, directed by Rabbi Mayer Twersky, a renowned talmid chochom and rosh yeshiva, provides significant scholarships, mentorship, and bechinos. APPLICATION PROCESS AND ELIGIBILITY The program is open to students who have applied to Yeshiva College or Sy Syms School of Business. The admissions process for the Yeshiva Honors Program will include:
ADMISSIONS TIMELINE Bechinos will be administered and decisions will be announced in early April. Admitted talmidim must formally accept in writing (including e-mail) and may not defer their awards nor begin their studies in the spring semester. EXPECTATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Students will be mentored by Rabbi Twersky and others who will help them work to achieve their full potential in learning. In addition, we have incorporated into our program other responsibilities in order to foster the shleimus we seek for our talmidim:
TIME COMMITMENT There will be additional mandatory learning times beyond the usual morning and night seder, including: Friday morning seder: 9am – 12pm Night Seder: 8pm-11pm Elul Zman June Zman Talmidim are also expected to remain in Yeshiva at the following times: Yomim Noraim and Shavuos Two out of every four Shabbosos SUMMERS Talmidim are not required to stay in Yeshiva University for the summer, but the expectation is that other than a traditional bain hazmanim, talmidim will be involved in full-time learning. The program director will meet with talmidim to discuss and guide them in their specific summer plans. PROGRAM MAINTENANCE AND SECULAR STUDIES To remain eligible for the program, talmidim must maintain the following standards: