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Moadim Advanced

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Moadim Advanced PREMIUMPREMIUM TORAHTORAH COLLEGECOLLEGE PROGRAMSPROGRAMSTaTa l l Moadim Advanced February 2019 Advanced Moadim (Jewish Thought 202) —Study Guide— The advanced Moadim examination is based on information from The Book of Our Heritage (Sefer HaToda’ah), by R’ Eliyahu Kitov. There are three books in the series: (i) Book 1, Tishrei–Shevat; (ii) Book 2, Adar–Nissan; (iii) Book 3, Iyar–Elul. You need all three books in order to study for the examination. The examination contains three sections evaluating your knowledge of different aspects of the Moadim: the related mitzvos, minhagim, themes, and historical backgrounds. I. Short Answers — worth 33.3% of the final grade This section includes 10 (from a choice of 13) multipart questions, assessing the breadth of your knowledge of the Moadim, emphasizing awareness of the associated mitzvos, minhagim, historical backgrounds, and textual sources. II. Descriptive Essay — worth 33.3% of the final grade In this section you will be asked to write one 300 word essay (from a choice of two topics) based on a topic from the Theme Syllabus. You will need to draw on your knowledge of one or two specific Yamim Tovim and describe pertinent historical background, halachos, minhagim, and reasons for the practices. This Study Guide is the property of TAL and MUST be returned after you take the exam. Failure to do so is an aveirah of gezel. MoadimAdvSP v01.indd © 2019 by Torah Accreditation Liaison. All Rights Reserved. Advanced Moadim III. Explanatory Essay — worth 33.3% of the final grade In this section you will be asked to write one 300 word essay (from a choice of two topics) on a thematic/conceptual idea relating to one or two of the Moadim. The subjects you should prepare are outlined in the Theme Syllabus. You will be expected to present an in-depth and involved exploration of the subject, and will be assessed by your success at combining independent thought and analysis, textual support, and halachic verification. Both essays should be suitably structured, with the ideas presented in proper essay format (including an introduction, body, and conclusion). Time: You will have two and a half hours to complete the examination. In this Study Guide you will find: • The Theme Syllabus outline for the advanced Moadim examination essay (page 4) • The Topic Syllabus (page 8–54) • Essay writing guidelines (page 55) • A sample advanced Moadim examination for you to try (page 59). Please utilize the sample to familiarize yourself with the type of questions that will be asked, and for guidance as to how to answer them. NOTE: a. Please use dark black ink for all your answers. b. Accustom yourself to outlining your answers on scrap paper and writing practice essays clearly. Illegible exams will not be graded. c. The lowest passing score on this exam is 70. You will not get credit for a score below 70, though in the case of a failed or illegible paper, you may be able to retake the examination after waiting six months. Grades for transcripts are calculated as follows: A = 90–100% B = 80–89% C = 70–79 MoadimAdvSP v01.indd Page 3 of 65 © 2019 by Torah Accreditation Liaison. All Rights Reserved. Advanced Moadim Advanced Moadim —Theme Syllabus— The Theme Syllabus below aims to aid your preparation for both the descriptive and explanatory essay sections of the Moadim examination. The essays require you to demonstrate an understanding of some general issues about the Moadim. As the name suggests, the Theme Syllabus outlines the broad themes or areas on which you should focus your studies when preparing. It is advisable first to read through the Theme Syllabus to familiarize yourself with the ideas contained therein. Then work through the Topic Syllabus, bearing in mind that in addition to learning the individual topic questions you should aim to have a general understanding of the concepts discussed in the Theme Syllabus. By learning all the topic questions on any particular Moed you will know all the information necessary for writing the essay about that Moed; the Theme Syllabus is a guide to focus your studies and further prepare you for the essays. Take note that sometimes a composition may be about more than one Moed, e.g. Pesach and Succos, and you will have to discuss issues relevant to both. Under each heading in the following outline are listed the issues on which you should concentrate your studies. These theme headings do not correspond to the headings used in The Book of Our Heritage, but rather to issues addressed there. A. ROSH HASHANAH, THE ASERES YEMEI TESHUVAH, AND YOM KIPPUR 1. Understand how Hashem judges man on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and how teshuvah affects the judgment. 2. Explore ideas that indicate that Hashem wants man to do teshuvah rather than to perish. For example: a. why He chooses to judge man on Rosh Hashanah b. why there are the Aseres — ten — Yemei Teshuvah c. why He commanded us to sound the shofar d. how He treats those who do teshuvah e. how Yom Kippur atones for our sins MoadimAdvSP v01.indd Page 4 of 65 © 2019 by Torah Accreditation Liaison. All Rights Reserved. Advanced Moadim 3. Identify the minhagim and practices of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah which help ensure that we attain a good judgment. B. SUCCOS AND SIMCHAS TORAH 1. Understand how the following mitzvos of the Yom Tov are properly performed, both practically (as outlined in the Topic Syllabus) and the proper intentions to have: a. dwelling in a succah b. taking the arba minim c. doing Hoshanos and beating the aravah d. honoring and experiencing joy on Yom Tov e. rejoicing on Simchas Torah 2. Understand how the Yom Tov of Succos, and especially the mitzvah of dwelling in a succah, teaches us to have faith in Hashem. C. ROSH CHODESH There are currently no essay theme topics about Rosh Chodesh. D-I. CHANUKAH 1. Appreciate the events of Chanukah. a. Analyze the reasons why war broke out between the Jews and the Yevanim (Greeks) in the story of the Chashmonaim. b. Examine the lessons that can be learnt from the events of the time. c. Understand how the practices and minhagim of Chanukah commemorate the events and miracles of the Yom Tov. (See the sample essay, page 63.) 2. Study the halachos regarding the ideal way of lighting the Menorah (as outlined in the Topic Syllabus). D-II. PURIM 1. Appreciate the events of Purim. a. Analyze why there was a decree of annihilation upon the Jews, and the way Mordechai and Esther responded to it. MoadimAdvSP v01.indd Page 5 of 65 © 2019 by Torah Accreditation Liaison. All Rights Reserved. Advanced Moadim b. Examine the lessons that can be learnt from the salvation. c. Understand the reasons for Taanis Esther. d. Understand how the practices and minhagim of Purim commemorate the events and miracles of the Yom Tov. For example: (i) why Purim is celebrated in different cities on different days, and (ii) the reasons for the four mitzvos: reading the Megillah, the seudah (with wine), giving matanos la’evyonim (gifts to the poor), and, mishloach manos (food items to friends). 2. Study the halachos regarding the best way of fulfilling the four mitzvos (as outlined in the Topic Syllabus). E. PESACH 1. Understand how Yetzias Mitzrayim demonstrated that Hashem loves Yisrael and is All-Powerful. 2. Study the proper way to fulfill the following mitzvos (as indicated in the Topic Syllabus): a. searching for and removing chametz b. reciting the Haggadah c. eating matzah and marror d. drinking the four cups of wine 3. Be familiar with the mitzvos and minhagim of the Seder night. a. Know what preparations one needs to make on Erev Pesach to fulfill all the mitzvos of Seder night. b. Identify the minhagim and practices of Seder night that recall (i) the bondage in Mitzrayim, (ii) the geulah, and (iii) both. c. Understand how all these minhagim and practices, together with the reciting of the Haggadah, help a person experience the feeling that he has left Mitzrayim. F. SHAVUOS 1. Understand how Mattan Torah revealed that Hashem is All-Powerful and that He loves Yisrael. 2. Study the halachos and minhagim of Shavuos and the days immediately before it, MoadimAdvSP v01.indd Page 6 of 65 © 2019 by Torah Accreditation Liaison. All Rights Reserved. Advanced Moadim and understand how these halachos and minhagim commemorate the miracles and events of the period. G. TISHAH B’AV 1. Analyze the tragic events that occurred on the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av, and understand why they happened. 2. Study the halachos and minhagim of the three weeks between these dates (as detailed in the Topic Syllabus). a. Understand how these halachos and minhagim help us remember and mourn the events that occurred. b. In particular, consider how the halachos of Tishah B’Av (including the preparations for the day) express its essence. MoadimAdvSP v01.indd Page 7 of 65 © 2019 by Torah Accreditation Liaison. All Rights Reserved. Advanced Moadim Advanced Moadim —Topic Syllabus— This section of the syllabus leads you through the three volumes of The Book of Our Heritage, and indicates the information that you are required to learn. The books are divided into sections corresponding to the Jewish months, and some sections are subdivided into a number of chapters. Furthermore, each chapter (or section, where there are no chapters) is conveniently arranged with subtitles drawing attention to the different subjects discussed therein. The topic questions below (in the right-hand column) are referenced according to these subtitles, with the corresponding page numbers recorded in square brackets in the left-hand column.
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