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Hillel Yeshiva Middle School is committed to excellence in both Judaic and general studies. Our purpose in the middle school is to build on the skills and traits acquired in the elementary school, and bring students to the threshold of high school prepared in every respect. This preparation must be complete in two fields, character development and academic skills. We seek to produce students of exemplary character infused with a love for Torah and learning, for the Land of Israel, and for observance of the mitzvot. At the same time, we strive to place our students on an academic plateau that will enable them to excel in high school and beyond.
Curricular Requirements The subjects studied in the curriculum are Perasha, Halacha, Keriah, Navi, Humash, Hebrew Language, as well as Mishna and Gemara for the boys. The program consists of 19 periods of Judaic studies per week.
Humash Curriculum
Students study Humash an average of four to five periods per week. Our goal is to develop students who are capable of reading all sections of Humash (textual mastery) with understanding, and are able to fluently read Rashi as an aid to that understanding. Humash is an excellent field in which to introduce Torah as a way of life. It yields many valuable lessons in character perfection that can be integrated in everyday life.
Our middle school students study Sefer Shemot and Bamidbar, having already completed Sefer Bereishit in grades 1-4.
Grade 6: Yitro, Mishpatim, Teruma, Tizave, Ki Tisa
Grade 7: Bamidbar, Naso, Behaalotecha, Shelach, Korach
Grade 8: Chukat, Balak, Pinchas, Matot, Masei
Criteria for Goal Achievement
- Ability to translate each phrase into English
- Ability to transform Humash phrases into Hebrew phrases that use contemporary Hebrew grammar and include recognition of tense and person and the "breaking up" of possessives
- Ability to recognize words and phrases out of context
- Ability to identify root (shoresh) of each word
- Ability to converse in Hebrew
- Ability to explain basic concepts, ideas, and mitzvot that are contained within the pesukim.
- Ability to read and translate Rashi's commentary with proficiency and to recognize the question and answer of Rashi
- Ability to "prepare on their own", read and translate pesukim and select Rashis not yet studied.
- Ability to answer simple recall questions asked in Hebrew
- Ability to locate in the Humash answers in Hebrew
- Ability to compare, contrast and analyze approaches of selected commentators within the Mikraot Gedolot (grades 7&8)
Navi Curriculum
Students study Navi an average of two to three periods per week. While studying the text, the students will learn about the historical background surrounding the Navi and also about the major themes, people, and events in the early prophets. The primary reward in this study, however, is the moral/ethical message that the Navi imparts to all generations.
Grade 6: Sefer Shemuel 1
Grade 7: Sefer Shemuel 2
Grade 8: Sefer Melachim 1
Criteria for Goal Accomplishment
- Ability to translate all phrases in the pesukim which are common in Tanach
- Ability to explain the major concepts and themes of the Navi (Musar Haskail)
- Knowledge of people, places, and events
- Ability to utilize commentaries (Radak, Rashi, Metzudot David and Zion, Malbim) to further understanding of text (grades 7&8)
Halacha Curriculum
Students study Halacha two periods a week. The main goal in this subject is to foster an excitement for participation in Yahadut, observing the mitzvot, and yirat shamayim. Included in the curriculum is the study of Megilat Esther, Megilat Ruth, Hagada, and laws and customs of the holidays. The curriculum consists of two sections, Halacha and Yediot Kelaliyot. Each grade has its own Halacha book, written specifically for it, which covers different subject matter. Some halachot included in the program are Hilchot Hashkamat Haboker, Tefila, Netilat Yadayim, Lashon Hara, Halbanat Pnei Chaveiro, Sefirat Haomer, and some major topics of Shabbat including the positive Mitzvot of Shabbat such as Kiddush, Havdala, lighting candles, etc.
Perasha Curriculum
Our Perasha curriculum covers the three sefarim; Bereishit, Shemot, and Vayikra on a "bekiut" level. Each student receives a perasha sheet to be independently prepared at home for the perasha lesson. In addition to a review of the sheet, which covers the primary points of the perasha, a Dvar Torah is taught and studied so that students can repeat it at the Shabbat table. A short multiple-choice quiz is administered on the last week's perasha.
Hebrew Language Curriculum
The goal of this curriculum is to develop students capable of basic to advanced Hebrew skills and whose working knowledge of Hebrew forms a firm foundation for the learning of Torah. This curriculum also instills in our students an attachment to Israel and its people. Grades 6-8th utilize the Neta Ivrit Curriculum. Neta includes the four strategies of learning a language; grammar, reading, writing, and listening. The students learn through text, stories, conversations, and video relevant to their everyday lives.
Criteria for Goal Accomplishment
- Ability to correctly write a Hebrew composition
- Ability to correctly respond in Hebrew, to Hebrew verbal questions
- Ability to read Hebrew short stories
- Ability to converse in Hebrew
Mishna Curriculum (Boys)
Students study Mishna three times a week. Our goal is to develop students who are independent in the study of Mishnayot and mastery of the text. Grade 5 studies Mishna Berachot and Grade 6 studies Bava Kama Perek 3, "Hamaineach". The sixth grade Mishna program is integrated with a Gemara Lamatchililm program. Grade 6 not only studies the Mishna but also selected Gemara sugyot and pesukim from Perashat Mishpatim (biblical sources) related to their perek of Mishna. They will also master Aramaic terminology and Gemara Lashon found in their perek.
Criteria For Goal Accomplishments
- Ability to read, translate, and explain mishnayot learned in class
- Ability to read, translate, and explain the commentary of Rav Ovadia M'Bartenura which was learned in class
- Mastery of the Aramaic terminology and Gemara Lashon (grade 6)
- Ability to translate, out of context, phrases and words from the text
- The building of an extensive knowledge of Mishna concepts.
- Ability to independently learn Mishnayot with the "Kehati" (advanced students)
- Memorization of selected Mishnayot
Mishna Curriculum (Girls)
For school year 2006-2007
Girls will study selected mishnayot taken from Pirkei Avot with their respective teachers. The girls will be introduced to the explanations of the different Mefarshim. Our goals are to introduce the girls to a limud of Torah Shebaal Peh and to further character development.
Gemara Curriculum (Boys)
Students study Gemara four times a week. The goal is to develop students who have an understanding and appreciation of the structure and development of the Gemara and are capable of reading and explaining material, which they have been taught. Grade 7 studies Bava Metzia Brachot chapter 4, and grade 8 studies Bava Metzia Perek 2, Eilu Metziot.
Criteria For Goal Accomplishments
- Ability to correctly read and translate selections of Gemara presented in class
- Ability to correctly read Rashi's commentary for understanding
- Ability to orally outline each segment of the learned material
- Ability to study selective Tosefot or other Mefarshim for a deeper understanding of the Gemara.
- The building of an extensive knowledge of Talmudic vocabulary and concepts
- Historical perspectives of the Gemara with regard to the Rabbis quoted
- Focus on the words that signal a change in the Gemara's direction from question to answer.
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