Zekelman Standards

1. תורה שבכתב Essentials

This standard includes information about: the nature of תורה שבכתב, the approach one needs to learn it effectively, how to navigate it and the key concepts and ideas that determine how the books, chapters and verses are organized.  Some of the information should be taught as introductory units while other information should be taught as it appears.

The Nature and Purpose of תורה שבכתב

Enduring Understandings

  1. Learning תורה is a unique opportunity to unite with ‘ה.
  2. תורה is eternal and unchanging.
  3. תורה is the only absolute truth.
  4. The language of חומש is לשון הקודש, the G-dly language with which ‘ה created the world. תורה is written very concisely, with every detail and juxtaposition of events/narratives/הלכות having untold and sacred significance.
  5. תורה is ‘ה’s infinite wisdom and can never be fully understood, while also allowing for multiple levels of understanding. (פרד”ס)
  6. תורה שבעל פה and תורה שבכתב are two parts of one whole, fully dependent on one another.
  7. ‘ה gave us the rules and tools to learn the Torah; these are also part of Torah. (Upper grades)
  8. ‘ה transmitted His whole תורה to us through משה רבינו, at הר סיני.
  9. As the blueprint of creation, תורה is relevant in all areas of life and everything in the world is contained within it. (אסתכל באורייתא… הפך בה והפך…)
  10. תורה is ‘ה communicating to humans; guiding our lives and teaching us lessons. (It is not primarily a history book).
  11. When applying תורה to our personal lives, we should use the guidance of other תורה sources to be sure that we are taking a lesson that is in the spirit of what the תורה intends.
  12. What happened to our אבות is a precursor for what will happen to the Jewish people in the future, and gives us the כח to endure similar challenges. (מעשה אבות סימן לבנים – חומש בראשית)

Essential Questions

  1. Why spend so much time learning חומש? Why do we study what is no longer practiced?
  2. What is the relationship between תורה and science? What kinds of questions am I allowed to ask?
  3. What is the relationship between תורה and science? What kinds of questions am I allowed to ask?
  4. Are details important? Does sequence matter?
  5. Can questions have more than one answer? Is there more than one way to explain this? How can different opinions both be true? (Upper grades – what does חסידות add to our understanding?)
  6. How do we know that? [If I don’t see the information in the חומש,] Who said so? Where does it say that? Why didn’t the חומש say this explicitly?
  7. Can I make up my own interpretation?
  8. ‘ה transmitted His whole תורה to us through משה רבינו, at הר סיני.
  9. What does the תורה say about this issue/topic?
  10. What does this teach me? How is this relevant to my own life?
  11. What does this teach me? How is this relevant to my own life?
  12. Why does the תורה record some events while leaving out others? Why are these stories so important?

1.01 חכמתו ורצונו של הקב”ה

A. Relates to a ספר of חומש with respect and affection as prescribed by הלכה and מנהג (such as kissing the חומש after use and not putting it on the floor).

B. Relates to study of חומש with appropriate reverence, as reflected in conduct according to הלכה and דרך ארץ (such as washing נעגל וואסער and saying ברכות התורה before learning, and sitting respectfully).[1]

C. Knows that time spent learning תורה is an opportunity to fulfill the מצוה (and daily חיוב of לימוד תורה.)

D. Identifies the חומש texts as the identical text found in other printed חומשים or in a ספר תורה.

E. N/A

F. Knows that there is an orderly sequence to חומש that is usually chronological.

G. N/A

H. N/A

I. N/A

J. Knows that the תורה was given through משה רבינו at הר סיני.

K. N/A

A. Relates to a ספר of חומש with respect and affection as prescribed by הלכה and מנהג (such as kissing the חומש after use and not putting it on the floor).

B. Relates to study of חומש with appropriate reverence, as reflected in conduct according to הלכה and דרך ארץ (such as washing נעגל וואסער and saying ברכות התורה before learning, and sitting respectfully).

C. Knows that time spent learning תורה is an opportunity to fulfill the מצוה (and daily חיוב of לימוד תורה.)

D. Identifies the חומש texts as the identical text found in other printed חומשים or in a ספר תורה.

E. N/A

F. Knows that there is an orderly sequence to חומש that is usually chronological.

G. N/A

H. N/A

I. Recognizes that we need תורה שבעל פה (as cited by commentaries on חומש) to assist in understanding the פסוק.

J. Knows that the תורה was given through משה רבינו at הר סיני.

K. N/A

A. Relates to a ספר of חומש with respect and affection as prescribed by הלכה and מנהג (such as kissing the חומש after use and not putting it on the floor).

B. Relates to study of חומש with appropriate reverence, as reflected in conduct according to הלכה and דרך ארץ (such as washing נעגל וואסער and saying ברכות התורה before learning, and sitting respectfully).[1]

C. Describes the תורה as חכמתו ורצונו של הקב”ה, and Torah study as an opportunity to connect with ‘ה (as a “meeting of minds,” so to speak).

D. Knows that every ספר תורה has been copied from a pre-existing ספר תורה, all the way back to the first one that was written by משה רבינו in the מדבר. Therefore the text of all ספרי תורה throughout the world, and throughout the ages, is always the same.

E.  Asks, “I don’t understand,” instead of “it doesn’t make sense.”

F. Knows that there is an orderly sequence to חומש that is usually chronological.

G. N/A

H. Recognizes the role of commentary in providing additional levels of understanding.

I. N/A

J. Recognizes that we need תורה שבעל פה (as cited by commentaries on חומש) to assist in understanding the פסוק.

K. Knows that תורה שבעל פה was given with the תורה שבכתב to משה רבינו at הר סיני.

L. N/A

A. Relates to a ספר of חומש with respect and affection as prescribed by הלכה and מנהג (such as kissing the חומש after use and not putting it on the floor).

B. Relates to study of חומש with appropriate reverence, as reflected in conduct according to הלכה and דרך ארץ (such as washing נעגל וואסער and saying ברכות התורה before learning, and sitting respectfully).[1]

C. Describes the תורה as חכמתו ורצונו של הקב”ה, and Torah study as an opportunity to connect with ‘ה (as a “meeting of minds,” so to speak).

D. Knows that every  ספר תורה has been copied from a pre-existing ספר תורה, all the way back to the first one that was written by משה רבינו in the מדבר. Therefore the text of all ספרי תורה throughout the world, and throughout the ages, is always the same.

E.  Asks, “I don’t understand,” instead of “it doesn’t make sense.”

F. Knows that there are sometimes deviations in the order of the חומש, to bring out other messages than chronology, and quotes the מחז”ל of  “אין מוקדם ומאוחר בתורה”.

G. Knows that פרשיות are placed in particular order for particular reasons and this juxtaposition is called הפרשיות סמיכות.

H. Recognizes the role of commentary in providing additional levels of understanding.

I. Differentiates between דרש and פשט.

J. Recognizes that we need תורה שבעל פה (as cited by commentaries on חומש) to assist in understanding the פסוק.

K. Knows that תורה שבעל פה was given with the תורה שבכתב to משה רבינו at הר סיני.

L. N/A

A. Relates to a ספר of חומש with respect and affection as prescribed by הלכה and מנהג (such as kissing the חומש after use and not putting it on the floor).

B. Relates to study of חומש with appropriate reverence, as reflected in conduct according to הלכה and דרך ארץ (such as washing נעגל וואסער and saying ברכות התורה before learning, and sitting respectfully).[1]

C. Describes the תורה as חכמתו ורצונו של הקב”ה, and Torah study as an opportunity to connect with ‘ה (as a “meeting of minds,” so to speak).

D. Knows that every ספר תורה has been copied from a pre-existing ספר תורה, all the way back to the first one that was written by משה רבינו in the מדבר. Therefore the text of all ספרי תורה throughout the world, and throughout the ages, is always the same.

E. Asks “how can we understand this better,” and looks for possible solutions, rather than disagreeing or making judgmental statements.

F. Knows that there are sometimes deviations in the order of the חומש, to bring out other messages than chronology, and quotes the מחז”ל:
“אין מוקדם ומאוחר בתורה”.

G. Recognizes that there can be more than one understanding to explain the text, and quotes the מחז”ל : 
שבעים פנים לתורה.” [3]” 

H. Differentiates between דרש and פשט.

I. Recognizes that we need תורה שבעל פה (as cited by commentaries on חומש) to assist in understanding the פסוק.

J. Explains that תורה שבעל פה employs specific rules of interpretation, and cites and explains the examples of קל וחומר and גזירת שוה.

K. Quotes the מחז”ל, “הפך בה והפך בה דכולא בה,” and explains that, therefore,  תורה has a say about any issue in our lives and in the world around us (citing examples from the text being learned[4]).

A. Relates to a ספר of חומש with respect and affection as prescribed by הלכה and מנהג (such as kissing the חומש after use and not putting it on the floor).

B. Relates to study of חומש with appropriate reverence, as reflected in conduct according to הלכה and דרך ארץ (such as washing נעגל וואסער and saying ברכות התורה before learning, and sitting respectfully).[1]

C. Describes the תורה as חכמתו ורצונו של הקב”ה, and Torah study as an opportunity to connect with ‘ה (as a “meeting of minds,” so to speak).

D. Knows that every ספר תורה has been copied from a pre-existing ספר תורה, all the way back to the first one that was written by משה רבינו in the מדבר. Therefore the text of all ספרי תורה throughout the world, and throughout the ages, is always the same.

E. Asks “how can we understand this better,” and looks for possible solutions, rather than disagreeing or making judgmental statements.

F. Knows that there are sometimes deviations in the order of the חומש, to bring out other messages than chronology, and quotes the מחז”ל of “אין מוקדם ומאוחר בתורה”.

G. Recognizes that there can be more than one understanding to explain the text, and quotes the מחז”ל  of “שבעים פנים לתורה.”

H. Differentiates between דרש and פשט.

I. Recognizes that we need תורה שבעל פה (as cited by commentaries on חומש) to assist in understanding the פסוק.

J. Explains that תורה שבעל פה employs specific rules of interpretation, and cites and explains the examples of קל וחומר and גזירת שוה.

K. Quotes the מחז”ל of, “הפך בה והפך בה דכולא בה” and explains that, therefore,  תורה has a say about any issue in our lives and in the world around us (citing examples from the text being learned[4]).

A. Relates to a ספר of חומש with respect and affection as prescribed by הלכה and מנהג (such as kissing the חומש after use and not putting it on the floor).

B. Relates to study of חומש with appropriate reverence, as reflected in conduct according to הלכה and דרך ארץ (such as washing נעגל וואסער and saying ברכות התורה before learning, and sitting respectfully).[1]

C. Explains that תורה study is an opportunity to achieve a singular unity with  ‘ה.[2]

D. Explains the main ideas of the 8th and 9th principles of the רמבם’s יג עקרי אמונה concerning the Divine origin and unchanging nature of תורה.

E. Asks “how can we understand this better,” and looks for possible solutions, rather than disagreeing or making judgmental statements.

F. Knows that there are sometimes deviations in the order of the חומש, to bring out other messages than chronology, and quotes the מחז”ל of “אין מוקדם ומאוחר בתורה”.

G. Recognizes that there can be more than one understanding to explain the text, and quotes the מחז”ל of  “שבעים פנים לתורה.”[3]

H. Differentiates between פשט, רמז, דרש and סוד.

I. Recognizes that we need תורה שבעל פה (as cited by commentaries on חומש) to assist in understanding the פסוק.

J. Explains that תורה שבעל פה employs specific rules of interpretation, and cites and explains the examples of קל וחומר and גזירת שוה.

K. Quotes the מחז”ל, “הפך בה והפך בה דכולא בה,” and explains that, therefore,  תורה has a say about any issue in our lives and in the world around us (citing examples from the text being learned[4]).

A. Relates to a ספר of חומש with respect and affection as prescribed by הלכה and מנהג (such as kissing the חומש after use and not putting it on the floor).

B. Relates to study of חומש with appropriate reverence, as reflected in conduct according to הלכה and דרך ארץ (such as washing נעגל וואסער and saying ברכות התורה before learning, and sitting respectfully).[1]

C. Explains that תורה study is an opportunity to achieve a singular unity with ‘ה.
[2]

D. Explains the main ideas of the 8th and 9th principles of the רמבם’s יג עקרי אמונה concerning the Divine origin and unchanging nature of תורה.

E. Asks “how can we understand this better,” and looks for possible solutions, rather than disagreeing or making judgmental statements.

F. Knows that there are sometimes deviations in the order of the חומש, to bring out other messages than chronology, and quotes the מחז”ל of “אין מוקדם  ומאוחר בתורה”.

G. Recognizes that there can be more than one understanding to explain the text, and quotes the מחז”ל of “שבעים פנים לתורה.”
[3]

H. Differentiates between פשט, רמז, דרש and סוד.

I. Recognizes that we need תורה שבעל פה (as cited by commentaries on חומש) to assist in understanding the פסוק.

J. Explains that תורה שבעל פה employs specific rules of interpretation, and cites and explains the examples of קל וחומר and גזירת שוה.

K. Quotes the מחז”ל, “הפך בה והפך בה דכולא בה,” and explains that, therefore,  תורה has a say about any issue in our lives and in the world around us (citing examples from the text being learned[4]).

[1] ‘קיצור שלחן ערוך, סימן כ”ח, סעיף ד’, ט
[2] See ‘תניא, פרק ה, which explains the מעלה of the מצוה of learning תורה.
[3] A more rigorous level of understanding stems from the related “מחז”ל, “אלו ואלו דברי א-לקים חיים, indicating that multiple explanations are correct. See the Appendix on this standard for further elaboration of these concepts.
[4] Such as the fact that all animals in existence that either split hooves or chew their cuds are listed in פרשת שמיני.

1.02 תורה מלשון הוראה

A. Recognizes that there is a lesson to be learned from every topic in חומש.

B. N/A

C. Sees the אבות and their conduct as examples for us and our lives.

A. Recognizes that there is a lesson to be learned from every topic in חומש.

B. N/A

C. Sees the אבות and their conduct as examples for us and our lives.

A. When a lesson has been learned, thinks of ways that the lesson applies in their personal life.

B. Understands that the word תורה is related to הוראה, indicating that the primary purpose of תורה is to teach us lessons for our lives.

C. Sees the accomplishments of the אבות as something which was passed down in our “spiritual DNA,” enabling us to achieve similar things.

A. When a lesson has been learned, thinks of ways that the lesson applies in their personal life.

B. Understands that the word תורה is related to הוראה, indicating that the primary purpose of תורה is to teach us lessons for our lives.

C. Sees the accomplishments of the אבות as something which was passed down in our “spiritual DNA,” enabling us to achieve similar things.

A. When a lesson has been learned, thinks of ways that the lesson applies in their personal life.

B.  Students expect personal relevance and lessons in עבודת ה in every topic in חומש. [5]

C. Sees comparisons between situations in the lives of our אבות and events in our nation’s history and our personal lives.

A. When a lesson has been learned, thinks of ways that the lesson applies in their personal life.

B.  Students expect personal relevance and lessons in עבודת ה in every topic in חומש. [5]

C. Sees comparisons between situations in the lives of our אבות and events in our nation’s history and our personal lives.

A. When a lesson has been learned, thinks of ways that the lesson applies in their personal life.

B.  Students expect personal relevance and lessons in עבודת ה in every topic in חומש. [5]

C. Sees comparisons between situations in the lives of our אבות and events in our nation’s history and our personal lives.

A. When a lesson has been learned, thinks of ways that the lesson applies in their personal life.

B.  Students expect personal relevance and lessons in עבודת ה in every topic in חומש. [5]

C. Sees comparisons between situations in the lives of our אבות and events in our nation’s history and our personal lives.

[5] According to the Chassidic interpretation of the words זאת התורה אדם in במדבר, יט:יד.

תנ”ך Conventions

The student will be able to use the conventions of תנ”ך, such as its method of punctuation and the way it is organized, as the guide to being able to read the text with better understanding.

Note to Teachers:

  • The Conventions Appendix is referenced throughout this standard, with the number for each particular convention. 
  • The scope and sequence for this standard is suggested, but if a particular convention comes up in the חומש earlier, it can be taught then.
  • Conventions which appear in the Appendix but are not scoped below should be taught when they come up in the חומש.

Enduring Understandings

  1. Chumash conventions are part of the מסורה from סיני and preserve its integrity.
  2. The חומש conventions are precise and significant, and the basis for many important לימודים.

Essential Questions

  1. Why is it hard to learn from a ספר תורה? Do we need punctuation? Where do all the symbols and markings in חומש that I don’t see in the ספר תורה come from?
  2. Why is the חומש text so “busy”? Why are there so many dots, symbols and confusing letters in the חומש?

1.03 לשון התורה

A. Knows that the Torah is written בלשון קודש – Hashem’s Holy Language with which ‘ה created the World.

B. N/A

C. N/A

A. Knows that the Torah is written בלשון קודש – Hashem’s Holy Language with which ‘ה created the World.

B. Recognize that the Torah speaks ‘בלשון נקי and will often use more words to say something in a nicer way e.g איננו טהור instead of טמא.

C. Recognize that דברה תורה בלשון בני אדם – the Torah is written in a way that Man can understand, but it is not literal when speaking about Hashem. E.g.. Hashem has no Hand. (This is anthropomorphic language.)

A. Knows that the Torah is written בלשון קודש – Hashem’s Holy Language with which ‘ה created the World.

B. Recognize that the Torah speaks ‘בלשון נקי and will often use more words to say something in a nicer way e.g איננו טהור instead of טמא.

C. Recognize that דברה תורה בלשון בני אדם – the Torah is written in a way that Man can understand, but it is not literal when speaking about Hashem. E.g.. Hashem has no Hand. (This is anthropomorphic language.)

A. Knows that the Torah is written בלשון קודש – Hashem’s Holy Language with which ‘ה created the World.

B. Recognize that the Torah speaks ‘בלשון נקי and will often use more words to say something in a nicer way e.g איננו טהור instead of טמא.

C. Recognize that דברה תורה בלשון בני אדם – the Torah is written in a way that Man can understand, but it is not literal when speaking about Hashem. E.g.. Hashem has no Hand. (This is anthropomorphic language.)

A. Knows that the Torah is written בלשון קודש – Hashem’s Holy Language with which ‘ה created the World.

B. Knows that ‘לשון נקי is one example of תיקון סופרים, changes in the way that something is written in the תורה in order to teach us something, and can name some other examples as well.

C. Recognize that דברה תורה בלשון בני אדם – the Torah is written in a way that Man can understand, but it is not literal when speaking about Hashem. E.g.. Hashem has no Hand. (This is anthropomorphic language.)

A. Knows that the Torah is written בלשון קודש – Hashem’s Holy Language with which ‘ה created the World.

B. Knows that ‘לשון נקי is one example of תיקון סופרים, changes in the way that something is written in the תורה in order to teach us something, and can name some other examples as well.

C. Recognize that דברה תורה בלשון בני אדם – the Torah is written in a way that Man can understand, but it is not literal when speaking about Hashem. E.g.. Hashem has no Hand. (This is anthropomorphic language.)

A. Knows that the Torah is written בלשון קודש – Hashem’s Holy Language with which ‘ה created the World.

B. Knows that ‘לשון נקי is one example of תיקון סופרים, changes in the way that something is written in the תורה in order to teach us something, and can name some other examples as well.

C. Recognize that דברה תורה בלשון בני אדם – the Torah is written in a way that Man can understand, but it is not literal when speaking about Hashem. E.g.. Hashem has no Hand. (This is anthropomorphic language.)

A. Knows that the Torah is written בלשון קודש – Hashem’s Holy Language with which ‘ה created the World.

B. Knows that ‘לשון נקי is one example of תיקון סופרים, changes in the way that something is written in the תורה in order to teach us something, and can name some other examples as well.

C. Recognize that דברה תורה בלשון בני אדם – the Torah is written in a way that Man can understand, but it is not literal when speaking about Hashem. E.g.. Hashem has no Hand. (This is anthropomorphic language.)

[6] אותיות רבתי–זעירי, נ הפוכה, ניקוד מעל האותיות, אותיות תלויות, כתרים (See items 9, 10 and 11 in Appendix).

1.04 כתב, אותיות, וניקוד

A. Identifies that there is a unique script in the ספר תורה which is only used for סת”ם. (#10 in Appendix), and that there are sometimes unusually sized letters: אותיות רבתי וזעירי (#9 in Appendix).

B. Recognizes that although there are no נקודות under the words in the ספר תורה, (as it is indicated by the נקודות in חומש) they are still part of the מסורה  (Appendix #4)

C. Recognize that at times the same words can be written differently in the Torah, with or without the    (אמות הקריאה (אהוי and this is called מלא כתיב or חסר כתיב and lessons can be learnt from these variations.

D. N/A

A. Identifies that there is a unique script in the ספר תורה which is only used for סת”ם. (#10 in Appendix), and that there are sometimes unusually sized letters: אותיות רבתי וזעירי (#9 in Appendix).

B. Recognizes that although there are no נקודות under the words in the ספר תורה, (as it is indicated by the נקודות in חומש) they are still part of the מסורה  (Appendix #4)

C. Recognize that at times the same words can be written differently in the Torah, with or without the    (אמות הקריאה (אהוי and this is called מלא כתיב or חסר כתיב and lessons can be learnt from these variations.

D. N/A

A. Identifies that כתב אשורית is the unique script that is only used for סת”ם, and that there are unique features connected to the כתב in a ספר תורה that have significance.[6]

B. Recognizes that although there are no נקודות under the words in the ספר תורה, (as it is indicated by the נקודות in חומש) they are still part of the מסורה  (Appendix #4)

C. Recognize that at times the same words can be written differently in the Torah, with or without the    (אמות הקריאה (אהוי and this is called מלא כתיב or חסר כתיב and lessons can be learnt from these variations.

D. Recognizes that there are times when the a word is written one way (כתיב)but we are meant to pronounce it another way (קרי)and this is called קרי וכתיב and is part of מסורה.

A. Identifies that כתב אשורית is the unique script that is only used for סת”ם, and that there are unique features connected to the כתב in a ספר תורה that have significance.[6]

B. Recognizes that although there are no נקודות under the words in the ספר תורה, (as it is indicated by the נקודות in חומש) they are still part of the מסורה  (Appendix #4)

C. Recognize that at times the same words can be written differently in the Torah, with or without the    (אמות הקריאה (אהוי and this is called מלא כתיב or חסר כתיב and lessons can be learnt from these variations.

D. Recognizes that there are times when the a word is written one way (כתיב)but we are meant to pronounce it another way (קרי)and this is called קרי וכתיב and is part of מסורה.

A. Identifies that כתב אשורית is the unique script that is only used for סת”ם, and that there are unique features connected to the כתב in a ספר תורה that have significance.[6]

B. Recognizes that although there are no נקודות under the words in the ספר תורה, (as it is indicated by the נקודות in חומש) they are still part of the מסורה  (Appendix #4)

C. Recognize that at times the same words can be written differently in the Torah, with or without the    (אמות הקריאה (אהוי and this is called מלא כתיב or חסר כתיב and lessons can be learnt from these variations.

D. Recognizes that there are times when the a word is written one way (כתיב)but we are meant to pronounce it another way (קרי)and this is called קרי וכתיב and is part of מסורה.

A. Identifies that כתב אשורית is the unique script that is only used for סת”ם, and that there are unique features connected to the כתב in a ספר תורה that have significance.[6]

B. Recognizes that although there are no נקודות under the words in the ספר תורה, (as it is indicated by the נקודות in חומש) they are still part of the מסורה  (Appendix #4)

C. Recognize that at times the same words can be written differently in the Torah, with or without the    (אמות הקריאה (אהוי and this is called מלא כתיב or חסר כתיב and lessons can be learnt from these variations.

D. Recognizes that there are times when the a word is written one way (כתיב)but we are meant to pronounce it another way (קרי)and this is called קרי וכתיב and is part of מסורה.

A. Identifies that כתב אשורית is the unique script that is only used for סת”ם, and that there are unique features connected to the כתב in a ספר תורה that have significance.[6]

B. Recognizes that although there are no נקודות under the words in the ספר תורה, (as it is indicated by the נקודות in חומש) they are still part of the מסורה  (Appendix #4)

C. Recognize that at times the same words can be written differently in the Torah, with or without the    (אמות הקריאה (אהוי and this is called מלא כתיב or חסר כתיב and lessons can be learnt from these variations.

D. Recognizes that there are times when the a word is written one way (כתיב)but we are meant to pronounce it another way (קרי)and this is called קרי וכתיב and is part of מסורה.

A. Identifies that כתב אשורית is the unique script that is only used for סת”ם, and that there are unique features connected to the כתב in a ספר תורה that have significance.[6]

B. Recognizes that although there are no נקודות under the words in the ספר תורה, (as it is indicated by the נקודות in חומש) they are still part of the מסורה  (Appendix #4)

C. Recognize that at times the same words can be written differently in the Torah, with or without the    (אמות הקריאה (אהוי and this is called מלא כתיב or חסר כתיב and lessons can be learnt from these variations.

D. Recognizes that there are times when the a word is written one way (כתיב)but we are meant to pronounce it another way (קרי)and this is called קרי וכתיב and is part of מסורה.

[6] אותיות רבתי–זעירי, נ הפוכה, ניקוד מעל האותיות, אותיות תלויות, כתרים (See items 9, 10 and 11 in Appendix).

1.05 טעמי המקרא

A. Recognizes that although there is no punctuation in a ספר תורה, the טעמי המקרא that we see in the חומש, which indicate both the punctuation and the tune, are part of the מסורה.i(#5 in Appendix)

A. Recognizes that although there is no punctuation in a ספר תורה, the טעמי המקרא that we see in the חומש, which indicate the punctuation, pronunciation (הברה) and the tune, are part of the מסורה.i(#5 in Appendix)

1.06 חלוקה לפרשיות, פרקים

A. Knows that the תורה is divided by חז”ל into סדרותi(#1), and that the תורה is also divided into פרקיםi(#3 in Appendix).

A. Knows that the סדרות are from חז”ל but the פרקים come from when the Torah was translated and is not from Jewish sources.

B. Distinguishes between a פרשה פתוחה and פרשה סתומה and understands their function. (#2 in Appendix)

A. Knows that the סדרות are from חז”ל but the פרקים come from when the Torah was translated and is not from Jewish sources.

B. Uses the division of פרשיות פתוחות and  סתומות to divide the text into ענינים (rather than only using פרקים for topic division). (#2 in Appendix)

Text Referencing Skills

The student will be able to demonstrate the skills and knowledge to be able to navigate the חומש.

Enduring Understandings

  1. Every text has its own structure and “key” which enables us to navigate it.
  2. It is necessary to know the structure of any text in order to be able to navigate and learn it effectively.
  3. The holiness and meaning conveyed by letters relates to their shapes, functions, and numerical values.

Essential Questions

  1. How is this text structured?
  2. How does the structure of this text reflect its purpose and function?
  3. How is the א-ב different from any other alphabet?

1.07 Numerical Value of Letters [7]

A. Provides the numerical value for the letters א through כ.

B. Provides the Hebrew letter for the numbers 1 through 20.

C. N/A

A. Provides the numerical value for the letters א through כ.

B. Provides the Hebrew letter for the numbers 1 through 99.

C. N/A

A. Provides the numerical value for the letters א through תצ”ט.

B. Provides the Hebrew letter for the numbers 1 through 499.

C. N/A

A. Provides the numerical value for the letters א through תת”ר.

B. Provides the Hebrew letters for the numbers 1 through 1000.

C. Calculates the numerical value of phrases (more than one word).

1.08 The Five חומשים

A. Recites the five חומשים in their correct sequence.

B. N/A

C. N/A

A. Recites the five חומשים in their correct sequence.

B. Writes the names of the five חומשים in sequence, and with proper spelling.

C. States the main theme of חומש בראשית and can give some examples to support the theme.

A. Recites the five חומשים in the correct sequence using standard and alternate names.

B. Writes the standard and alternate names of the five חומשים in sequence and with the proper spelling.

C. States the main theme in each of the five חומשים using the alternate names as clues, and can give some examples from each חומש to support the theme

1.09 The Names of the פרשיות

A. Recites the פרשיות in ספר בראשית in the correct sequence.

B. States which פרשיות are found in ספר בראשית.

C. N/A

D. N/A

A. Recites the פרשיות in ספר בראשית and שמות in the correct sequence.

B. States which פרשיות are found in ספר בראשית and שמות.

C. N/A

D. N/A

A. Recites the פרשיות in ספר בראשית, שמות and ויקרא in the correct sequence.

B. States which פרשיות are found in ספר בראשית, שמות and ויקרא.

C. Writes the פרשיות in ספר בראשית, שמות and ויקרא in the correct sequence.

D. States the content of the פרשיות in חומש בראשית, using the names of the פרשיות as clues.

A. Recites the פרשיות in all five חומשים in the correct sequence.

B. Matches each פרשה to the חומש it belongs in.

C. Writes the פרשיות in all five חומשים in the correct sequence, and with proper spelling.

D. States the content of the פרשיות in חומש בראשית, using the names of the פרשיות as clues.

A. States the פרשיות before and after any given פרשה.

B. Matches each פרשה to the חומש it belongs in.

C. Writes the פרשיות in all five חומשים in the correct sequence, and with proper spelling.

D. States the content of the פרשיות in חומש בראשית ושמות, using knowledge of main content areas, as well as the names of the פרשיות as clues.

A. States the פרשיות before and after any given פרשה.

B. Matches each פרשה to the חומש it belongs in.

C. Writes the פרשיות in all five חומשים in the correct sequence, and with proper spelling.

D. States the content of the פרשיות in חומש בראשית ושמות, using knowledge of main content areas, as well as the names of the פרשיות as clues.

A. States the פרשיות before and after any given פרשה.

B. Matches each פרשה to the חומש it belongs in.

C. Writes the פרשיות in all five חומשים in the correct sequence, and with proper spelling.

D. States the content of the פרשיות in all five חומשים, using knowledge of main content areas, as well as the names of the פרשיות as clues.

A. States the פרשיות before and after any given פרשה.

B. Matches each פרשה to the חומש it belongs in.

C. Writes the פרשיות in all five חומשים in the correct sequence, and with proper spelling.

D. States the content of the פרשיות in all five חומשים, using knowledge of main content areas, as well as the names of the פרשיות as clues.

1.10 Navigating the Chumash

A. Identifies the beginning and the end of a: ספר, פרשה, פרק, and פסוק.

B. N/A

C. N/A

D. N/A

E. N/A

A. Identifies and locates a: ספר, פרשה, פרק, and פסוק in בראשית and שמות.

B. N/A

C. N/A

D. N/A

E. N/A

A. Identifies and locates a: ספר, פרשה, פרק, and פסוק in בראשית, שמות and ויקרא.

B. Can sequence ראשון, שני… שביעי, and locates עליות in the פרשה.

C. Locates the פרשיות פתוחות and סתומות in the פרשה.

D. Locates a רש”י with its דיבור המתחיל.

E. Locates a פסוק in אונקלוס.

A. Identifies and locates a: ספר, פרשה, פרק, and פסוק in all five חומשים.

B. Can sequence ראשון, שני… שביעי, and locates עליות in the פרשה.

C. Locates the פרשיות פתוחות and סתומות in the פרשה.

D. Locates a רש”י with its דיבור המתחיל.

E. Locates a פסוק in אונקלוס.

A. Identifies and locates a: ספר, פרשה, פרק, and פסוק in all five חומשים.

B. Can sequence ראשון, שני… שביעי, and locates עליות in the פרשה.

C. Locates the פרשיות פתוחות and סתומות in the פרשה.

D. Locates a רש”י with its דיבור המתחיל.

E. Locates a word in תרגום which has been referenced by רש”י.

A. Identifies and locates a: ספר, פרשה, פרק, and פסוק in all five חומשים.

B. Can sequence ראשון, שני… שביעי, and locates עליות in the פרשה.

C. Locates the פרשיות פתוחות and סתומות in the פרשה.

D. Locates a רש”י with its דיבור המתחיל.

E. Locates a word in תרגום which has been referenced by רש”י.

A. Identifies and locates a: ספר, פרשה, פרק, and פסוק in all five חומשים.

B. Can sequence ראשון, שני… שביעי, and locates עליות in the פרשה.

C. Locates the פרשיות פתוחות and סתומות in the פרשה.

D. Locates a רש”י with its דיבור המתחיל.

E. Locates a word in תרגום which has been referenced by רש”י.

A. Identifies and locates a: ספר, פרשה, פרק, and פסוק in all five חומשים.

B. Can sequence ראשון, שני… שביעי, and locates עליות in the פרשה.

C. Locates the פרשיות פתוחות and סתומות in the פרשה.

D. Locates a רש”י with its דיבור המתחיל.

E. Locates a word in תרגום which has been referenced by רש”י.

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