Study Guide

This model will be based on a 12-month model.

1. Hilkhot Shabbat
Study 45 Minutes of Hilkhot Shabbat on Shabbat and review what you learned twice a week for 45 Minutes. Take notes and discuss with a study partner what you are learning. We suggest using The 39 Melochos: an Elucidation of the 39 Melochos from Concept to Practical Application by Rabbi Dovid Ribiat. You will not be able to complete this 4-volume set in 12 months, so make sure you cover the following melochos: Ofeh/Bishul, Borer, Melabain, Hotzoah, Mavir, Kotev, and Boneh. Make sure to also study the rabbinic laws. In particular, focus on Muktzeh and Amirah La'akum. Your goal should be to learn at a minimum one Melocho or Rabbinic Decree a month and to know it extremely well. Ask your sponsoring rabbi regarding which Melochos/Rabbinic decrees you should additionally focus on besides those listed above. You should also study the work The 39 Avoth Melacha by Rabbi Baruch Chait. This book will provide you with a good broad and general knowledge of Shabbat law. Be aware that Rabbi Ribiat's work is at times stringent, so there may be more lenient rulings on a given matter. Check with your Rav and/or Shemirath Shabbath by Rabbi Yehoshua Neuwirth.

2. Torah Philosophy
Study a work on Torah thought or Self- Development for 30 Minutes a day 5 times a week. Make sure you cover Rambam's 13 Principles and Rabbi Kaplan's Handbook of Jewish Thought Volumes I and II.

3. Holidays
3 Months before Pesach study The Halachos of Pesach by Rabbi Shimon Eider twice a week for 45 minutes at least. For other holidays, studyThe Book of our Heritage by Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov 30 days before the holiday, for 45 Minutes, at least twice a week.

4. General Jewish Law

Study 20 minutes a day of Halakha from the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 6 days a week. Use the Sample Test to focus your study. Cover as much of this work as you can and underline the parts most relevant to you for your review.

5. Torah
Study the Torah portion of the week in English with the commentary of your choice twice a week for 45 Minutes.

6. Hebrew Reading and Comprehension

Practice your Hebrew reading for 30 Minutes a day 5x times a week. When you are fluent in reading, you should focus on comprehension of the Siddur and Chumash.

Model Week
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Shabbat
CJL HS TT HH HR CJL HS TT HH HR CJL TT HR CJL TT HR CJL TT HR TP TP HS

Class Code and Daily Time Commitment CJL-Code of Jewish Law -20 Minutes 6x a week (Shulchan Aruch) HS- Hilkhot Shabbat- 45 Minutes 3x a week (Leis de Shabat) TT- Torah Thought - 30 Minutes 5x a week (Pensamento Judaico) HH- Holiday Halakha 45 Minutes 2x a week (Halachah sobre feriados) HR- Hebrew Reading- 25 Minutes 5x a week (Hebraico) TP- Torah Portion- 45 minutes 2x a week (Perashat) Based on this system you would not be studying for more then 2hrs a day on any day, which is compatible with working full-time. This will be more challenging if one is a parent and working full-time, so make the necessary accommodations in terms of childcare where possible. Where the non-Jewish spouse of an intermarried couple or the non-Jewish fiance of an engaged couple are converting, both the Jew/Jewess and the non- Jewish spouse/fiance are generally obligated to learn and participate fully in the conversion program. Ideally, both should study this regimen. Here it is possible for an exchange of learning where one person studies a subject and gives over to the other and vice versa. If one does this program, you will be ready to face the Bet Din with confidence.