For students seeking a deeper intellectual engagement with their college courses and the Beis Medrash L’Talmud.

The Honors Program asks students to cultivate sophisticated analytic, research, and writing skills in both academics and in limudei kodesh, while broadening their understanding of halakha and shas.

The benefit of these achievements in limudei kodesh is self-evident. As for academics, students are better prepared for the rigors of graduate and professional education at the highest levels, and it shows on their transcripts and applications.

Torah Learning

The enriched Torah learning component of the Honors Program requires students to learn 45 blatt of bekius over the course of the year in the mesechta studied during morning seder, with regular examinations. Bekius study typically takes place during night seder, which is required for all Beis Medrash L’Talmud students.

Honors students must also participate in a weekly shiur in halakha, with regular examinations. They must write one chabura per semester in Hebrew and deliver each chabura orally to fellow Honors Core students for discussion and critique. 

Integration

Honors Program students are required to complete “Ethics and Professions,” a specially designed integrative course that examines how Torah learning impacts and influences the academic and professional experiences. Students explore theory, Jewish ethics, and halakha to address the ethical issues raised by a range of professions, including medicine, law, business, and psychology.

At the end of the course, students submit their own research paper about an ethical issue related to their intended profession. This course satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement that all students must take at least one course in the liberal arts and sciences outside of their major.

Admission

Admission to the Honors Program is highly selective, and admitted students receive a minimum of $10,000 per annum scholarship, which currently covers over 2/3rds the cost of tuition.