The Bible studies department at Merkaz places great emphasis on enabling each student to master the skill of expounding the classic Torah text and comprehending the related commentaries. Furthermore, events and personalities presented in the narrative receive a full analysis via interactive discussion on their relation to Jewish history, philosophy and law.

All classes are taught according to Kevutzot/group levels. This allows each student to learn the same unit of Chumash throughout the school year at her own individual pace. Every student is given precise instruction in the necessary tools of Chumash study, including verbal skills, skills of inquiry, and translation skills starting with the basic text, continuing on to the essential commentary of Rashi and advancing to the more complex commentaries.

The first of the five Chumashim, Genesis gives the girls profound insight into the fundamental concepts of man and the universe. Enlightening topics such as G-d’s creation of the world, humanity and its special role in the world and the sin committed by Adam and Eve are discussed in detail and examined for their relevance to contemporary life. The encounter between Torah and science is subject to particular emphasis as the instructors manifest the essential harmony between the two disciplines. This theme is carried through to our secular studies science program as well.

Exodus offers students the excitement of reliving the tumultuous events which led to the forging of the Jewish nation as a singular entity under Divine supervision. The panoply of topics studied include the enslavement of the Jews in Egypt, the birth of Moshe, Moshe’s divinely ordained mission, the ten plagues, the Pesach sacrifice, the Exodus, the splitting of the Reed Sea, the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, the building of the Mishkan, the way the tribes traveled and the special roles of the Cohanim and the Levites.

The third book studied at Merkaz, Numbers, provides the students with an in-depth look at several of the major topics within the book which include the building of the Menorah, the origin of Pesach Sheini, the travels in the desert, the Sotah and the Nazir, the rebellion of Korach and his followers, and the sin of the spies. Emphasis is placed on cause and effect as well as on that the struggles of our ancestors are symbolic to us and teach us how to survive spiritually, physically and emotionally in our present exile. We also teach the tremendous love of the land of Israel that Moshe exhibits in detail.

The Fourth book covered is Deuteronomy. This book is a review of the entire Torah and is called and is an excellent springboard for many discussions. Here we focus on Moshe’s life and his death. We detail his blessings, his tochacha/ rebuke, and his tremendous love and sacrifice for his people. We see the strength of prayer and how much it can accomplish even when G-d says no to our prayers. The book exemplifies to us how to behave, show love to our fellow Jew and our land, and how much we need to sacrifice to remain strong.

The book of Leviticus is not taught as part of our regular Chumash curriculum. Instead, it is incorporated into Parshat Hashavuah/ The weekly portion. Parsha focuses each week on the portion of the Torah read in the synagogue that week with an emphasis on the special Parshiyot. This covers all 5 Chumashim and allows us to discuss many topics including those in Leviticus. These include Lashon Hara, Kashrut, Cohanim, The Mishkan, and the overall idea of being a holy nation.