Mission Statement
The mission of הם חיינו is to show how the fulfillment of Torah and Mitzvos is our life.
The Concept
Heim Chayeinu’s learning program is designed to bring out a deeper understanding and appreciation - and most importantly - a fulfilment of the principle of הם חיינו ואורך ימינו. The learning of the Torah and the fulfilment of its Mitzvos is our life.
תורה learning, after in-depth and careful study, is then put into practice. מצוות performed in this way, actually become elevated into a higher level of לימוד התורה (מכתב מאליהו). This creates an ongoing cycle of לימוד התורה leading to קיום המצוות and קיום המצוות leading to לימוד התורה, encompassing both the body and soul of man, bringing him to true חיים.
The Learning
The Learning Topics
Our learning program covers one topic from each of the four sections of שולחן ערוך every few years. The topic is broken down to its main principles. Each principle is learned in depth. We start with the סוגיא and main ראשונים continue with the שולחן ערוך, relevant נושאי כלים, and פוסקים. We conclude by laying out how everything we learned should be put into practice הלכה למעשה. When we arrive at an area that is more foundational and has ramifications throughout the four sections of שולחן ערוך extra emphasis and time is spent on that area.
3. שאלות ותשובות
After several שיעורים we have a שאלות ותשובות session where the participants are given a list of questions covering the main areas which were learned as a review and further clarification of the application of the topic. The participants are also given an answer sheet prepared by the ראש החבורה. Over the course of the learning of each topic the participants compile a list of the many questions and answers of the topic in a clear concise form which can be used for later review and reference.
2. שיעורים
After the conclusion of a principle or subtopic there is a שיעור which reviews the material learned and lays out how the הלכה למעשה is developed step by step. Typically the steps laid out would be from the גמרא, to the ראשונים,iשולחן ערוך and later פוסקים, concluding with הלכה למעשה of many of the questions at hand. A written version of the שיעור is provided to assist in following along and for review, as well as for those who were unable to attend in person.
1. מראה מקומות
We begin the learning of each principle with a מראה מקומות pamphlet. A typical מראה מקומות pamphlet will cover a subtopic or principle and contain the relevant גמרות followed by the ראשונים, the טור ושולחן ערוך, and concluding with some of the later פוסקים. The learning is done in חברותא style, with the opportunity to discuss and ask questions to the ראש החבורה. Each student receives a lot of support and guidance to assist the learning of each topic.
מראה מקומות
We begin the learning of each principle with a מראה מקומות pamphlet. A typical מראה מקומות pamphlet will cover a subtopic or principle and contain the relevant גמרות followed by the ראשונים, the טור ושולחן ערוך, and concluding with some of the later פוסקים. The learning is done in חברותא style, with the opportunity to discuss and ask questions to the ראש החבורה. Each student receives a lot of support and guidance to assist the learning of each topic.
שיעורים
After the conclusion of a principle or subtopic there is a שיעור which reviews the material learned and lays out how the הלכה למעשה is developed step by step. Typically the steps laid out would be from the גמרא, to the
ראשונים,iשולחן ערוך and later פוסקים, concluding with הלכה למעשה of many of the questions at hand. A written version of the שיעור is provided to assist in following along and for review, as well as for those who were unable to attend in person.
שאלות ותשובות
After several שיעורים we have a שאלות ותשובות session where the participants are given a list of questions covering the main areas which were learned as a review and further clarification of the application of the topic. The participants are also given an answer sheet prepared by the ראש החבורה. Over the course of the learning of each topic the participants compile a list of the many questions and answers of the topic in a clear concise form which can be used for later review and reference.
The Fulfillment
The final step of course is to take what was acquired and learned and practice it whenever applicable. As explained above, putting the learning into action is itself a continuation of the learning. This brings one back to the beginning of the process once more, returning to the sources and following through the steps into מעשה.
About Heim Chayeinu
הם חיינו was founded in 2016 by Rabbi Gershon Segal. Rabbi Segal is a musmach of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel where he learned from 1995-2016. Thirteen of those years were spent studying in the yeshiva’s Kollel Avodas Levi. He received Smicha from the Yeshiva, in both Yoreh De’ah and Choshen Mishpat. During the past eight years he has been involved in teaching various shiurim for ba’alei battim in Baltimore, MD. Rabbi Segal also served as assistant to Rabbi Moshe Heinemann at Agudas Yisroel of Baltimore for two years, and assisted Rabbi Mordechai Shuchatowitz in running the Choshen Mishpat Smicha program in Kollel Avodas Levi. Since founding הם חיינו Rabbi Segal has been preparing all the material and delivering the shiurim for the organization.
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