Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this program designed for?
It's designed for men who aspire to learn Halacha seriously and work towards Semicha, but whose current commitments don't allow them to learn full-time.Many participants are balancing work and family responsibilities, while others have more flexible schedules. What they all share is a commitment to consistent Torah learning and a desire to deepen their understanding of Halacha.The program provides the structure, guidance, and support that many people have been looking for. The program caters for a variety of learning levels - there are people with little or no yeshiva background and there are people who learned in Kollel for many years.
How is TorahMaster different from a regular weekly shiur?
The goal isn't simply to know the practical Halacha—it's to understand how the Halacha develops.We begin with the Gemara, work through the Rishonim and Shulchan Aruch, and follow the discussion until we arrive at practical Halacha. Participants gain an appreciation of the reasoning behind the psak, not just the final conclusion.That approach has been warmly endorsed by senior Rabbanim. Please see the endorsments pages.
How is the program structured?
The program runs over twelve months.Each week, participants receive carefully prepared Hebrew source sheets accompanied by clear English explanations. We then meet for a live Zoom shiur where we learn through the material together, discuss the sources, and answer questions.The program also follows the Jewish calendar, so participants study the Halachos of each Moed before it arrives. That means the learning is immediately relevant and can be put into practice right away.The result is a structured learning experience that's both accessible and enjoyable, without sacrificing the depth and rigor of serious Halacha learning.
What kind of time commitment does the program require?
The weekly live Zoom shiur lasts approximately one hour.For those able to prepare the Hebrew source sheets independently, preparation typically takes around two hours. Alternatively, reading the English source sheets carefully takes approximately 30 minutes.Overall, the weekly time commitment is between 1½ and 3 hours per week, depending on each participant's background and preferred learning approach.
Do participants receive support throughout the program?
Very much so. The weekly shiur is only one part of the program. Participants regularly email questions during the week, and if someone needs additional help, we're happy to arrange a personal Zoom session.People aren't left to work through the material on their own. The goal is to guide each participant throughout the entire learning process.
What do participants gain by the end of the year?
Completing the program and earning Semicha in Hilchos Moadim is certainly a significant achievement.But beyond the qualification itself, participants develop the confidence to navigate the sources independently and gain a much deeper appreciation of the Halachic process. Those are skills that continue to benefit their learning for years to come.
When does the Shiur take place?
On Sundays, at 2pm New York time/ 7pm UK time/ 9pm Israel time
There are short breaks during the year for Yom Tov etc.
What if a can't attend Shiur one week?
All materials and Shiur video and audio recordings are saved and available at all times in the members portal.
How are the Semicha tests taken?
The tests for each module can be taken immediately after that module has been learned and reviewed, so that the material is still fresh in mind. All tests are open book.
What if I do not wish to continue during the year? Will I still need to pay for the rest of the course?
No - as soon as you contact us, we can stop any further payments.
But Baruch Hashem, the dropout rate of the course is very low and the vast majority of people complete the course. Expect to enjoy the course and complete it!