Shiur

{{Short description|Torah lecture}} {{Italic title}} [[File:הרב יצחק שורץ במסירת שיעור כללי.jpg|thumb|right|''Shiur klali'' at Slabodka Yeshiva]] [[File:הרב חיים שלום דייטש מוסר שיעור בישיבת תורת אמת.jpg|thumb|''Gemara shiur'' at Toras Emes Yeshiva]] [[File:RoyLindmanRabbinicalSchoolJerusalem.jpg|thumb|Rabbinical ''shiur'' delivered in Jerusalem]] [[File:Bar-Ilan University. Machon synagogue (17287813145).jpg|thumb|Public ''shiur'' by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef at Bar-Ilan University, Machon synagogue]] [[File:Yeshivat Har EtzionRML4RALRP.jpg|thumb|Memorial ''shiur'' on the yarzheit of Rav Aharon Lichtenstein at Yeshivat Har Etzion]] [[File:Oria detail.jpg|thumb| 250px|right| ''Yom iyun'', Midreshet Oryah (click to enlarge)]] [[File:Ulpana sicha.jpg|thumb| ''Sicha'', ''Ulpana'' students]] [[File:Breslevcity.JPG|thumb|''Drosha'' by Rabbi Eliezer Shlomo Schick, Yavne'el Synagogue]]

A '''shi{{'}}ur''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ʃ|iː|ər}}, {{langx|he|שיעור}} {{IPA|he|ʃiˈʔuʁ|}}, {{literal translation|amount}}; {{plural form|''shi'urim''}}, {{lang|he|שיעורים}} {{IPA|he|ʃiʔuˈʁim|}}) is a lecture given any Torah-related topic of study, such as Gemara, Mishnah, ''Halakha'' (Jewish law), or Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), usually given in a yeshiva, though commonly in other Jewish communal settings.

== History == The Hebrew term שיעור ("designated amount") came to refer to a portion of Judaic text arranged for study on a particular occasion, such as a yahrzeit, the dedication of a new home, or the evening of a holiday, and then to a public reading and explanation of the same. The act of teaching and studying these texts at the designated time was known as ''shiur lernen'' ({{Langx|yi|שיעור לערנען||study of the portion}});<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wise |first=Isaac Mayer |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8pMLAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA360 |title=Reminiscences |date=1901 |publisher=L. Wise |language=en}}</ref> by synecdoche, the act itself became known as ''shiur''. These shiurim would be attended by all classes of people;<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Lilienthal |first1=Max E. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SuQLAAAAIAAJ |title=Max Lilienthal, American Rabbi: Life and Writings |last2=Philipson |first2=David |date=1915 |publisher=Bloch publishing Company |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Jacob |first=Star of |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rTAEAAAAQAAJ |title=HBQOY BKVK. The Star of Jacob, ed. by M. Margoliouth |date=1847 |language=en}}</ref> it was traditional for learned attendees to engage the lecturer in continuous discussion, and for the larger lay audience to listen intently.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-M45AQAAMAAJ |title=Hebrew Union College Monthly |date=1921 |language=en}}</ref>

Concurrently, in the yeshiva-setting it came to refer to the daily study quotient for students,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Curländer |first=David Joseph |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zPY9AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA18 |title=Skizze meines Lebens: mit reiner Wahrheit in humoristischen Style geschrieben und mit Knittelversen versehen ... |date=1846 |publisher=D. Curländer |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vi8WAAAAYAAJ |title=The Scattered Nation: Occasional Record of the Hebrew Christian Testimony to Israel |date=1898 |publisher=Hebrew Christian Testimony to Israel |language=en}}</ref> and then to the lecture given thereon. Akiva Eger, for example,<blockquote>would not miss learning a single ''shiur'' with the yeshiva. His ''shiurim'' with them were always three per day: there was a session of Talmud and Tosafot, a session of exhaustive Halakha, and a session of Shulchan Aruch and Magen Avraham, and these were aside from the session of Tur and Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De'ah he would learn with his children and some students, and with these he would learn a further ''shiur'' of exhaustive Talmud and Tosafot at night.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bleichrode |first=Abraham Moses |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Rc-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA10 |title=תולדות רבינו עקיבא איגר: זה ספר תולדות חיי ... |date=1875 |publisher=בדפוס נ. שריפטגיססער |language=he}}</ref></blockquote>

==Yeshiva learning== {{further|Yeshiva#Talmud study|Yeshiva#Jewish law}} "''Shiur''" will typically refer to the type of learning that takes place in yeshivot and kollelim, where students hear an in-depth lecture on the sugya (Gemara topic) they are studying at the time.

Typically, yeshiva students attend a ''shiur yomi'' (daily lecture) given by a maggid shiur (literally, "sayer of the shiur") and a weekly ''shiur klali'' (comprehensive lecture, which sums up the week's learning) given by the rosh yeshiva.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.haretzion.org/prospective-students/38-frequently-asked-questions |title=Frequently Asked Questions |publisher=Yeshivat Har Etzion |year=2010 |access-date=15 February 2011}}</ref> The rosh yeshiva usually also gives the senior shiur—see below—on a daily basis.

Before the shiur, a bibliography and a series of textual references, or ''mar'e mekomot'',<ref name="MaareiMekomot_1">[https://vhalacha.com/wp-content/uploads/MaareiMekomot/maseshabbos.pdf Example ''marei mekomot'' - Halacha]</ref><ref name="MaareiMekomot_2">[http://dafyomireview2.com/ravkaplan/cdd/talmud/5772-Gittin/001-2012_04_24-RavKaplan-gittin-daf2a.gif Example ''marei mekomot'' - Gemara]</ref> are posted so that students may prepare for the lecture in advance. Students typically spend several hours preparing for the ''shiur yomi''. After the shiur, students spend additional time reviewing and clarifying the lesson that they have just heard. These preparation and review periods take place in a special time period called a ''seder'', in which students study the lesson individually and/or in ''chavrutot'' (study pairs).

Shiurim may also be offered in yeshiva on topics in mussar, Chumash, and ''hashkafah'' (Jewish philosophy), depending on the yeshiva and the learning level of its students.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.derechhatalmud.org/show.asp?PID=7 |title=Frequently Asked Questions |publisher=Derech HaTalmud |year=2010 |access-date=15 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218061819/http://www.derechhatalmud.org/show.asp?PID=7 |archive-date=18 February 2013 }}</ref> The shiur is likewise the typical format for classes at women's seminaries and ''midrashot''.

===Class levels=== For Talmud-study, the level of complexity and understanding expected from students increases each year, successively incorporating additional layers of commentary and perspectives, and with the analysis compounding correspondingly; see {{slink|Yeshiva #Talmud study}}.

Thus, following on from the practice of the Telz Yeshiva, studies are typically organized by level. The term "''shiur''" is then used to differentiate different classes, so that first-year students are typically said to be in "Shiur ''Aleph''"; second-year students in "Shiur ''Bet''"; and third-year students in "Shiur ''Gimmel''", etc. Strong students may be "promoted", but it is less common for a student to be held back.

Commonly the fourth ''Shiur'' is that of the ''Rosh Yeshiva'', head of the institution. Here students consolidate the approach to study, or "''derech ha-limud''", emphasized by their yeshiva. See {{slink|Rosh yeshiva#Role}}.

In ''kollelim'' ("post-graduate" institutions), the ''shiurim'' address a yet more advanced level of study, with students learning independently, although under guidance of the ''rosh kollel''; Rabbinic ordination, ''Semicha'', programs similarly require that students have attained a high level in Talmud, this being the base for their advanced study of ''Halacha''. Typically, then, before joining a ''kollel'' or pursuing ordination, students are required to have learned in the "Rosh Yeshiva's Shiur" for at least two years.

===Related structures=== Some Orthodox yeshivot—such as Ner Yisroel and Kollel Etz Chaim—organize learning (at senior levels) in "''chaburahs''". Here, the members of the ''chaburah'' all focus on the same specific area or work of Torah study, (informally) led by the rosh-chaburah.

A more senior study group in a Yeshiva is sometimes referred to as a "''Kibbutz''", especially in older usage, preceding the use of that term for an agricultural community. The members of the ''Kibbutz'' proceed independent of a ''shiur''. See for example {{slink|Sunderland Talmudical College#The Kibbutz}} and {{slink|Yeshiva Ohel Torah-Baranovich#Style of learning}}.

==Public study sessions== Synagogue rabbis and noted rabbis also give ''shiurim'' to their communities. In ''shuls'', the shiur given between the ''Mincha'' and ''Maariv'' services is usually geared to ''baalebatim'' (laymen). Noted rabbis give more in-depth ''shiurim'' to attendees on Shabbat or weekday evenings, usually in the local synagogue or beth midrash (study hall).<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vXgNPaLIs5oC&q=what+is+a+shiur&pg=PA623 |title=The Seraph of Brisk: Rabbi Yehoshua Leib Diskin|last=Wallach |first=Shalom Meir |page=623 |publisher=Tevunah Publishers |date=January 2004 |isbn=1-58330-708-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sa06PAem-SgC&q=what+is+a+shiur&pg=PA293 |pages=293–294 |title=Mentor of Generations: Reflections on Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik |last=Eleff |first=Zev|authorlink=Zev Eleff |year=2008 |publisher=Ktav Publishing House|isbn=978-1-60280-011-3}}</ref>

(Public) ''shiurim'' range in length and depth: from a short "''vort''", or "''Dvar Torah''" ("word (of Torah)", in Yiddish and Hebrew respectively), to a detailed "''drasha''" ("study", from the Aramaic; see midrash); the former above, ''baalebatim'' focused, is a ''vort'', while the latter is a ''drosha''. Especially in Chasidic settings, a less formal—often inspirational—shiur may be termed "''sicha''" (שיחה, lit. "speech"); see also Maamor and Maamarim (Chabad).

Commonly, the ''Rosh Yeshiva'' delivers a weekly ''shiur'' on the ''parashah'' (weekly Torah portion), exploring a particular question or theme. This is usually in-depth, of an hour in duration, and typically open to the public.

Many yeshivot, midrashot, and "community ''kollels''" host ''yemei iyun'' ("days of in-depth learning"; {{singular}}: ''yom iyun''), where community members study a specific topic. These are often held before religious holidays—especially Pesach and the New Year period—preparing the spiritual and ''halakhik'' elements of the upcoming festival.

A "Memorial Shiur" is often given to the entire yeshiva / community on the ''Yahrzeit'' of a (founding) Rosh Yeshiva or Rabbi; usually exploring a specific topic of general interest.

"Shiur" may include any kind of Torah lesson&mdash;including lectures to children, women, and ''baalebatim'' (lay audience), and taped lectures circulated via cassette tape, computer, MP3 or MP4 file, or call-in telephone lines. Some kiruv organizations advertise "five-minute shiurim" to attract new listeners.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cckollel.org/five_minute_halacha_shiur.shtml |title=The Chicago Community Kollel Five-Minute Hilchos Tefillah Shiur |publisher=Chicago Community Kollel |access-date=15 February 2011}}</ref>

Similarly, "Vort" and "Dvar Torah", may refer to any short Torah idea, (often linked to that week's parsha<ref>[https://aish.com/torah-portion/beginner/1-minute-vort-on-parsha/ 1 minute vort on the parsha]</ref>) delivered on various occasions,<ref>[https://www.vortfinder.com/ vortfinder.com]</ref><ref>[https://www.shortvort.com/ shortvort.com]</ref><ref>[https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2818918/jewish/Vedibarta-Bam.htm ''Vedibarta Bam'' - topic areas]</ref> and not necessarily by a Rabbi; for example: by the host at their Shabbat table, by the leader before "''Benching''" (grace after meals), or by a guest at ''sheva brachot'', or any ''Seudat mitzvah''.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://sites.google.com/site/mattschneeweiss/howtoreviewshiur "How to Review Shiur: A Practical Guide"] *[https://shiur.com/ "Video Shiurim"]

{{Jewish life}} {{Orthodox Judaism}}

Category:Torah Category:Orthodox yeshivas Category:Hebrew words and phrases Category:Jewish education Category:Lectures