Virtual Halacha Program

Orach Chaim

Orach Chaim Limud

Orach Chaim is a four-year halacha 
b’iyun track covering:

  • Shabbos (approx 2 years)
  • Brachos and Moadim (approx 2 years)
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Download/print the full Orach Chaim curriculum>

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Jump right in – no need to wait until the next cycle starts! 

The curriculum is made up of many topics (1-3 months long each). So when you sign up, you’ll join at the start of the upcoming topic.  And simply continue into our next 4-year cycle to complete YOUR 4 years and cover all the material. 


Have questions? We’re here to help.

Orach Chaim B’Iyun

Work through the sources in Gemara, uncovering the foundational sources of the halachos we practice. Then, go through rishonim, acharonim, contemporary poskim, and finally – today’s practical applications of halacha.

Here are the topics you’ll master:

  • Shabbos >
  • Brachos >
  • Moadim >

An in-depth study of Hilchos Shabbos 

Includes: 

  • The main melachos of shabbos such as Bishul, Borer, Dash, Tzad and more
  • The halachic principles of Shabbos such as psik reishei, melacha she’eina tzricha legufa, and davar she’eino miskavein. 
  • Other Shabbos topics such as Hilchos Muktzeh and Amira Le’Akum.

Topics:

  1. Shehiyah, Chazarah, and Hatmanah
  2. Bishul
  3. Borer, Losh
  4. Dash, Nolad
  5. Melabein, Tochen, Ma’abed, 
  6. Koseiv & Mochaik, Kosher & Matir, Tofer & Kore’a, Me’amer
  7. Tzad, Chovel, Gozez
  8. Muktzeh
  9. Amira Le’Akum
  10. Boneh / Ohel

Each topic is learned in-depth. 

For example, Hilchos Bishul:

  • Fully cooked vs. Ma’achal Ben Derusai (partially cooked)
  • Bishul B’chama (cooking using the sun)
  • Kli Rishon, Kli Sheini, pouring (Iruy), solid hot foods (Davar Gush)
  • Cooking after cooking (Bishul Achar Bishul) and cooking after roasting/baking (Bishul Achar Tzli/Afiya)
  • Yad soledet bo, Yad Nikhvet Bo
  • Placing Something Near the Fire
  • Hagasa (Stirring)

For example, Hilchos Bishul:

  • How I can add water to my cholent if it is going to burn
  • How do I make a cup of tea or coffee on Shabbos, and when I can add sugar
  • When can I add croutons to my soup
  • And much more

An in-depth study of Hilchos Brachos

Includes: 

  • Core foundations of berachos: beracha levatala, safek berachos, ikar ve-tafel, and precedence.
  • Laws of berachos on food and drink: bread, wine, mezonos, rice, juices, coffee, and more. 
  • Halachic principles: shinui makom, hesech hada’as, shiurim of eating and drinking.
  • Preparation for beracha: libo ro’eh es ha’ervah, kol b’isha erva, and covering.

Topics:

  1. Foundations of Berachos, Defining Bread
  2. Berachos Within a Meal and Changing Location
  3. Bracha Before and After, Practical Cases on Different Foods
  4. Principles of Hilchos Berachos

Each topic is learned in-depth. 

For example, the sugya of Pas HaBa’ah B’Kisnin:

  • What defines Pat HaBa’ah B’Kisnin.
  • The shiur of k’vius seudah and when the beracha shifts from Borei Minei Mezonos to HaMotzi.
  • The halacha of pizza, cake, mezonos rolls, and doughnuts.
  • When matzah is hamotzi and when it could be mezonos.

You will come out knowing:

  • What beracha to make on pizza, cake, and mezonos rolls.
  • When mezonos products require netilas yadayim and benching.
  • How to deal with borderline cases in practice.

An in-depth study of the halachos of Chagim

Topics:

  • Rosh Hashana
  • Yom Kippur
  • Binyan Sukkah
  • Yesivas Sukkah
  • Arba Minim
  • Chanukah
  • Purim
  • Yom Tov & Chol HaMoed

Each topic is learned in-depth. 

For example, Hilchos Chanukah:

  • Mehadrin and Mehadrin min HaMehadrin 
  • ⁠How Many Candles to Light
  • Where to Light the Candles
  • When to Light the Candles
  • How to Light the Candles
  • The Obligation of Women and Guests
  • Making Use of the Shamash
  • The Prohibition of Benefiting From the Lights.

You will come out knowing:

  • Where to place your menorah if you live in an apartment.
  • When exactly to light – shekiyah, tzeis, or later.
  • If women and children should light their own menorah.

Concurrent Orach Chaim Bekius learning

Alongside the learning b’iyun, there is also bekius learning. It covers extensive ground in practical halacha from Mishnah Berurah with 15-min daily shiurim and weekly tests, which are mandatory if you’re aiming for semicha.

Some of the topics Include:

  • Hilchos Tzitzis and Tefillin
  • Hilchos Kiras Shema and Tefillah
  • Hilchos Netillas Yadayim and Seuda
  • Hilchos Hadlakas Neiros, Kiddush and Havdalah
  • Hilchos Tisha B’Av, Fast Days and Zecher L’Churban

View or print the Orach Chaim Bekius syllabus>

How it works

When to start:

Orach Chaim is divided into many topics. So you can join anytime during the 4-year track. If you started mid-cycle, simply continue into the next cycle to complete YOUR four years.

Subscription and cost:

Start learning with a 30 days free trial. After, pay just $100/month or $1000/year. Bring a chavrusa and both get a discount. Cancel anytime.

Time commitment:

Expect to enjoy approximately an hour a day working through your weekly Mareh Mekomos, (or fit in a chunk of time on Shabbos!) Access everything from your dashboard or app (or print it out) – so you can dig in whenever.

‘Truly transformative!’

Once again, thank you for this wonderful program. The Maareh Mekomos and the Shiurim are clear. For myself and my family, it is truly transformative. The conversations at home are much more meaningful, centered around the limmud of the week. Ki hem Chayeinu V’orech Yameinu is truly coming to life. Yasher Koyach!

Daniel Z, NJ School Rebbe

Your clear path to mastering Halacha

Weekly source sheets

Weekly learning

Get your core Mareh Mekomos on Sunday, extra sources on Wednesday, and a shiur the following Sunday.

Bechinos

Chazarah

Solidify and retain your learning with built- in break-weeks for chazarah. Plus, get clear summaries following each topic. 

Support

Interactive chabura

Discuss your learning on WhatsApp with your group of fellow lomdim and ask questions to the Shoel U’meishiv.

Bechinos

Bechinos

Complete a test at the end of each micro-topic including multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions and long-answer questions.

semicha

Semicha

Semicha is available for qualifying participants who complete the four year track. Learn more about semicha here  or contact us for more details.

Get a quick feel:


See a week’s worth of VHP resources>

torah learning

Delving into halacha has never been so doable – and enjoyable

Maximize your learning time with a clear curriculum and curated resources

Learn deeply and comprehensively from the sugyas through to contemporary poskim

Stay on track as part of an interactive, virtual ‘chabura’

Know the halacha with focus on clarifying halacha l’maaseh as it applies today

Delving into halacha has never been so doable – and enjoyable

Maximize your learning time with a clear curriculum and curated resources

Learn deeply and comprehensively from the sugyas through to contemporary poskim

Stay on track as part of an interactive, virtual ‘chabura’

Know the halacha with focus on clarifying halacha l’maaseh as it applies today

Integrate meaningful halacha learning into your life.

get started today>

FIRST 30 DAYS FREE. THEN $100/MONTH.