Hilchos Shabbos
Learn and master Hilchos Shabbos, from the original sources down to their modern-day application!
Upcoming Course Start Dates:
– 19 April 2026 (2 Iyar 5786)
Course Info
What is this course all about?
Gain a proficiency and confidence when it comes to Hilchos Shabbos, and be equipped to deal with contemporary questions that arise. The Hilchos Shabbos course is a deep and comprehensive dive into the primary areas of Hilchos Shabbos. Every topic is explored from the original sources in the Mishnah, Gemara, and Rishonim, and brought all the way down to the contemporary Poskim and Minhagim.
Who is it for?
Thanks to Machon Smicha’s Translated and Explained Shulchan Aruch, this course can bring almost anyone up to speed, while still offering a high level of learning that will benefit seasoned students too.
How long is the course? And how much time do I need to dedicate to this?
12 months. Generally, participants put in about 6 hours a week of learning. However, the schedule is flexible, and one may go slower, or faster.
How much does it cost?
The Shabbos progrm is $200 a month for 12 months. There is also a 20% discount for paying upfront, which is $1,920.
Course Offer
Machon Smicha offers each student a complete curriculum, consisting of:
- Online portal with access to all the program content
- Flexible schedule.
- Shiurim.
- English Study Guide, containing introductions, overviews, translations, and in-depth summaries of every halachah.
- Access to forums and teachers for questions, discussions, etc.
- Rabbi and teachers available to answer questions and aid in the learning
- Quizzes, review material, and mock tests.
- Tests with prominent rabbis.
- Smicha certificate for those who successfully complete the program.
Course Curriculum
In addition to the core, in-depth topics covered by the course, as shown below, the course will also cover many of the other areas and melachos of Hilchos Shabbos, with a focus on their practical application.
1. Hilchos Borer
(The Laws of Separating)
The definition of the forbidden melachah of borer, under which circumstances borer is permitted, and the practical application of modern day items as they relate to borer
2. Hilchos Muktzeh
(The Laws of Set Aside Items)
Understanding what muktzeh is, the different categories of muktzeh, when and which muktzeh items may be moved, and practical cases of muktzeh
3. Hilchos Bishul
(The Laws of Cooking)
The issur of cooking/baking on shabbos, how food must be prepared from before Shabbos, dealing with cooking food on Shabbos, leaving food on Friday to cook into Shabbos, returning food to the heat source on Shabbos, and insulating food on and before Shabbos.
4. Hilchos Amirah L'nachri
(The Laws of Instructing a Non-Jew)
The scope of the prohibition against instructing a Non-Jew to perform a forbidden melachah on Shabos, in which cases there is room for leniency, and other related dinim.
5. Hilchos Refuah
(The Laws of Healing)
Covers medical situations on Shabbos, starting with the general parameters for treating illness (שכח), to identifying circumstances warranting Shabbos violation to save a life (Pikuach Nefesh) (שכט), followed by specifics for childbirth (של), and finally outlining the unique rules for carrying out a bris milah on Shabbos (שלא).
