Oholei Yosef Yitzchok Lubavitch (OYYL) recently hosted a joyous and momentous Chumash Party for its first-grade boys’ division. This milestone event marked the culmination of months of dedicated learning, during which students worked diligently to master over 100 foundational Shoroshim from Chumash Bereishis. The excitement and pride in the room were palpable as each talmid received his very first Chumash, symbolizing his entry into the world of formal Limud HaTorah with a strong and confident foundation.
At OYYL, talmidim don’t just learn to read; they learn to understand and internalize the meaning of the Torah’s words. A key component of this success is the CVS (Chumash Vocabulary System) Method, which was integrated into the school’s curriculum ten years ago. Originally developed by Rabbi Shoul Klein 40 years ago, this proven method was designed to help children acquire high-level Lashon Hakodesh skills. It has since been successfully implemented in more than 27 Yeshivos worldwide, with overwhelming results.
The CVS program ensures that talmidim acquire over 800 Shoroshim with complete automaticity within their first three years of elementary school. These core Shoroshim cover 90% of the words found in Tanach, along with all essential prefixes, suffixes, and sentence structures. This mastery equips talmidim with the skills to engage with Torah texts independently, ensuring that they do not spend excessive mental energy on word retrieval. Instead, they can focus on deepening their understanding of the Torah’s eternal messages and values.
The Three Stages of the CVS Program
The structured approach of the CVS method is broken down into three stages:
Stage 1 – Word Acquisition: Each talmid receives a box containing 800 Shoroshim and Shimushim. Each card features a Shoresh with an illustrative image to reinforce its meaning, as well as the English translation on the back. Talmidim enhance retention by drawing their own personal image next to the Shoresh, creating a strong cognitive association. They gradually build their word bank at their own pace, ensuring steady and confident progress.
Stage 2 – Word Hunting: After mastering at least 250 Shoroshim, talmidim transition to working with an actual Chumash text. They actively highlight the familiar Shoroshim and Shimushim in different colors, applying their knowledge in real-time and reinforcing word recognition within context.
Stage 3 – Independent Learning from the Sefer: With a substantial vocabulary bank, automatic word retrieval, and a clear grasp of sentence structures, talmidim now approach Chumash as confident and capable learners. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by complex text, they see familiar words and meaningful messages. This shift allows them to focus on the depth of the Torah’s teachings rather than struggling with the mechanics of decoding.
The Transformational Impact of the CVS Method
Beyond its linguistic benefits, the CVS program fosters cognitive development, confidence, and a love for Limud HaTorah. The program’s structure allows talmidim to progress at their own pace while remaining engaged and motivated. This sense of ownership over their learning experience translates into deeper enthusiasm and self-confidence.
Additionally, the method strengthens key learning skills, including:
Efficient Cognitive Processing: With automatic word recognition, talmidim allocate their cognitive energy toward understanding and analyzing the pesukim and the message behind them rather than struggling to decode words.
Improved Focus and Attention: Talmidim practice maintaining concentration in a dynamic classroom setting while others study different Shoroshim.
Independence in Learning: Each talmid determines the pace of his progress, fostering responsibility and self-regulation, as learning becomes more integrated.
Enhanced Symbolic Thought: The personal illustrations talmidim create alongside their vocabulary words reinforce deeper conceptual understanding and retention.
Rabbi Kaplan, a third-grade Rebbi at OYYL, expressed his enthusiasm for the program’s impact, stating, “The results we see from the CVS method are simply amazing. By the time our talmidim reach third grade, they have developed an incredible proficiency in learning, which empowers them to navigate Torah texts with confidence and precision. This foundation serves them for life.”
Mila Schneiderman, OYYL’s Founder and Vision Director, shared her perspective: “Watching our talmidim thrive so beautifully in their learning is truly inspiring. It is especially remarkable to witness children from non-Hebrew-speaking backgrounds comfortably reading and understanding Hebrew texts with ease. This program is not just about language acquisition—it is about giving each child the tools to connect deeply with Hashem’s Torah and develop a lifelong love for learning.”
The Chumash Party was not just a celebration of an academic milestone but a true Simchas HaTorah, a moment of Nachas Ruach for parents, Rabbeim, and the talmidim themselves. The Rebbe strongly encouraged holding celebrations at such moments to instill in children the sweetness of Torah and create positive lifelong memories of their learning experiences. As the talmidim held their new Chumashim close, they were not only embracing a Sefer, but a lifelong commitment to Torah Study, to the Messora of Klal Yisroel, and to the sacred mission of learning and living by Hashem’s holy words. This event marked the beginning of a beautiful journey—one filled with growth in Torah, Yiras Shamayim, and a deep connection to the Ribono Shel Olam. May we be zoche to see the fulfillment of “Umlo Haaretz Deah Es Hashem,” when the world will be filled with the knowledge of Hashem, with the full revelation of Moshiach speedily in our days.
best school for my boys!