Bircas HaTorah
Encyclopedia
Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah is an orthodox
yeshiva for Talmud
professionals located in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, founded by Rabbi Shimon Green
in 1989.
The yeshiva started in the building of the original Etz Chaim Yeshiva
, located in front of the Old City's Hurva Synagogue
, with only a few students. The yeshiva originally attracted mainly professionals who did not have a strong talmudic background. Since then the Yeshiva’s student body has grown and in 2000 the Yeshiva moved to a new building on Or Hachayim street on the way to the Cardo
.
developed by Rabbi Green.
This methodology is based on a combination of the teachings found in the works “The Ways of the Gemara” by medieval Spanish scholar Rabbi Yitzchak Kanfanton, and "The Way of Understanding" and “The Book of Logic” by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto
.
Rabbi Green developed this system at the behest of Rabbi Mordechai Goldstein of Jerusalem. Rabbi Goldstein felt that there was an urgent need for a systematic approach to the teaching of Talmud, and urged Rabbi Green to invest effort into its development.
All of the yeshiva's programs are rigorous and include mandatory exams.
Many of the yeshiva's alumni have gone on to become teachers and rabbis. Some have become part of the Bircas HaTorah staff, while others have taken positions in other communities.
While the yeshiva does not have a school for women, every two months, one-week seminars for women are held.
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
yeshiva for Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
professionals located in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, founded by Rabbi Shimon Green
Shimon Green
Rabbi Shimon Yerucham Green is current Rabbi at Ohr HaTorah Congregation in Phoenix, AZ and the former Rosh Yeshiva of Bircas HaTorah in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, a Yeshiva of Talmud professionals that specializes in intensive programs for adults...
in 1989.
History
The yeshiva was founded in 1989 with two goals: To make high-level talmudic skills more widely accessible, and to allow students of all ages to study in an intensive yeshiva atmosphere.The yeshiva started in the building of the original Etz Chaim Yeshiva
Etz Chaim Yeshiva
Etz Chaim Yeshiva is an orthodox yeshiva located on Jaffa Road close to the Mahane Yehuda Market in downtown Jerusalem.-History:Etz Chaim Yeshiva was originally a Talmud Torah which was established in 1841 by the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, Shmuel Salant. For the first two years classes were held in...
, located in front of the Old City's Hurva Synagogue
Hurva Synagogue
The Hurva Synagogue, , also known as Hurvat Rabbi Yehudah he-Hasid , is a historic synagogue located in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem....
, with only a few students. The yeshiva originally attracted mainly professionals who did not have a strong talmudic background. Since then the Yeshiva’s student body has grown and in 2000 the Yeshiva moved to a new building on Or Hachayim street on the way to the Cardo
Cardo
The cardo was a north-south oriented street in Roman cities, military camps, and coloniae. The cardo, an integral component of city planning, was lined with shops and vendors, and served as a hub of economic life. The main cardo was called cardo maximus.Most Roman cities also had a Decumanus...
.
Methodology of Talmudic analysis
Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah uses a unique methodology for studying TalmudTalmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
developed by Rabbi Green.
This methodology is based on a combination of the teachings found in the works “The Ways of the Gemara” by medieval Spanish scholar Rabbi Yitzchak Kanfanton, and "The Way of Understanding" and “The Book of Logic” by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto
Moshe Chaim Luzzatto
Moshe Chaim Luzzatto , also known by the Hebrew acronym RaMCHaL , was a prominent Italian Jewish rabbi, kabbalist, and philosopher.-Padua:Born in Padua at night, he received classical Jewish and Italian educations, showing a...
.
Rabbi Green developed this system at the behest of Rabbi Mordechai Goldstein of Jerusalem. Rabbi Goldstein felt that there was an urgent need for a systematic approach to the teaching of Talmud, and urged Rabbi Green to invest effort into its development.
Programs and students
Today, Bircas HaTorah has students of all ages and backgrounds.All of the yeshiva's programs are rigorous and include mandatory exams.
Many of the yeshiva's alumni have gone on to become teachers and rabbis. Some have become part of the Bircas HaTorah staff, while others have taken positions in other communities.
While the yeshiva does not have a school for women, every two months, one-week seminars for women are held.