Etz Chaim Yeshiva
Encyclopedia
Etz Chaim Yeshiva is an orthodox yeshiva
located on Jaffa Road
close to the Mahane Yehuda Market
in downtown Jerusalem.
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 various rooms throughout the Old City. In 1857 the yeshiva consolidated in to a group of buildings adjacent to the Hurva Synagogue
, sharing the premises with the Beth Din
of Jerusalem. It was at this stage that the institution was renamed “Etz Chaim Yeshiva”.
Head teachers was Rabbi Chaim Mann. His brother Yehuda Leib Mann was the secretary who also served as a teacher. They were the sons of Rabbi Yaakov Mann who was a prominent scholar who had declined the invitation of Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank
to become a dayan on the Beth Din. (He went on to build the Sha'arey Tzedek Medical Center and the Lemel school). As the yeshiva expanded a plot of land on Jaffa Road
was acquired in 1908 and subsequently a kollel
was established catering mainly for the alumni of the yeshiva. At the time Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukichinsky, who was married to the granddaughter of Rabbi Salant, served as the rosh yeshiva.
After disputes arose between the pupils and the faculty, a permanent agreement was reached by Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank who reallocated the positions of authority.
In 1925 Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer
was appointed to lead the yeshiva and Rabbi Aryeh Levin
was made the mashgiach
. After the death of Rabbi Meltzer, his son-in-law Rabbi Aharon Kotler
was appointed rosh yeshiva. In an unusual arrangement, he held this position while continuing to live in America, and visiting Jerusalem occasionally. During the periods when he resided in Israel he delivered fortnightly lectures. After his death Elazar Shach
was chosen to head the yeshiva and he also delivered fortnightly lectures. Some time later Rabbi Yisroel Yaakov Fisher
took up a position at the yeshiva. Grandson of Rabbi Aharon Kotler, Rabbi Zvulun Schwartzman has served as one of the leaders overall.
Grandson of Rabbi Salant Rabbi Nissan Tukichinsky, son of Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukichinsky, Serves as head and director of the institution. For many years he had traveled to the United States and South Africa, raise money to keep the institution.
Yeshiva
Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...
located on Jaffa Road
Jaffa Road
Jaffa Road is one of the longest and oldest streets in Jerusalem. It crosses the city from east to west, from the Old City walls to downtown Jerusalem, the western portal of Jerusalem and the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway. It is lined with shops, businesses and restaurants...
close to the Mahane Yehuda Market
Mahane Yehuda Market
Mahane Yehuda Market , often referred to as "The Shuk", is an outdoor marketplace in Jerusalem, Israel. Popular with locals and tourists alike, the market's more than 250 vendors sell fresh fruits and vegetables; baked goods; fish, meat and cheeses; nuts, seeds, and spices; wines and liquors;...
in downtown Jerusalem.
History
Talmud Torah
Talmud Torah schools were created in the Jewish world, both Ashkenazic and Sephardic, as a form of public primary school for boys of modest backgrounds, where they were given an elementary education in Hebrew, the Scriptures , and the Talmud...
which was established in 1841 by the Chief Rabbi
Chief Rabbi
Chief Rabbi is a title given in several countries to the recognized religious leader of that country's Jewish community, or to a rabbinic leader appointed by the local secular authorities...
of Jerusalem, Shmuel Salant
Shmuel Salant
Shmuel Salant served as the Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem for almost 70years. He was a renowned Talmudist and Torah scholar.-Biography:...
. For the first two years classes were held in various rooms throughout the Old City. In 1857 the yeshiva consolidated in to a group of buildings adjacent to the 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....
, sharing the premises with the Beth Din
Beth din
A beth din, bet din, beit din or beis din is a rabbinical court of Judaism. In ancient times, it was the building block of the legal system in the Biblical Land of Israel...
of Jerusalem. It was at this stage that the institution was renamed “Etz Chaim Yeshiva”.
Head teachers was Rabbi Chaim Mann. His brother Yehuda Leib Mann was the secretary who also served as a teacher. They were the sons of Rabbi Yaakov Mann who was a prominent scholar who had declined the invitation of Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank
Tzvi Pesach Frank
Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank was a renowned halachic scholar and the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem for several decades.-Biography:...
to become a dayan on the Beth Din. (He went on to build the Sha'arey Tzedek Medical Center and the Lemel school). As the yeshiva expanded a plot of land on Jaffa Road
Jaffa Road
Jaffa Road is one of the longest and oldest streets in Jerusalem. It crosses the city from east to west, from the Old City walls to downtown Jerusalem, the western portal of Jerusalem and the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway. It is lined with shops, businesses and restaurants...
was acquired in 1908 and subsequently a kollel
Kollel
A kollel is an institute for full-time, advanced study of the Talmud and rabbinic literature. Like a yeshiva, a kollel features shiurim and learning sedarim ; unlike a yeshiva, the student body of a kollel are all married men...
was established catering mainly for the alumni of the yeshiva. At the time Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukichinsky, who was married to the granddaughter of Rabbi Salant, served as the rosh yeshiva.
After disputes arose between the pupils and the faculty, a permanent agreement was reached by Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank who reallocated the positions of authority.
In 1925 Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer
Isser Zalman Meltzer
Isser Zalman Meltzer, , was a famous Lithuanian Orthodox rabbi, rosh yeshiva and posek. He is also known as the "Even HaEzel" - the title of his commentary on Rambam's Mishne Torah....
was appointed to lead the yeshiva and Rabbi Aryeh Levin
Aryeh Levin
Rabbi Aryeh Levin, , known as Reb Aryeh, was an Orthodox rabbi dubbed the "Father of Prisoners" for his visits to members of the Jewish underground imprisoned in the Central Prison of Jerusalem in the Russian Compound during the British Mandate...
was made the mashgiach
Mashgiach ruchani
Mashgiach ruchani or mashgiach for short, means a spiritual supervisor or guide. It is a title which usually refers to a rabbi who has an official position within a yeshiva and is responsible for the non-academic areas of yeshiva students' lives.The position of mashgiach ruchani arose with the...
. After the death of Rabbi Meltzer, his son-in-law Rabbi Aharon Kotler
Aharon Kotler
Aharon Kotler was an Orthodox Jewish rabbi and a prominent leader of Orthodox Judaism in Lithuania, and later the United States, where he built Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood Township, New Jersey.- Early life :...
was appointed rosh yeshiva. In an unusual arrangement, he held this position while continuing to live in America, and visiting Jerusalem occasionally. During the periods when he resided in Israel he delivered fortnightly lectures. After his death Elazar Shach
Elazar Shach
Elazar Menachem Man Shach also spelt Eliezer Schach, was a leading Lithuanian-born and educated Haredi rabbi in Bnei Brak, Israel. He also served as one of three co-deans of the Ponevezh yeshiva in Bnei Brak along with Rabbis Shmuel Rozovsky and Dovid Povarsky...
was chosen to head the yeshiva and he also delivered fortnightly lectures. Some time later Rabbi Yisroel Yaakov Fisher
Yisroel Yaakov Fisher
Yisroel Yaakov Fisher, , was a leading posek, Av Beit Din of the Edah HaChareidis and rabbi of the Zichron Moshe neighbourhood in Jerusalem....
took up a position at the yeshiva. Grandson of Rabbi Aharon Kotler, Rabbi Zvulun Schwartzman has served as one of the leaders overall.
Grandson of Rabbi Salant Rabbi Nissan Tukichinsky, son of Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tukichinsky, Serves as head and director of the institution. For many years he had traveled to the United States and South Africa, raise money to keep the institution.