Midrasha
Encyclopedia
A refers to an institute of Jewish studies
for women. In Israel
, it is often an Orthodox
institution that caters solely to women, and roughly the equivalent of a yeshiva
for men. The term is often translated as 'seminary
'. In the United States
, the term has also been used to refer to co-educational Jewish studies programs. In Israel
, a midrasha that offers degree studies
is sometimes called a machon (institute). Some "" accept both men and women, such as the Ein Prat Midrasha in Israel.
with the Arabic "," which also refers to a place of learning.
itself, as in men's , while more conservative tend to only incorporate selections from the Talmud in the context of classes on the Hebrew Bible
, Jewish philosophy
, Ethics (Musar)
and Jewish law instead. Most in the latter category are modeled on the Beis Yaakov teacher-training seminary established by Sarah Schenirer
.
Many Orthodox Jewish girls attend a in Israel for a year or more following high school. Some are designed for the newly observant
.
Most for English-speaking students are accredited by American colleges. Some offer second-year programs with religious-studies classes in the morning and general-studies classes in the afternoons, allowing students to pursue a religious education and a general-studies education leading to a college degree simultaneously. In Israel, several of the religious affiliated teacher training colleges also offer a religious studies program in conjunction with the B.Ed. degree.
program typically handles Jewish education
for youths before their Bar/Bat Mitzvah, students who wish to continue their Jewish education through high school enroll in a Midrasha.
Torah study
Torah study is the study by Jewish people of the Torah, Hebrew Bible, Talmud, responsa, rabbinic literature and similar works, all of which are Judaism's religious texts...
for women. In Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, it is often an Orthodox
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...
institution that caters solely to women, and roughly the equivalent of a yeshiva
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...
for men. The term is often translated as 'seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
'. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the term has also been used to refer to co-educational Jewish studies programs. In Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, a midrasha that offers degree studies
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
is sometimes called a machon (institute). Some "" accept both men and women, such as the Ein Prat Midrasha in Israel.
Etymology
The word "" is based on the term beit midrash, "house of study". It is cognateCognate
In linguistics, cognates are words that have a common etymological origin. This learned term derives from the Latin cognatus . Cognates within the same language are called doublets. Strictly speaking, loanwords from another language are usually not meant by the term, e.g...
with the Arabic "," which also refers to a place of learning.
Midrashot for women
vary in curriculum and philosophy. More liberal often place more emphasis on the study of 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....
itself, as in men's , while more conservative tend to only incorporate selections from the Talmud in the context of classes on the Hebrew Bible
Tanakh
The Tanakh is a name used in Judaism for the canon of the Hebrew Bible. The Tanakh is also known as the Masoretic Text or the Miqra. The name is an acronym formed from the initial Hebrew letters of the Masoretic Text's three traditional subdivisions: The Torah , Nevi'im and Ketuvim —hence...
, Jewish philosophy
Jewish philosophy
Jewish philosophy , includes all philosophy carried out by Jews, or, in relation to the religion of Judaism. Jewish philosophy, until modern Enlightenment and Emancipation, was pre-occupied with attempts to reconcile coherent new ideas into the tradition of Rabbinic Judaism; thus organizing...
, Ethics (Musar)
Musar literature
Musar literature is the term used for didactic Jewish ethical literature which describes virtues and vices and the path towards perfection in a methodical way.- Definition of Musar literature :...
and Jewish law instead. Most in the latter category are modeled on the Beis Yaakov teacher-training seminary established by Sarah Schenirer
Sarah Schenirer
Sarah Schenirer was a pioneer of Jewish education for girls. In 1917, she established the Beis Yaakov school network in Poland.-Biography:...
.
Many Orthodox Jewish girls attend a in Israel for a year or more following high school. Some are designed for the newly observant
Baal teshuva
Baal teshuva or ba'al teshuvah , sometimes abbreviated to BT, is a term referring to a Jew who turns to embrace Orthodox Judaism. Baal teshuva literally means, "repentant", i.e., one who has repented or "returned" to God...
.
Most for English-speaking students are accredited by American colleges. Some offer second-year programs with religious-studies classes in the morning and general-studies classes in the afternoons, allowing students to pursue a religious education and a general-studies education leading to a college degree simultaneously. In Israel, several of the religious affiliated teacher training colleges also offer a religious studies program in conjunction with the B.Ed. degree.
Coed high school Midrashot
While a Hebrew schoolHebrew school
Hebrew school can be either the Jewish equivalent of Sunday school - an educational regimen separate from secular education, focusing on topics of Jewish history and learning the Hebrew language, or a primary, secondary or college level educational institution where some or all of the classes are...
program typically handles Jewish education
Jewish education
Jewish education is the transmission of the tenets, principles and religious laws of Judaism. Due to its emphasis on Torah study, many have commented that Judaism is characterised by "lifelong learning" that extends to adults as much as it does to children.-History:The tradition of Jewish...
for youths before their Bar/Bat Mitzvah, students who wish to continue their Jewish education through high school enroll in a Midrasha.