Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia
Encyclopedia
The Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia, known as "Philly", is a Haredi
Litvish
yeshiva
. Its roshei yeshiva
("deans") are (the late) Rabbi Elya Svei
, Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky
, Rabbi Yehudah Svei and Rabbi Sholom Kaminetsky. Its campus is located in the Overbrook
section of Philadelphia.
in Lakewood, NJ. It was among the first yeshivas in the United States. The yeshiva was first headed by Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky and Rabbi Dov Schwartzman. In 1955, Rabbi Schwartzman left the yeshiva and was replaced by the late Rabbi Elya Svei
.
From 1965 until 1985 Rabbi Yisrael Mendel Kaplan
was one of the Yeshiva's senior lecturers.
area, and virtually all students live in the dormitory located in close proximity to the main buildings.
The yeshiva is well known for providing its students with a strong background in Talmudic and Rabbinical studies. Many of its graduates choose to continue to other yeshivos and higher places of Jewish learning. Historically, there has been a minority of students who continue their studies in undergraduate and graduate schools across the United States. Its graduates hold key positions in both the lay and religious leadership of contemporary Orthodox Jewry.
Haredi Judaism
Haredi or Charedi/Chareidi Judaism is the most conservative form of Orthodox Judaism, often referred to as ultra-Orthodox. A follower of Haredi Judaism is called a Haredi ....
Litvish
Lithuanian Jews
Lithuanian Jews or Litvaks are Jews with roots in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania:...
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...
. Its roshei yeshiva
Rosh yeshiva
Rosh yeshiva, , , is the title given to the dean of a Talmudical academy . It is made up of the Hebrew words rosh — meaning head, and yeshiva — a school of religious Jewish education...
("deans") are (the late) Rabbi Elya Svei
Elya Svei
Rabbi Elya Svei was the Rosh Yeshiva of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia together with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, and was internationally known for his incisive, brilliant and clear shiurim , and his ability to offer sage advice to thousands of Jews worldwide...
, Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky
Shmuel Kamenetsky
Shmuel Kamenetsky is a Haredi rabbi and co-founder and rosh yeshiva of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia. He is one of the best-known living Haredi Litvish Jewish gedolim outside Israel and the best-known son of Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky , one of America's greatest Torah...
, Rabbi Yehudah Svei and Rabbi Sholom Kaminetsky. Its campus is located in the Overbrook
Overbrook, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Overbrook is a neighborhood northwest of West Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The area contains an assortment of housing from large, old homes to row homes to 3-4 story apartment buildings.-Physical setting:...
section of Philadelphia.
History and orientation
The yeshiva was founded in 1953 at the behest of Rabbi Aaron Kotler, the Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Medrash GovohaBeth Medrash Govoha
Beth Medrash Govoha is a Haredi yeshiva located in Lakewood Township, New Jersey. It is commonly known as BMG, or Lakewood Yeshiva....
in Lakewood, NJ. It was among the first yeshivas in the United States. The yeshiva was first headed by Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky and Rabbi Dov Schwartzman. In 1955, Rabbi Schwartzman left the yeshiva and was replaced by the late Rabbi Elya Svei
Elya Svei
Rabbi Elya Svei was the Rosh Yeshiva of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia together with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, and was internationally known for his incisive, brilliant and clear shiurim , and his ability to offer sage advice to thousands of Jews worldwide...
.
From 1965 until 1985 Rabbi Yisrael Mendel Kaplan
Yisrael Mendel Kaplan
Rabbi Israel Mendel Kaplan or Yisrael Mendel Kaplan , known as "Reb Mendel" served as a teacher in the Hebrew Theological College in Chicago and in the Philadelphia Yeshiva to many of the men who were to become the leaders of Orthodox American Jewry.-Early life:Yisrael Mendel Kaplan was born in...
was one of the Yeshiva's senior lecturers.
Operation
The yeshiva consists of both a high school containing a total of about 100 students in four grade levels, and a beit midrash for the continuing education of college-aged students. Both the High School and beit midrash curriculums are weighted heavily towards Talmudic studies, although the High School provides its graduates with a fully accredited secular education. A majority of the student body hails from outside the state, mainly from the New YorkNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
area, and virtually all students live in the dormitory located in close proximity to the main buildings.
The yeshiva is well known for providing its students with a strong background in Talmudic and Rabbinical studies. Many of its graduates choose to continue to other yeshivos and higher places of Jewish learning. Historically, there has been a minority of students who continue their studies in undergraduate and graduate schools across the United States. Its graduates hold key positions in both the lay and religious leadership of contemporary Orthodox Jewry.