Yeshiva Toras Moshe

Toras Moshe
Hebrew: תורת משה‎
Address
27 Ma'aglei Harim Levine St.[1]
Sanhedria Murchevet
Jerusalem
Israel
Information
Established 1982
Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Moshe Meiselman
Mashgiach Rabbi Elchonon Meir Fishman
Affiliation Orthodox

Yeshiva Toras Moshe (abbreviation: ToMo) is an English-speaking Litvish Haredi yeshiva in Jerusalem, Israel. Founded in 1982, it was one of the first yeshivas established in Israel to cater to post-high school students from English-speaking countries.[2] It has since graduated over 1,000 students.[3]

History

The yeshiva was founded in 1982 by Rabbi Moshe Meiselman, a grandson of Rabbi Moshe Soloveitchik and nephew and student of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, together with Rabbi Doniel Lehrfeld, now Rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Bais Yisroel. Rabbi Meiselman named the yeshiva after his grandfather[2][4] Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik (1879–1941). The yeshiva was first housed in Machon Harry Fischel in the Bucharian neighborhood of Jerusalem.

In the early 1990s the Yeshiva moved to the center of Jerusalem in a building founded by the Dean of Yeshivas Novhardok, Rabbi Ben-Zion Brook. In 2009 the yeshiva moved to its own, permanent home in the Sanhedria Murchevet neighborhood. The new three-story building includes a beis medrash, dining hall, dormitories,[4] and basketball court.[5]

Staff

The senior faculty also include another student of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik: Rabbi Michel Shurkin, as well as Rabbi Yehuda Abramowitz, a student of Rabbi Nachum Persovich, and Rabbi Zev Klein.

One of the senior faculty and secondary Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Moshe Twersky, was murdered along with four others in a terrorist attack on the morning of 18 November 2014 while praying in the Kehilat Yaakov synagogue in Har Nof, in the 2014 Jerusalem synagogue massacre.[6]

Studies

Students

All the students are English-speaking. The vast majority come from all parts of Canada and the United States.[1] A minority of students come from other countries such as South Africa and England.

In keeping with the yeshiva's philosophy of building personal connections between staff and students, many alumni remain connected to the yeshiva after graduation. Some yeshiva lecturers send copies of their shiurim (Torah lectures) to current and former students, while the yeshiva hosts regular reunions and fund-raising gatherings.[3] In 2009 the yeshiva took both current and former students on a trip to the former Torah centers of Brisk and Volozhin to mark the 80th anniversary of the arrival of Rabbi Moshe Soloveitchik in America.[4]

Curriculum

The academic philosophy is founded on the classic concept of Torah Lishmah and is centered on mastery of the Talmud. There are many different classes for a student to choose from in the yeshiva. The yeshiva is split into two tracks for three years worth of courses, though many stay longer. In addition to having the ability to learn Torah in the yeshiva, after three years the students can apply for a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree. Toras Moshe also offers a graduate program designed for students who have finished many years of Talmudic study and are preparing for a career in Judaic and/or legal studies.

The schedule is standard for a traditional orthodox yeshiva. The students study for several hours daily, which includes Talmud, Mussar, and Halacha. In addition to this, most students learn an extended amount of time on their own or with study partners (chavrusas) beyond the required amounts. Several times a week the students hear a lecture, or vaad, from the mashgiach in Mussar or a lecture in Halacha from either Rabbi Sinowitz, Rabbi Raymon, or Rabbi Weiner.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Yeshivas Toras Moshe: Organization Directory Page". CCR Online Directory. 4 June 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Rav Meiselman: Yo’atzot to Poskot, Maharat and Rabbah is a 'Natural Progression'". matzav.com. 4 November 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Yeshivas Torah Moshe 28th Anniversary Dinner, November 7". Five Towns Jewish News. 4 November 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Bernstein, David (15 November 2009). "Tonight: Yeshivas Toras Moshe to Celebrate Legacy and New Building at Annual Dinner". matzav.com. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  5. ↑ "Barbecue Honors Yeshivas Toras Moshe". The Jewish Press. 11 August 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  6. ↑ Ettinger, Yair (November 18, 2014). "Moshe Twersky, head of English-language Yeshiva Toras Moshe, murdered in terror attack". Ha'aretz. Retrieved November 18, 2014.

External links