Marbeh Torah
Encyclopedia
Marbeh Torah is a Haredi yeshiva for English-speaking baalei teshuva
, located in Bnei Brak. It belongs to the Lithuanian stream of Orthodox Judaism
. The main beis midrash is located on the second floor of the building which also houses the Kollel Chazon Ish
on its upper floors, close to the Ponevezh yeshiva
.
The rosh yeshiva
is Rav Naftoli Elzas. Rav Elzas was born shortly after the Holocaust in the Dutch town of Borculo
. He is a graduate of the famous Ponevezh Yeshiva.
The yeshiva has 6 rabbis and over 40 students. It is a combination of a regular yeshiva of the Ponevitch type and a yeshiva for baalei teshuva. The yeshiva accepts even students who have almost no knowledge of Judaism. Nevertheless, in contrast to many baal teshuva yeshivas, the level of religious observance is significantly higher at Marbeh Torah. The students are friendly, warm and
motivated. Although mainly American
, most English-speaking countries are represented, as well as many European countries. Learning is done with original texts in Hebrew
or Aramaic
, though the lessons are given in English
. Students are introduced to Judaism using English and bilingual texts and gradually grow in their learning. Due to the small size of the yeshiva, the formal programs are flexible and students can easily switch to shiurim (lessons) which fit their level.
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...
, located in Bnei Brak. It belongs to the Lithuanian stream of Orthodox Judaism
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...
. The main beis midrash is located on the second floor of the building which also houses the Kollel Chazon Ish
Kollel Chazon Ish
Kollel Chazon Ish is an elite group of married Rabbis who study the Talmud. The Kollel is located in Bene Barak, Israel. It is located on Rashbam street.The Kollel was originally established by Rabbi Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz, who was known as the "Chazon Ish"...
on its upper floors, close to the Ponevezh yeshiva
Ponevezh yeshiva
Ponevezh Yeshiva, often pronounced Ponevitch Yeshiva, is a world renowned yeshiva located in Bnei Brak, Israel. Donated by Henry Krausher, it was originally established in the town of Panevėžys, Lithuania...
.
The rosh 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...
is Rav Naftoli Elzas. Rav Elzas was born shortly after the Holocaust in the Dutch town of Borculo
Borculo
Borculo is a former municipality and a village in the eastern Netherlands, in the Province of Gelderland.On January first 2005 the municipality Borculo merged with the municipalities of Eibergen, Neede and Ruurlo into the municipality of Berkelland....
. He is a graduate of the famous Ponevezh Yeshiva.
The yeshiva has 6 rabbis and over 40 students. It is a combination of a regular yeshiva of the Ponevitch type and a yeshiva for baalei teshuva. The yeshiva accepts even students who have almost no knowledge of Judaism. Nevertheless, in contrast to many baal teshuva yeshivas, the level of religious observance is significantly higher at Marbeh Torah. The students are friendly, warm and
motivated. Although mainly American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, most English-speaking countries are represented, as well as many European countries. Learning is done with original texts in Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
or Aramaic
Aramaic language
Aramaic is a group of languages belonging to the Afroasiatic language phylum. The name of the language is based on the name of Aram, an ancient region in central Syria. Within this family, Aramaic belongs to the Semitic family, and more specifically, is a part of the Northwest Semitic subfamily,...
, though the lessons are given in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
. Students are introduced to Judaism using English and bilingual texts and gradually grow in their learning. Due to the small size of the yeshiva, the formal programs are flexible and students can easily switch to shiurim (lessons) which fit their level.