BEACON OF CHASSIDIC LIGHT IN BEITAR

Beitar Illit, a growing development town near Jerusalem, has tens of thousands of residents, all of them Torah-observant Jews. They include a significant Chabad community that has a full range of schools, including pre-schools and elementary schools for boys and girls, and Mesivta (high school-level Yeshiva) for boys.

This year, a senior-level Yeshiva has been added to the list. Although Israel already has many Chabad Yeshivos, this is not just another Yeshiva. Reb D’niel Goldberg, who moved there a year and a half ago, decided that Beitar Illit, which then had only one senior-level Yeshiva, a non-Chassidic one, needed a high quality Chassidic Yeshiva. Last summer, after receiving several Brochos of the Rebbe MHM, shlita, to establish the new Yeshiva, he spent a few months assembling an outstanding faculty.

This Yeshiva aims to disseminate the wellsprings of Chabad Chassidus in the region, especially the tidings of the Rebbe MHM, shlita, about the imminent Geula. Of particular interest to students and parents is that the Yeshiva creates an atmosphere that can resolve many problems prevalent in today’s institutionalized Yeshiva system. Its approach to these educational issues, says Reb D’niel, the Yeshiva’s founder and executive director, will become the model for other Yeshivos throughout the country to emulate.

The first group of students started their studies several months ago. Right from the start, they have been inculcated with the spirit of Shlichus, a sense of mission that they are accomplishing an essential function on behalf of the Rebbe MHM, shlita, to spread Chassidus and tidings of the Geula. Any visitor entering the study hall experiences the resultant intensive atmosphere of enthusiastic study, both in Talmudic learning and in Chassidus.

Influence on the Town

Reb D’niel Goldberg explains that this Yeshiva was established in Beitar Illit, a Torah-observant town, to create a powerful environment where Chassidus and Talmudic learning are combined in a serious atmosphere, along with Hiskashrus to the Rebbe MHM, shlita. Such a senior-level Yeshiva should give the town a Chassidic impetus, not just as a Yeshiva, but as a focal point of Chassidus for the whole town.

This is accomplished in several ways. When Farbrengens are held at the Yeshiva, they are publicized around the town. As a result, they are attended by learned residents of the town eager to discover the treasures of Chabad Chassidus. Among them are even sons of distinguished Chassidic Rebbes. In addition, a special time is designated at the Yeshiva every evening for residents to come and study Chassidus with a study-partner from among the students or the members of the town’s Chabad community.

Yet the new Yeshiva is not just another place to learn Torah and Chassidus, Reb D’niel emphasizes. Its goal is become a place that attracts Jews to Chabad and to Hiskashrus to the Rebbe MHM, shlita, to participate in Chassidic activities, and to study subjects of Moshiach and Geula.

“Despite the short time since the Yeshiva has opened,” says Reb D’niel, “we are enjoying tremendous success. We know it’s not our own accomplishment at all. It’s all thanks only to the Rebbe MHM, shlita.”

Moshiach Emphasis

The name chosen for the new Yeshiva is very special: “Beis Moshiach 770.” This name is fundamental to the Yeshiva’s essence. “We aim to create a warm Chassidishe Yeshiva in the Moshiach spirit. Students of Chabad Yeshivos, Tomchei Tmimim, are called ‘soldiers of the royal house of Dovid,’ whose task is to battle against ‘those who mock the footsteps of Your Moshiach,’ as the Rebbe RaShaB said in his prophetic Sicha, and to instill Jewish and Chassidishe warmth.”

As the nucleus for the new Yeshiva, students were chosen from the Chabad Yeshiva of Tzfas. The students, of course, are the basis of the Yeshiva. But they would be the first to agree that it is the outstanding faculty that creates its special Chassidic atmosphere and intensive learning environment. The faculty includes members who are fluent in Hebrew, Yiddish, English and French, who can therefore communicate with students from all backgrounds and understand their native mindset (which can be very different to what native Israeli faculty members understand).

Rabbi Gershon M.M. Avtzon of Jerusalem gives the main Talmud lecture to the students. Rabbi Avtzon is devoted heart and soul to the Yeshiva, which he considers a vital component of the Tomchei Tmimim system during these final moments before the ultimate Geula.

Rabbi Refael Tzikvashvili, who serves as a Rabbinic authority in Yerushalayim and also as lecturer at a Kollel (graduate school) for Halachic law in Lud, is the Yeshiva’s dean. His Shiurim, accompanied by broad explanations of the subjects, greatly enrich the students’ enthusiasm for their Talmudic studies.

“We place great emphasis on success in Talmud studies,” he notes, “as the Rebbe has always demanded.” This success is illustrated by a collection of Torah insights and explanations that the students are already preparing for publication to mark 11 Nissan, the birthday of the Rebbe MHM. The Mashgiach (dean of students) for Talmudic subjects is Rabbi Michel Dubruskin.

Mashpiyim at the Yeshiva are Rabbi Mordechai Ben Yaakov and Rabbi Yaron Daniel, who serves as Mashpiya at the local Moshiach Shul, “Sifria Chassidit.” Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Ginsberg of Kfar Chabad comes to give a weekly shiur on Igeres HaTeshuva (the third section of Tanya), and also leads a monthly Farbrengen. Both of these attract many of the town’s residents.

The new Yeshiva’s approach to educational problems is unusual, especially in Israel. Reb D’niel Goldberg explains: “Our Yeshiva is small enough that every student feels at home. We want every student to feel that the Yeshiva cares for him like his own parents. A large Yeshiva is likely to be missing that home atmosphere. Only at a smaller Yeshiva with a large faculty-student ratio, can a student truly feel that Tomchei Tmimim is his natural home. Here, every student can feel part of the Yeshiva and blossom at his own pace.”

To advance this feeling, the Yeshiva has introduced an interesting innovation. Young married Torah scholars study there as an integral part of the Yeshiva. One of them, Rabbi Shimon Cohen, an outstanding scholar, remarked: “This is truly revolutionary. When students study together with mature scholars, it creates a more serious atmosphere. It’s a great help for students, who can discuss their learning with them in an atmosphere more relaxed than is possible with faculty members. Even at this early stage in the Yeshiva’s development, I see how advantageous this is not only for the students but for the married men, too.”

Disseminating Chassidus and Yiddishkeit is considered integral to Yeshiva life. But students know that it is never at the expense of the official study schedule, which is scrupulously followed.

As noted, Farbrengens at the Yeshiva are not just for its own students but are advertised in the local papers, and everyone curious to learn more about Chabad Chassidus is welcome. Many local residents also visit the Yeshiva regularly to learn Chassidus.

Every Shabbos, Bais Moshiach 770 students organize Mesibos Shabbos afternoon groups for local children. In collaboration with students of the Chabad high-school level Yeshiva, they organized Chanuka rallies for the local children. On Fridays afternoons, the students visit military units for Mivtzaim. A new monthly program is hosting various groups from out of town who come to experience the Shabbos atmosphere at Tomchei Tmimim.

Every two weeks, students are tested on the subjects they have studied. Based on the results and on their careful attendance record, they can receive monthly awards. These prizes are part of the Yeshiva’s approach of emphasizing positive encouragement for those who fulfill their obligations conscientiously. “This approach proves its efficacy above and beyond even our own expectations,” says Rabbi Tzikvashvili. “Our goal is that a student comes to feel at home in the Yeshiva’s Torah atmosphere, without any compulsion.”

Another innovation here is that there are no official weekend vacations every month or so, as at other Israeli Yeshivos (which actually close down once a month!). At Beis Moshiach 770 of Beitar Illit, groups of students take turns for visits home for Shabbos, so that the Yeshiva always stays open even for Shabbos. This has the advantage of added flexibility for the students if they need to go away for a specific Shabbos. But the main advantage is that the Yeshiva always stays open, Shabbos and weekdays, so that local residents can always come in for inspiration.

Why was the name “Beis Moshiach 770” selected for this special Yeshiva? Reb D’niel Goldberg explains: “The Yeshiva’s goal is to mold a generation of Tmimim who are ready to greet Moshiach. The education they receive here is in the spirit of Geula and Moshiach, as the Rebbe said on Simchas Torah, 5752, that Chinuch today should be based on the subject of Moshiach. The Tmimim set the tone on this subject. The education here is to instill Yiras Shomayim, to study Torah with enthusiasm, with particular interest in Moshiach and Geula. Eventually this spirit should radiate to the entire environment.”

“This Moshiach emphasis starts right after Shacharis (as also after Mincha and Maariv), when a Torah passage is studied on subjects ofMoshiach and Geula. In the evening, the students study these subjects more intensively. As a Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva, we must focus on the goal of ‘greeting Moshiach,’ as the Rebbe MHM, shlita, demands.”

Every Thursday evening, Rabbi Mordechai Ben Yaakov gives an in-depth lecture on the weekly Dvar Malchus, which attracts a large crowd. He comments: “The Mashpiya, Reb Mendel Futerfas, once explained the difference between Tomchei Tmimim today and the original Tomchei Tmimim in Lubavitch: From a certain perspective, it higher today because everything is done in a spirit of Hiskashrus and submission to the Rebbe. We are now at the end of the task the Rebbe RaShaB gave the ‘soldiers of the royal house of Dovid,’ who go out to battle. The credit goes to those who finish the job. Our role in this battle, which is a spiritual one, is to bring Moshiach. Today we see how the Tmimim conduct themselves with utter devotion to the Rebbe MHM, shlita, and this is most encouraging to witness.”

Rabbi Avtzon sees the Yeshiva as a revolutionary innovation within the Tomchei Tmimim system: “The Yeshiva was established to be a warm home for the stuidents, where they can get individual attention in their Chassidic advancement and their studies. In larger Yeshivos, that’s difficult to do. Here we aim to take care of every student as if he’s an only child, not just another number!”

Reb D’niel Goldberg emphasizes the Yeshiva’s Shlichus format, which encourages the students to welcome local residents to participate in the Yeshiva’s studies and Farbrengens. “That helps our students realize their need to become role models, which engenders a deep sense of responsibility.”

Originally, he considered starting the Yeshiva as a Semicha program, which has lately become very popular. After much discussion, however, he decided to establish a senior-level Yeshiva, and is gratified by its great success. “We’re confident that, with the energy of the Rebbe MHM, shlita, our Yeshiva will grow and become a beacon of holy light not only for Beitar but for all Yeshivos.”

Rabbi L.Y. Ginsberg, who gives a weekly Shiur at the Yeshiva, noted: “There’s a wonderful sense of personal connection here and a sense of Shlichus. We conduct special Farbrengens with the local residents, too. This is a Yeshiva that aims to disseminate the wellsprings of Chassidus. As the Rebbe says, intensive and enthusiastic study of Talmud at Tomchei Tmimim is itself integral to spreading Chassidus. The students here are utterly devoted to the Rebbe MHM, shlita, and they give Chabad an excellent reputation. The way this Yeshiva is organized is a recipe for great success. After all, the Rebbe has asked that every town have its own Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim. Surely, Beitar, too, deserves a Chabad Yeshiva of its own.”

For next school year, starting Rosh Chodesh Ellul, says Reb D’niel Goldberg, the Yeshiva plans to have all three levels of lectures customary at senior Yeshivos. Although that will expand the Yeshiva’s size, its special Shlichus flavor and warm personal touch will be retained unchanged.

For Reb D’niel, this yeshiva provides a sense of completion. Over 30 years ago, as a young American students at Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in Kfar Chabad, he imbibed the Chassidic spirit. Now he feels privileged to participate in launching a new an innovative Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva.

“We came to Beitar Illit a year and a half ago, after getting a special answer in the Igros Kodesh about moving here. The Rebbe’s letter emphasized the need to focus on education, which is why we decided to open the Yeshiva. One of the Rebbe’s personal letters to me in the past defined my role as being ‘to influence the environment.’ By establishing this Yeshiva with such an outstanding faculty, I feel I’m fulfilling the Rebbe’s directive.”

Reb D’niel notes the Yeshiva’s extraordinary investment in its high quality faculty. Most senior-level Yeshivos don’t have such a large faculty. He also notes the special emphasis on excellent material conditions for the students, which contributes greatly to enhancing the Yeshiva’s academic and religious standards and atmosphere. For example, the dormitory is probably the best of any Chabad Yeshiva in Israel. The delicious and varied menus are cooked by professional cooks, with healthy food and careful attention to any special dietary needs of individual students. “Every student here is treated like an individual,” he is proud to say.

Soon, says Reb D’niel, will be the first Yahrtzeit of his father, Reb Shlomo Zalman ben Eliyahu Halevi, on 7 Adar I. “One of the last things he told me was that complaining about problems is never constructive. Rather, he said, do something about it!”

Indeed, that is exactly what Reb D’niel is doing. “I believe the Yeshiva will inevitably expand and become the vanguard for all Chabad Yeshivos. Locally, it will enhance the reputation of Chabad and draw many Jews in Beitar closer to the light of Chassidus, thus preparing our town to greet Moshiach.”