THE NEW “BEIS MOSHIACH 770” SEMICHA INSITITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL RABBONUS AND DAYANUS, BEITAR ILLIT, ISRAEL

It’s not every year that a new semicha institute for Rabbinics and Rabbinic jurisprudence (dayanus) is established, particularly one designated for Lubavitcher Chassidim and graduates of Chabad Yeshivos. It’s especially unusual when it sets exceptionally high standards of Torah scholarship which are also accompanied by excellent material conditions, including a generous monthly stipend.
            Yet that is the good news announced by R. D’niel Goldberg of Beitar Illit, who has decided to accept this challenge. Registration started before Pesach, and has already closed for the summer semester starting in Sivan, and for the fall semester starting in Elul, although applicants can still register to be placed on the waiting list for both Sivan and Elul.
            “We intend to invest serious funding in the institute, B'ezras Hashem,” said R. D’niel in an exclusive interview to Beis Moshiach. “The new collel, b’ezras Hashem, will be an academy of Torah scholarship on a particularly high level, both for Chabad students studying for semicha (Rabbinic ordination) after their year spent at “770” in the “kvutza,” and for young married men who wish to study in depth the Torah courses required for entering the Rabbinate and serving as Rabbinic court judges (dayanim).
            “At present, such students often can’t find the right environment for serious in-depth study accompanied by lack of financial worry. We will carefully select the most serious scholarly applicants to receive high monthly financial stipends, starting from $770 and reaching as much as 36 times “yechi” (28) – a respectable, even huge, sum in Israel by any standard. On top of this, the town of Beitar, is a most pleasant place to live, making it particularly attractive for young couples. It’s situated in the Judean hills, just 15 minutes south of Yerushalayim, and 15 minutes east of Beit Shemesh. Bochurim who study assiduously will stay in comfortable dormitory accommodations, with excellent meals, besides receiving a monthly stipend of $200.”
            The study of dayanus has been strongly encouraged by the Rebbe MHM, shlita (see, for example, at length in the sicha of 10 Shvat, 5737, edited by the Rebbe). He was always very pleased when Rabbinic students successfully completed their tests for dayanus.
            Of course, as befits a school of learning associated with the Rebbe MHM, Shlita, the collel will also be involved in strengthening Yiddishkeit and disseminating the wellsprings of Chassidus, B'ezras Hashem. There are plans for Shabbatons for IDF servicemen and for college students, for spreading Yiddishkeit in settlements around Beitar, and for establishing regular study sessions in Chassidus and subjects of Moshiach and Geula.
            Another important and – as far as we are aware – unique and innovative purpose of the new collel is to train future educators for senior Yeshivos and Yeshiva high schools. “We are ready to incur considerable expense, if necessary, to bring special lecturers and expert Rabbonim to lecture at the institute on educational subjects, enabling those students who are interested to graduate with a certificate in education,” says R. D’niel. “They will be familiar with various educational methodologies and practical approaches, giving them an array of appropriate tools for dealing with all sorts of complicated situations.”
            What has inspired R. D’niel to invest so much money and energy in this project? “On several occasions, the Rebbe MHM, Shlita, has encouraged me to be involved in helping and supporting chinuch.  It has long been my dream to create a suitable environment that will encourage Torah scholarship to flourish and expand even further among the Chabad community,” he replies.
            Even before this project, R. D’niel has been active in giving grants to Chabad students studying at “770” encouraging them to devote themselves totally to intensive Torah study. He even initiated a special “Achdus Campaign” in which students from both ends of the Chabad spectrum study Chassidus in pairs (chevrusos) three times a week, for which they each receive a monthly contribution towards their expenses. Additionally, the 12 students who distinguish themselves best in their studies and diligence in keeping the Yeshiva’s official study schedule receive a respectable monthly stipend.
            “This collel we’re now establishing is an idea I’ve long been considering,” says R. D’niel, “and this year I finally decided to take up the challenge.”