A yeshiva is a Jewish academic institution that offers education in Judaism, including courses for those interested in becoming rabbis. Yeshivot are traditionally Orthodox and male-only, but some have mixed student bodies. Women can study at midrashot. Yeshivot exist at all levels of Jewish education. Students have long days studying Torah, Talmud, and Jewish law, and are encouraged to discuss and debate with each other. Yeshivot encourage individual responsibility and understanding of Jewish law.
A yeshiva is an academic institution that offers Jewish education. At the university level, a yeshiva is open to anyone who wishes to further their knowledge of Judaism, and yeshivot (the plural form of yeshiva) also offer courses of study for people interested in becoming rabbis. Typically, yeshivot are Orthodox Jewish institutions, traditionally open to men, although some yeshivot have mixed student bodies. Women can also choose to study at a midrasha, an equivalent institution designed for women.
Scholarship and education are very important in the Jewish tradition, and it should come as no surprise to learn that some version of a yeshiva has existed in Jewish communities for centuries, although the modern organized form really arose in the 1800s. Israel is home to a large number of yeshivot, and there are large numbers of them in the United States as well, especially in and around New York City, where there is a large Jewish community.
The term “yeshiva” comes from the Hebrew yasab, which means “to sit,” reflecting a Jewish belief that students must sit down to take lessons from a teacher or master. Yeshivot can be found at all levels of Jewish education; primary and secondary schools that offer religious education are also known as yeshivot. You might think of a college-level yeshiva as a kind of seminary, although these schools are designed specifically for the advancement of religious education, not necessarily to create ordained rabbis.
At a yeshiva, students typically have long, grueling days that incorporate study of the Torah, Talmud, and Jewish law (Halakha or Halacha). Throughout the day, students often stop for prayers, study sessions, and discussions to discuss issues raised during their studies. Each student is paired with a study partner (havrutha or havruta) or fellow students (havruthot or havrutot) to work together with, practicing with each other, discussing the meaning of the texts they study, and debating various talking points with each other. As a result, the inside of a yeshiva can get quite noisy, with a constant hum of discussions.
Yeshivot curricula encourage individual responsibility, reminding students of their obligations to the ideals of justice. Students are encouraged to delve into topics they do not fully understand, discuss issues with each other, and come to their own opinions. A thorough course of study in a yeshiva can help someone understand the intricacies and subtleties of Jewish law, even if he or she does not choose to become a rabbi.
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