Elul Zman 5786 Begins in The Yeshiva World

The boys are back from camp. The shofar has sounded, and so has the kol Torah, as Elul Zman 5786 begins.

A short chavrusah tumul took place in Bais Medrash Govoha, with the yeshiva learning Maseches Bava Kama, which appears to be a popular limud in other yeshivos as well.

Other yeshivos and mesivtos across Lakewood began last week, before Shabbos, while others began on Monday. Several new mosdos for both mesivta- and bais medrash-age bochurim have opened their doors for the new year, including new out-of-town mesivtos in Keyport, NJ, and Far Rockaway.

At BMG, renovations have been completed in the Forest Beis Medrash, and the new campus in Jackson has been added. Other yeshivos have also upgraded their facilities and expanded in preparation for the new zman.

Many youngeleit have moved out to out-of-town kollelim, joining existing kollelim or starting new ones, including in local and international communities such as Johannesburg, South Africa; Savannah, Georgia; Pittsburgh, PA; Columbus, OH; and more.

In Yeshiva of  Long Beach, the year begins in the Catskills at camp Morris until after labor day

In Eretz Yisroel, Ponovezh Yeshiva now counts over 2,500 talmidim. This year, the yeshiva administration constructed two new dormitory floors.

At the Brisker Kollel  in Yerushalayim the long time magid shiur Rav Simcha Maimon shlita has opened a new yeshiva, in his place 

Rav Yehoshua Soloveitchik Shlita (son of Rav Leibel) will deliver the shiurim on Kodshim.

At Brisk  yeshiva on Rechov Press, Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveitchick shlita is hopeful to resume full time delivering shiurim after recuperating from health issues before the summer. 

Mir Yeshiva  plans to expand around the Bais Yisroel neighborhood  and a massive construction project that will connect the buildings to each other. What was once an open-door policy for American bochurim has now shifted, as the hanhalah has tightened admissions with rigorous farhers, making acceptance more competitive.

Yeshiva Ateres Shlomo headed by Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin, Zman Elul opened with approximately 1,350 talmidim. The yeshiva constructed a new, spacious dormitory building with approximately 200 additional beds.

They also built a special dining hall for the kibbutz students, because of the overcrowding in the regular dining hall.

In Baltimore, Yeshiva Ner Yisroel continues to flourish with close to 1000 talmidim from Mechina through Kollel including 230 youngeleit. Some avreichim will be takibg on leadership loaitions and joining kollelim Indianapolis, Atlanta, Columbus and Passaic. The yeshiva upgraded facilities including the construction of a new gym for the talmidim. The annual budget is 14 million. 

Yeshiva mesivta Chaim  Berlin begins the zman in Brooklyn with a packed Bais Medrash 

Yeshiva Torah Vodaath in Brooklyn has an enrollment of over one thousand Talmidim. 

Night seder for baalei batim has resumed as well, with a new programs opening in the greater Lakewood  area. The hustle and bustle of the zman is back, as the quiet days of summer vacation draw to a close. Boys’ elementary schools will begin this Wednesday, while girls’ schools will start after Labor Day, on September 3rd.

Q&A

Questions posed to Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein shlita ahead of the new zman by his Talmid Rabbi Yitzchak Zicherman.

Q: When a child is sick, should the mother or the father stay home? The mother works, while the father studies in kollel.

A: The kollel should be understanding, but the family should first try to find outside help such as grandparents so the father can continue learning. The responsibility should not automatically fall on the father simply because the mother works

Q. Is it appropriate for a rosh kollel to reprimand a yungerman about maintaining  shmiras hasdorim the learning schedule, or about talking? And what about a yungerman who is sometimes late, disrupting the kollel’s schedule and causing a general weakening of standardsis it appropriate to dismiss him after he has been warned?

A: Dismissing him is out of the question. He’s not Achmad; these are Bnei Torah. How could you even think of such a thing? What needs to be done is to find out what lies behind his lateness and try to understand what is troubling him, and then try to solve the problem and help him. Above all, we need to explain to that yungerman that he has the ability to merit reaching status of a King.

Q: Should computers be allowed in kollel study halls for research? They can help find sources and answers, but may reduce the effort of studying Torah independently.

A: True Torah scholarship was developed for generations without computers. While computers can make research easier and may be helpful given the challenges of today, the ideal and authentic path is עמל התורה  the hard work and effort of studying Torah independently.

Q: Phones in Kollel Should an exception be made for an avrech whose wife is close to giving birth to bring a phone inside the B"M and wants reliable access?

A: Generally no. Only in an exceptional, very pressing situation may the rosh kollel allow a phone discreetly, on silent/vibrate.

Q: Should a rosh kollel learn with a weaker avrech Even if it takes time away from his own learning?

A: Absolutely. Sitting and learning with a struggling avrech is a great act of kindness and highly valued.

Q: An avrech who studies until 3 a.m Should lateness to kollel be excused because he was deeply immersed in learning?

A: No. Proper sleep is necessary. Staying up so late and disrupting the morning schedule is not the right approach.

Q: How much should a rosh kollel sacrifice for the kollel. Should he give up some of his own learning progress for the needs of the kollel?

A: Yes. The sacrifice for others is itself a great gain. Torah is acquired through chesed kindness.