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37-583: The yeshiva was founded in 1897 by Rabbi Yaakov Dovid Willovsky, known as the Ridvaz , who was the rabbi of Slutsk , in an effort to combat the influence of the maskilim in his town. He asked Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel (the Alter of Slabodka), who was the rosh yeshiva of the Slabodka Yeshiva , to send him students to start off the yeshiva. The Alter immediately selected fourteen of his top students to go to Slutsk. Among

74-418: A morning session, an afternoon session, and an evening session, in which a total of 10 hours of each day is spent studying. For each session there is a limud (subject) which is a chapter of the mesechta that that group is learning. The morning session is the most important of the sessions and is the subject that students will devote their after-hours time to and are most likely to write papers on; it

111-535: A veteran, each pursuing its own specific curriculum with an emphasis on individual learning. Beth Medrash Govoha is a successor institution to Yeshivas Etz Chaim , which was located in Slutzk , in what is today Belarus . That institution was led by Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer and by Rabbi Aaron Kotler, until it was forcibly closed by the Soviet Revolution of 1917, which banned all forms of Jewish studies. Etz Chaim

148-409: A weekly discourse on the topic that was studied that week. Many of the chaburos require members themselves to prepare and give discourses of their own on a rotating basis. Other responsibilities of the rosh chaburah include submitting the number of seats needed for the members of his chaburah , and to decide the topic of study for the semester. Three zmanim (semesters) exist in

185-556: A year, based on the Hebrew calendar : The three zmanim span two official semesters. The Fall semester runs through the Winter zman. The Spring semester includes the Summer zman and Elul zman. Applications to enroll into the yeshiva are accepted twice a year, before the summer and winter semesters. There are no enrollments for the fall semester. The deadlines vary, and they are generally close to

222-466: Is a postgraduate institution and the general age of entry for new students is about 22. A high level of analytic skill and comprehension in understanding the Talmud is required, to the extent that a student is able to study a subject from the starting point all the way to the most complex areas of that subject on his own. The yeshiva does not have a remedial program for weak or unprepared students, and reaching

259-410: Is also the subject of the lectures. All learning is done within a system of chaburos (study groups) in which 15 to 200 scholars are seated together to study the same subject at the same pace with their individual chavrusa (study partner). Every chaburah is headed by a rosh chaburah (head/leader of the study group). The rosh chaburah is typically somebody that is more advanced than

296-631: Is authorized to grant bachelor's and master's degrees in Talmudics , as well as two post-master's diplomas in Talmudics. What students seek in Beth Medrash Govoha is to at first attain the skills necessary to properly understand and analyze the Talmud and to be able to do independent research on a scholarly level, and then use these skills to become accomplished Talmudic scholars. Beth Medrash Govoha

333-515: Is negotiated. The stated policy of the yeshiva is that no eligible student is denied the opportunity to study Torah because of their inability to pay tuition. The accepted student must also complete steps required by the State of New Jersey of all students entering dormitories and post-secondary schools in New Jersey. Additionally, in a signed acceptance agreement, the matriculating student agrees to abide by

370-605: The Russian Revolution in 1917, all religious institutions were banned and Rabbi Meltzer was arrested many times, leaving Rabbi Kotler as rosh yeshiva once again. Nevertheless, the yeshiva remained in Slutsk for four more years, under Communist rule. Rabbi Kotler then convinced Rabbi Meltzer that the yeshiva should escape to the Polish city of Kletsk , where religion was legal. In 1921, Rabbi Kotler and 50 students managed to cross over

407-479: The Talmud regardless of whether they just joined the yeshiva or have already been studying for well over a decade, when students first arrive they study the mesechta (Talmudic tractate) that the yeshiva has officially selected to study at that time. This mesechta will always be one of eight that deal with areas of civil law. Some students will continue learning these subjects for many years, developing great expertise in these areas, while others will study other areas of

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444-635: The Talmud . Some students focus primarily on the practical application of the talmudic laws based on the Halachic conclusions of the Shulchan Aruch . Because of the large number of students in the Yeshiva there are groups studying virtually every subject in the Talmud . Beth Medrash Govoha is unique among Yeshivas in that a student can study any subject in the Talmud or Halachah that he prefers. The daily schedule consists of three sedarim (study sessions) –

481-513: The Vilna Gaon had annotated. After studying the Talmud Yerushalmi for thirty years and working steadily on his commentaries for seventeen years, Wilovsky began the publication of an edition of the Talmud Yerushalmi which included, besides his own, all the commentaries incorporated in former editions. Since the subscription fund for his publication was exhausted before the fourth order Nezikin

518-611: The "sale permit" known as the Heter mechira . Ridvaz's most notable works were two commentaries on the Talmud Yerushalmi: Ridvaz's other works include: Beth Medrash Govoha Beth Medrash Govoha ( Hebrew : בית מדרש גבוה , pronounced : Beis Medrash Gavo'ha . lit: "High House of Learning"; also known as Lakewood Yeshiva or BMG ) is a Haredi Jewish Lithuanian yeshiva in Lakewood Township, New Jersey . It

555-456: The 1st of Elul for the winter enrollment, and the 1st of Adar for summer enrollment. This is generally a four-part process. Only applicants who have received a " bechina (entrance exam) card" authorizing them to advance will be able to proceed with these steps: Shivti , the yarchei kallah program, is a highly acclaimed weekly Sunday program for laymen. The shivti was created by Rav Yaakov Tescher. After acceptance, tuition

592-525: The Russian-Polish border for Kletsk; (Rabbi Meltzer remained in Slutsk, for he felt he couldn't abandon the Jewish community there, as he served as community rabbi as well). The yeshiva settled in a communal property, which they soon outgrew. Rabbi Kotler therefore raised funds for the construction of a new building. The cornerstone was laid in 1927, and despite not having enough money to build the entire building,

629-586: The United States, lecturing and preaching. On returning to New York , he endeavored to establish a yeshiva based on the European model, but found little encouragement. In 1905, Ridvaz left America and moved to Safed , where he established a yeshiva, Toras Eretz Yisrael . In 1909, he entered into controversy with Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook over the proper observance of the Shemittah year , and, in particular, use of

666-513: The Vilna position distracted him from his studies, he resigned, and chose to serve as rabbi in a smaller community such as Polotsk (1883) and Vilkomir (1887). In 1890, he became chief rabbi of Slutsk , where he established a noted yeshiva in 1896. He took general supervision, appointing Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer as principal. Wilovsky freely used a copy of the Talmud Yerushalmi which

703-405: The construction continued and the yeshiva agreed to accumulate a large debt. In 1929, the building was completed and a festive chanukas habayis (building dedication) was held. Rabbi Meltzer, who had since moved to Palestine , came back to Europe for the celebration. The festivity was enormous, with participants filling the surrounding streets of the new yeshiva building. Many donated generously and

740-533: The country. He gained the critical support of Rabbi Bernard L. Levinthal during the August 1903 meeting in Philadelphia. He tried to introduce order into the religious services of his congregations, but met obstruction and opposition on the part of a former rabbi and his followers. Unable to withstand the persistent opposition, Ridvaz resigned his position ten months later. Thereafter, he traveled extensively throughout

777-442: The debt was soon paid up. At the outbreak of World War II, the yeshiva numbered two hundred sixty students. With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Kletsk fell under Soviet rule, and the yeshiva once again faced the threat of an anti-religious communist government. Yet, as they did in Slutsk, the yeshiva remained opened with a complete learning schedule, although many students left for home. However, Rabbi Kotler realized his life

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814-644: The entire yeshiva). Rabbi Kotler escaped Europe in 1941 and soon settled in the United States where he became the rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha . Ridvaz Rabbi Yaakov Dovid Wilovsky (February 7, 1845 – October 2, 1913), known by the acronym Ridvaz or Ridbaz , was a renowned rabbi, Talmudic commentator and educator. Wilovsky was born in Kobrin , Russia on February 7, 1845. Wilovsky held Rabbinic posts in Izabelin  [ Wikidata ] (1874), Bobruisk (1876), and Vilna (1881). Finding that

851-445: The first ever day for new students, the atmosphere can seem tumultuous, with much milling about, good spirit and cheer, hence that day has become known as "Tumult day," during which little study takes place and instead much socializing along with the more serious work of choosing both study group and study partner. Rabbi Aharon Kotler served as the academic and spiritual leader of the institution, from 1943 until his passing in 1962. He

888-399: The group were Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer , who would become the rosh yeshiva; Rabbi Pesach Pruskin ; Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Finkel ; Rabbi Reuven Katz ; Rabbi Alter HaLevi Shmuelevitz; Rabbi Yosef Konvitz; Rabbi Moshe Yom Tov Wachtfogel; Rabbi Shlomo Yehudah Leib Plutznick; and Rabbi Yitzchak Rubinstein. Over the next five years, the yeshiva grew to become one of the most respected yeshivos in

925-463: The level required to be a successful student at the yeshiva takes several years of intense, full-time study. As such, in general, only students who have already studied in an undergraduate level yeshiva geared for students aged 18–22, will be accepted. The yeshiva studies are based on classical Torah study traditions using the Talmud , Rishonim , Shulchan Aruch , Responsa , and Rabbinic literature as texts and sources. Although all students study

962-464: The members of the chaburah and his primary function is to assist the chabura in their studies. Additionally some roshai chaburah assist in pairing the members of their chaburah with an appropriate chavrusah (study partner). Most roshei chaburah will study the material on their own time so that they are proficient and thoroughly knowledgeable on the subject. Some roshai chaburah (plural of rosh hachaburah ) also give

999-462: The message. Two nights later, the yeshiva's one hundred and fifty remaining students escaped to Baranovich . From there they traveled by train to Vilnius, where they were reunited with their rosh yeshiva. They then reopened the yeshiva in the village of Jonava on the outskirts of Kaunas. In 1940, the Soviets annexed Lithuania, and afraid, the yeshiva divided into three groups (to make it harder to destroy

1036-411: The rules of the institution. By long-standing institutional tradition, each semester begins with the majority of students exploring the many study groups (called "Chaburos") available in each field of study and choosing the one that they find of greatest interest. They then pair up with a study partner, who will join them in their study group. As the first days back on campus for returning students, and

1073-511: The world. In 1903, with the departure of the Ridvaz from Slutsk, Rabbi Meltzer was appointed rabbi of the city as well. In 1914, Rabbi Meltzer's daughter, Chanah Perel, married Aharon Kotler , a student of the Alter of Slabodka . Following the wedding, Rabbi Kotler joined Rabbi Meltzer in Slutsk, where he became rebbi (teacher of Torah ) of the yeshiva's advanced students. He soon became more involved in

1110-445: The yeshiva and community, assisting his father-in-law in every aspect. Later that year, World War I broke out, and the yeshiva fell into dire straits financially. Rabbi Meltzer was forced to avert much of focus from teaching to fundraising, leaving Rabbi Kotler as sole rosh yeshiva. The war itself reached Slutsk with bombs blowing up in the streets, yet the yeshiva continued, with Rabbi Kotler giving hours-long shiurim (classes). With

1147-531: Was completed in the summer of 2015, on the land where Bais Eliyahu (the "trailers") used to be. It was first used on Rosh Hashanah 5776, seating over one thousand people for the services. The building was sponsored by Ralph Herzka and Meir Levine. The yeshiva is licensed by the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education and accredited by the Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools . It

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1184-704: Was completed, Wilovsky travelled to the United States in 1900, where he succeeded in securing subscriptions for many sets of the work. Returning to Russia, he dedicated the Nezikin order to his American patrons. From 1903 to 1905, Wilovsky returned to the United States. This time, he dropped his former name of Willowsky/Willovsky and assumed the name "Ridvaz" ( R abbi Y aakov D avid b en Z e'ev"). The United Orthodox Rabbis of America , at their annual meeting in Philadelphia in August 1903, elected Ridvaz as their zekan haRabbanim (elder rabbi), and on September 8, 1903, Ridvaz

1221-595: Was elected chief rabbi of the Russian-American congregations in Chicago . He was critical of the absence of moral education received by traditional Jews in America's public schools and the emphasis on sports. He advocated for the creation of full time Jewish day schools that would integrate religious studies with English language and literature and American history. At the time there were no full time Jewish parochial schools in

1258-535: Was founded by Rabbi Aharon Kotler in 1943 and is the second-largest yeshiva in the world, after Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem . As of 2019, it had 6,715 students, 2,748 regular and 3,967 in Kollel status. The principal Rosh yeshiva since 1982 is Rabbi Malkiel Kotler . Talmud and halakha studies in the institution are carried in the form of over 200 small groups, Chaburos , which consist of several students mentored by

1295-428: Was in danger, not solely for running a religious institution, but because of his illegal escape from Russia nineteen years prior, and he therefore escaped to independent Lithuania with plans to only stay there temporarily before escaping the region for good. In Vilnius , Rabbi Kotler met Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzensky , who said that the entire yeshiva should leave Poland and come to Lithuania. Rabbi Kotler sent his students

1332-566: Was reestablished in Kletzk, under then Polish rule by Rabbi Aaron Kotler, where it thrived until World War II and the destruction of much of European Jewry. Rabbi Kotler escaped the Nazis in 1941 and came to the United States where he opened BMG in 1943. BMG's four campuses are located on 35 acres (0.14 km ) in Lakewood, with numerous academic facilities, libraries and residence halls. The newest building

1369-447: Was succeeded by Rabbi Shneur Kotler , then 44 years old, who died in 1982. Today, Rabbi Malkiel Kotler , Rabbi Shneur's son, and Rabbis Yerucham Olshin , Dovid Schustal , and Yisroel Neuman , serve in that role. Rabbi Aaron Kotler, a grandson of Rabbi Aharon Kotler, was President and CEO of the institution until he retired towards the end of 2021. Rabbi Nosson Meir Wachtfogel served as dean of students ( mashgiach ruchani ) from

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