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in 1982 Rabbi Nachum L. Rabinovitch was named Rosh Yeshiva.ordained at Ner Yisrael in Baltimore, Rabbi Rabinovitch also holds a Ph.D. in the History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Toronto and an MA in Mathematics from Johns Hopkins University. A prolific author, Rabbi Rabinovitch is best known for his "Yad Peshuta" commentary on the Rambam's "Mishne Torah", and "Melumdei Milchama" - a responsa volume dealing with Halachic issues facing religious soldiers serving in the IDF. His work on probability theory has been published by the University of Toronto Press, and he has contributed numerous articles of both Jewish and scientific interest to a variety of scholarly journals.
While they continue to serve as senior ramim (lecturers) at the Yeshiva, founders Rabbi Chaim Sabbato and Rabbi Yitzchak Sheilat have become two of the leading rabbis in Israel. Rabbi Sabbato, a member of an illustrious rabbinical family, is the author of several books, including "Ahavat Torah" on the weekly sedra, and has received Israel's leading literary awards, "The Sapir Prize" as well as the army's "Yitzhak Sadeh Prize" for military literature, for his book describing his experience in the Yom Kippur war, "Te'um Kavanot," "Adjustment of Sights". He also edited "Minchat Aharon", a volume of essays dealing with Bible, theology, and Jewish Law. Rabbi Sabbato is currently in his 33rd year as a maggid shiur for first-year students at the Yeshiva.
Rabbi Sheilat, a close disciple of Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook zt" l has become a world renowned scholar. He is the author of the definitive editions of "Iggrot haRambam", "Hakdamot HaRambam", and "Avot im Perush HaRambam", as well as "Zichron Teruah", "Rosh Devarcha" and "Hararim Hateluyim", an analysis of practical halachic concepts in tractate Rosh Hashana, tractate Brachot and tractate Shabbat respectively. Aside from writing, Rabbi Sheilat also gives many shiurim in the writings of Rav Kook and "Iggrot HaRambam".
The Yeshiva is guided by a dedication to the ideals of the love of the Torah, the people and the land. The faculty, virtually all of whom have served in frontline units of the Israeli Defense Force, fully embodies these values.
Educational Philosophy
The focus of the daily routine is on the in-depth study of the Talmud and its commentators. In addition, students at Birkat Moshe put almost equal emphasis on the study of "Bekiut", where the goal is to increase each individual student's command of the breadth of the Talmud. There is also a wide variety of classes available on other subjects as well,ranging from topics as varied as Tanach, Hakdamot HaRambam, Moreh Nevuchim, Kuzari, Halacha and Midrash, to name a few.
Since its inception, Birkat Moshe has emphasized the concept of communal responsibility. Students in its early years played an integral role in the development of Ma'ale Adumim, giving shiurim, tutoring, doing guard duty and planting trees. That spirit of communal involvement continues unabated. Today, a new generation of students occupies leading roles in formal and informal educational programs in the Ma'ale Adumim school system. Ma'ale Ora, an educational organization established by one of our graduates, offers basic Judaism classes in secular schools, enrichment classes in public-religious schools, summer day camps and other extra-curricular activities, thus touching the lives of thousands of local residents, religious and secularalike.
The Yeshivat Hesder Ideal
"A nation that has lost its moorings in the past and its vision of the future, can not long survive. This is precisely what distinguishes Yeshivot Hesder. They represent a genuine Torat Chaim, a Torah which flows from the eternal fountainhead of Sinai, and which inspires those who drink of its living waters to build the future of the israeli nation."
With these words, Rabbi Rabinovitch captured the essence of the Hesder ideal. Not content to focus only on their studies while leaving the Mitzvah of defending the country to others, Hesder students have carved a storied niche for themselves in the IDF. Birkat Moshe students have earned a reputation as hardworking, idealistic soldiers, with a number of our graduates progressing to officer rank.
The Yeshiva maintains close contact with students serving in the army.
''Alon Kesher'', a weekly, student-edited Torah newsletter, is distributed amongst all students on active duty. Faculty visits to students posted on the Lebanese border in the north to the Egyptian border in the south are a regular occurrence, strengthening the morale of our students during their absence from the yeshiva. |