KBY.org: History

KBY History

The illustrious history of Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh began in the 1930s, before the establishment of the State of Israel. It was then that the idea was conceived to rebuild the ancient Talmudic academy, founded by Rav Yochanan Ben Zakai two millennia ago. Chief Rabbi Rav Avraham Yitzchak Hacohen Kook supported the plan, and preferred to implement it in Jerusalem. The opinion of Rav Meir Berlin prevailed, however, and the approximate site of the ancient Kerem B'Yavneh, its exact location unclear, was selected. In 1941, an agreement was reached between the Jewish National Fund and the Mizrachi/Hapoel Mizrachi movements, allocating five hundred dunams in the area for the Yeshiva.

By the outbreak of the War of Independence in 1948, the shell of the main building had been completed. Since it was the tallest structure in the area, and offered a commanding view of the coastal plain, it was used as a forward post by Yigal Alon, who was the commander of Israel's southern front. Founding Rosh Hayeshiva Harav Chayim Yaakov Goldvicht, zt"l, a Talmid of both the Brisker Rav and the Chazon Ish, opened Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh in 1954 (5714). His first class was made up of twelve graduates of the prototype of B'nei Akiva High Schools. These dedicated students, imbued with a love for Torah, the people, and the Land of Israel, soon faced a dilemma. As they approached draft age, they felt a dual obligation: to continue learning and to do their part in the active defense of the country. This problem would be solved by the implementation of the "Hesder" program.

In the Israel Defense Force, there existed a special branch called Nachal, where kibbutz youngsters would enlist in the army together as a group [Garin], and split their time between kibbutz and army services. This concept was the basis for Hesder, or "arrangement." While the Nachal Garinim worked the fields on their kibbutzim, the Talmidim of Kerem B'Yavneh learned Torah in their Yeshiva. Since that modest beginning, thousands of young men have gone through Kerem B'Yavneh's Hesder program. Following the Six Day War, when the brave service of Kerem B'Yavneh's soldiers elicited praise, Hesder Yeshivot modeled after Kerem B'Yavneh were established all over Israel. Four were created in the year following the Six Day War, and today there are a total of twenty-eight.

The demanding five-year Hesder program has earned the appreciation and gratitude of all segments of Israeli society. Hesder students have distinguished themselves in defense of the Land of Israel, and usually serve in the most critical areas, such as paratroops or one of the elite infantry brigades.

On behalf of the Yeshivot Hesder, Rosh Hayeshiva Rav Goldvicht, zt"l, received the Israel Prize, the nation's highest honor, in 1991. The ceremony took place in the presence of the President, the Minister of Education, and other dignitaries. The citation reads in part: "The Hesder Yeshiva movement is an original and creative innovation developed in the newly established State of Israel to replace the centers of Torah learning destroyed during the Holocaust in Europe."

Wartime

During times of war, Hesder students continue to serve in their uniquely dual capacity. During the Six Day War, the first-year students who had not yet been

A group of hesder soldiers with their tank in the Six Day War

inducted, as well as the foreign students, broke up into groups and staggered their learning hours to ensure that there would be students in the Beit Midrash around the clock. During their free hours, students dug trenches, helped young mothers whose husbands, Kollel members, had been drafted, and worked on nearby kibbutzim whose work force had been depleted.

Those on the battlefields nobly represented the Hesder ideal there as well. Students served mainly in the Paratroops, many in the unit which participated in the liberation of Jerusalem. When off duty, they tried to retain as much of the Yeshiva atmosphere as possible. Rav Goldvicht's addresses to the students were copied and sent to the Talmidim on the fronts, to strengthen their spirit as war approached and reinforce the feeling that their Yeshiva was with them wherever they served.

This feeling was demonstrated in a letter received by the Rosh Hayeshiva, zt"l, from a student on the front. It describes how Kerem B'Yavneh students organized a Shiur in Bava Metzia that was attended, for part of the period, by several non-religious soldiers. The Talmidim used their spare time to exert a positive influence on their surroundings wherever they were.

Another story, from the Yom Kippur War, serves to highlight the dedication of students of Kerem B'Yavneh, to both army service and Torah. Just after the first cease fire, many Ramim, including the Rosh Hayeshiva, zt"l, visited their students in the army. Among them was Director Eli Klein, who flew to a tank base near Fahid, across the Suez Canal, where eleven Kerem B'Yavneh students were stationed. On arrival at the base, he only found ten of his Talmidim. The unit commander was certain that the weary soldier, off-duty at the time, was probably sleeping in one of the tanks. A search of the tanks was fruitless. When Mr. Klein entered the Beit Kneset, there was the eleventh student, sitting on an ammunition box, with an open Gemara. Opposite him sat another soldier, not religious, who was interested in learning. In the best tradition of Hesder, he was taking precious time from his rest period to teach Torah to another Jew.

Passing of Harav Goldvicht, zt"l

Thousands at the funeral of Maran Rosh Hayeshiva, ztl, near his home in Arzei HaBirah and at Har HaMenuchot Cemetery

On 7 Adar Alef, 5755 (February 7, 1995), the renowned Gaon, Rosh Hayeshiva Harav Chayim Yaakov Goldvicht, zt"1, passed away after guiding the Yeshiva for forty years, from the time of its inception. He brought the Yeshiva to its recognized, prominent position among the great Yeshivot throughout the world. Upon retiring, Harav Goldvicht, zt"1, passed the mantle of leadership to one of his most illustrious Talmidim, Rosh Hayeshiva Harav Mordechai Greenberg, shlita. Rav Greenberg, shlita, is well known for his scholarship and erudition in the broad scope of Talmud, Halacha and Machshevet Yisrael [Jewish Philosophy]. He is the author of Birkat Eliyahu, a commentary on the Bi'ur HaGra on Shulchan Aruch Orech Chaim - Hilchot Shabbat. Rav Greenberg's unique personality - harmoniously combining wisdom, simplicity, truth and total devotion to Torah - is a constant source of inspiration for the Yeshiva students and staff.

Kerem B'Yavneh Today

At its dedication, Rav Kook, zt"l, and Rabbi Berlin, zt"l, envisioned a Yeshiva that would combine the intensive Talmudic traditions of the East European bastions of learning with an atmosphere that would remain consistent with the lifestyle of the young State. Now in its fifty-third year, Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh has successfully blended these elements, and actively pursues programs to meet the spiritual needs of the State of Israel and the Jewish people.

Kerem B'Yavneh has 450 Talmidim enrolled in its various programs. It tries to keep a proper mix between Israelis, who constitute three quarters of the student population, and those from overseas. The non-Israelis are mostly from the United States, with a sizable group coming from England, Europe, South Africa, Brazil, and Australia. The Yeshiva has a system of Shiurim designed to integrate the overseas students, and offers parallel Shiurim on different levels for the first year students.

Despite building expansion over the years, which have increased dormitory and classroom capacities, the Yeshiva is unable to keep up with the demand. Each year, the Yeshiva is forced to refuse a large number of applicants because it wants to maintain the unique relationship that the Rosh Yeshiva and Ramim have with the Talmidim. The Yeshiva has a "Tza'ir- M'vugar" system, which matches up new Talmidim with experienced elders who will assist and guide them in their studies. Most of the Ramim and Kollel students live on campus so that they are readily available to discuss matters at all times.

A Jewish State needs Torah scholars who are thoroughly trained in Jewish Law and are familiar with the jurisprudence of the State. Kerem B'Yavneh sponsors a "Kollel Avrechim" consisting of about 60 young Talmidei Chachamim, who have distinguished themselves in their studies and are dedicated to mastering the complexities of daily practical problems posed by life in a Jewish State. Many of them are preparing to serve as Dayanim [judges] in the Israeli Rabbinic Courts and some have already been appointed to these honored positions. These graduates enrich the general program of the Yeshiva by giving Shiurim, leading study groups and learning with younger Talmidim.

The Yeshiva has responded to the need to provide qualified teachers for the religious school system and Talmud instructors and Roshei Yeshiva for other institutions, by establishing a Pedagogical Institute. Special courses on an advanced level are offered, enabling those who pass the rigorous state exam to enter the Israeli educational system.

Kerem B'Yavneh runs a number of outreach activities. Among these is the well known program which enables Israeli teachers and principals to spend time at the Yeshiva to recharge their spiritual batteries and add to their knowledge of traditional texts. In addition, the Rosh Yeshiva and Ramim are also involved in the surrounding cities and towns, and often give lectures and teach classes to our neighbors. Students run events for wounded veterans and the chronically ill. Seminars run for Russian Olim [immigrants] have been well attended. They include trips to various historic areas, lectures, and holiday celebrations.

KBY History

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