Bircas Community

Chesed Activities

Throughout the cobblestone streets of Jerusalem’s Old City, delicious aromas are known to waft from Bircas HaTorah homes every day of the week. Chesed activities abound in this inspired community. Besides welcoming dozens of guests each Shabbos, wives of yeshiva students have organized and maintained multiple community chesed programs since the yeshiva’s inception in 1989.

The women of Bircas HaTorah have banded together to provide concrete assistance with everything from household chores to medical equipment for those who can not care for themselves. For a minimum of two weeks after having a child, Bircas HaTorah families have meals delivered to their homes every day. Thanks to the support of this caring community, men and women requiring bed rest due to pregnancy or illness are assured that their family is securely provided for.

Not only do difficult times bring the Bircas HaTorah community to action. Bridegrooms from the yeshiva are joined by the Bircas HaTorah community throughout their joyous occasion. A memorable sheva brachos dinner for a new yeshiva couple took place with over fifty guests on a rabbi's beautiful rooftop terrace with views spanning the entire Jewish quarter. This marked the beginning of a week long celebration at the homes of other Bircas HaTorah families. When another yeshiva wedding took place only days later, the Bircas HaTorah community enjoyed multiple simchas as sheva brachos were hosted for both couples simultaneously.

The Bircas HaTorah community comes together to share in holiday celebrations. Communal dinner parties, taking place Simchas Torah evening and immediately after Yom Kippur, involve the entire community. Led by Rebbetzins Devorah Green and Ayelet Wegbreit, preparation of the multi-course meals is divided between the women of the community. Single yeshiva students take the opportunity to lend a hand moving furniture, delivering tables and chairs, and purchasing foods and drinks. A convivial atmosphere takes place as all guests share in serving the meal and cleaning up afterwards.

A number of female members of the community, whether they were bas bayises by a Rebbetzin, members of a Bircas family, or a resident of the Old City whose parents never made them a Kiddush for their baby naming have been fortunate enough to have one of the wives prepare a Shabbos morning Kiddush in their honor as a segula for marriage.

Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah is characterized by the integrity and generosity of its members. New families are welcomed into the fold with open arms. Bircas wives share lasting friendships and a welcoming atmosphere that greets every newcomer to the Bircas HaTorah circle.

As Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Shimon Green envisioned long ago, Bircas HaTorah is a community where Torah is not only dynamically studied, but vibrantly lived. Thriving with chesed and friendship in the heart of Jerusalem, the community of Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah is a privilege and a pleasure to be a part of.

Reaching Out While Reaching In

One of the unique advantages of learning in the Old City of Jerusalem is our proximity to the Kotel. The place where millions of Jews have turned in prayer for 3000 years is right here, if not at our doorstep, at least close enough that we are able to feel its presence.

There is a tradition, officially attributed to Dayan Fischer, zt"l, that when a Jew davens 40 days at the Kotel for a particular request that request will be answered. Those who are unable to travel to the Kotel themselves can appoint an emissary to pray in their stead. Batya Burd, wife of our director Gershon Burd, saw this as an opportunity to do a unique chesed for Jews living outside of Israel while at the same time helping the yeshiva and its talmidim. Through the organization she founded, Western Wall Prayers, people from all over the world have seen their prayers answered. In appointing an emissary, individuals make a charitable donation to the organization and towards supporting the families of b’nei Torah living in the Old City. Through the 40 days of prayer, both the emissary and Batya often become very connected to the one who made the prayer request. Many have been inspired to increase in learning and observance of Torah, while the emissaries themselves feel a definite change in themselves after davening sincerely for another person for 40 days. Shidduchim, the blessing of children, and other blessings have come to people through these prayers.

To find out more, click on the link below: