The Yeshiva Blog
Why should I consider Bircas for Shana Gimmel?
You’ve had the Shana Aleph experience, stayed on for more in Shana Bet and now you’re looking to take your learning and growth to the next level.
Someone who decides to stay for that additional year in yeshiva is usually highly motivated and wants to make the best use of his time in yeshiva.
So, what are the key benefits of learning in Bircas for Shana Gimmel?
Rabbi Gavriel Leventhal, Mashgiach of Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah
There are three main reasons which I would say that you should consider coming to Bircas HaTorah for Shanna Gimmel.
The Learning
The first one obviously is the learning. That should be foremost in your mind, because that's really what you’re looking to do in a third year. What we're emphasizing and what we're spending most of the time doing is training the talmidim to sharpen their minds, their sechel, so you can understand how the Gemara works and how to engage the Chazal with your own mind.
What that means is, if you ever had the issue of, you know, you learned the gemara, you learned the Rashi, and the Tosfos and “Now what? You know, I don't know. Let's open up another book and see what someone else says, the Ramban, the Rashba”.
We're looking to solve that issue by training you on how to think and how the gemara works and that really deploys you to the depth of the gemara and appreciation for Chazal that nothing else will.
The second point of learning is the shiur. The shiurim that we have are very dynamic and the goal is not just for the maggid shiur to come and make sure you have the readout or that you understood the Rashi, or that you understood the Tosfos, but to go a level beyond that. You're looking to up your learning in the third year. Our goal is to push you further and to teach you how to build the sugya yourself. That will give you the tools and the skills that when you leave the Yeshiva b’ezras Hashem you’'ll be able to yourself give over Torah in a very sophisticated deep way.
The Environment
Besides the learning, there's also the environment of the Yeshiva. You'll be surrounded by avreichim, people who have dedicated their lives to limmud haTorah and to developing and growing in avodas Hashem. Being around that kind of environment is empowering. It's inspirational. And it will give you a certain koach for the third year which you haven't had up until now.
Not only that, but you'll be surrounded by powerful Rebbeim and Rosh Yeshiva and you really will have the option of connecting with them, creating relationships that will last a lifetime. We have a Rosh Yeshiva who is extremely powerful and you will have the access to get to know him, speak with him and special hear special va’adim from him. That’s very valuable.
Personal Growth
Personal growth in general is something that we take very seriously. Learning is not something that is abstract. Everything that you learn - it doesn't matter which gemara you're learning, or sifrei mussar, or the halacha - everything has an impact on your life. It's not some abstract idea or dead words in a book. It's something that means something in your life, in a personal way. And when everybody takes that seriously and that's the environment, it’s also extremely powerful.
One other thing - College
One other thing I would say to keep in mind is the college programs and courses that we offer. We understand and we're sensitive to the fact that sometimes coming for a third year, you have to have your eye on the future, and the plan. And sometimes even during the third year you have to have options of college and degrees and other things that you might have to augment your schedule with. We understand that and the yeshiva has a number of different options how to deal with that. Reach out for more information.
Invitation
Lastly, I would say that the best idea to understand what's going on here, and what Bircas has to offer, is to come for a morning, reach out. We'll set you up with the chavrusas, you'll go to shiur, you'll meet the Rebbeim, meet the talmidim, see the dorm, see the lunch. (You know, the food is great. Not that's the reason you should come. But the fact is it's good.) Really reach out. We'll set you up. You'll see what's going on over here. That's the best way of doing it. Hatzlacha rabba!
Testimonials and Endorsements
"Having had the privilege to be present at some of Rabbi Tagger's compelling shiurim—both on sugyos in Shas as well as in inyanei Hashkafa—I can attest firsthand to his unique ability to thoroughly engage his talmidim of all levels, provoking them to think honestly and be true to the nuance of the text, while at the same time encouraging creative solutions that can withstand rigorous critique. The process draws each talmid into the ever-expanding, magnificent worldof Hashem's Torah, and the conclusions penetrate the heart, excite the mind, and engender a pervasive love of Torah."
Rabbi Elysha Sandler
Mashgiach Ruchani, Yeshiva Sh'or Yoshuv
From his Haskama on the Rosh Yeshiva of Bircas HaTorah's Mussar Sefer
"I know Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah and Hagaon Rav Nissim Tagger. He is doing amazing work and producing wonderful Bnei Torah."
Rav Asher Weiss
World Renowned Dayan and Posek
"I have had the privilege of getting to know Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah and its great Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Nissim, along with many of the Yungelite and Bochurim. Bircas HaTorah is an outstanding Makom Torah, with talmidim who are serious, focused, engaged, and energized. I have spoken there for the talmidim and met many of them, and I see in the atmosphere—and in each of them—tremendous she'ifus for aliyah in Torah and ruchniyus, and a desire to serve Klal Yisrael. This reflects both the Rosh Yeshiva and the talmidim themselves, who create an atmosphere of real ruchniyus growth with a seriousness of purpose."
Rabbi Aharon Kotler
President Emeritus, Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood
"Valley Torah High School and Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah have had a deep relationship for many years. I personally have experienced the unique Torah atmosphere that permeates this yeshiva. The love, concern, and commitment to every talmid that they manifest—even after they leave the yeshiva—is nothing short of remarkable. For a young man mature enough to appreciate what Bircas HaTorah has to offer, there is no yeshiva like it!"
Rabbi Avrohom Stulberger
Menahel, Valley Torah, Los Angeles
"The student who enters the Yeshiva of Bircas HaTorah is not the same as the one who leaves. He is transformed into a disciple of another world—a world he never knew existed, a world he never dreamed of reaching.... Anyone who listens to the Shiurim of the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Tagger Shlita cannot remain in the same place— he is automatically lifted up. After a period of serious study, he will hardly recognize himself!"
Rav Avraham Ziskind, Rosh Yeshivas Keser Torah
Former Rosh Mesivta Yeshivas Beis Shmuel and Yeshivas Netiv Hadaas (Kaplans)
"Our South African Kehillah has benefited greatly from the graduates of Bircas HaTorah, who, I have found, emerge from years of learning at Bircas with a deep appreciation for the value of achrayus—responsibility—for Klal Yisrael. Their impact when returning home has always been, and continues to be, a source of chizuk for our kehillah."
Rabbi Warren Goldstein
Chief Rabbi of South Africa
"Many of our talmidim from Yeshiva Maharsha SA have learned under the guidance of the esteemed Rosh Yeshiva HaRav Nissim Tager shlita. I can only praise and endorse the Yeshiva, not only in terms of the level of learning but for the care, nurturing and love of the talmid which instills an ahavas haTorah in them. This stands with them forever."
Rabbi Menachem Raff
Rav of Kehillas Maharsha, South Africa
"I have had the privilege of visiting the Yeshiva on a number of occasions and have witnessed the warm, family atmosphere where the Rebbeim invest in their Talmidim. Bircas HaTorah excels in the personal attention they provide for each boy and they build them and nurture them to become real Bnei Torah with a love of learning. The Rosh Yeshiva opens their minds and challenges them in learning and on their outlook in life, which develops Talmidim that are thinking and growing in their Avodas Hashem."
Rabbi Ilan Halberstadt
Rav of Beir Knesset Machzike Hadath, Golders Green
"Rabbi Tagger brought his Sefer of Shiurim on Meseches Shabbos for me to see....he was bestowed with abundant talent to be able to delve deeply into the Rishonim and draw up pearls, with good understanding and straight sevara.. Since I recognize him, as he is my neighbour, and his fear of heaven precedes his wisdom, I bless him that the merit of his fathers and that of his own merit, should allow him to continue..."
Rav Sholom Cohen zt"l
Rosh Yeshivat Porat Yosef, Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, Sephardic Gadol Hador
In his Haskama to the Rosh Yeshiva's Sefer on Meseches Shabbos
"I know very well the great toil and intensive effort that the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Tagger Shlita, invested in the study of Torah to reach this level... I want to publicly acknowledge that the Rosh Yeshiva makes his nights like days to raise up students to greatness in Torah and Yirah, until they are genuine Talmidei Chachamim... I am deeply impressed by this unbelievable investment that the Rosh Yeshiva puts in his students..."
Rav Shlomo Yedidya Zafrani
Rav of Kehillot Ameley HaTorah, Rosh Kollel and Av Beis Din Keter Torah
From his Haskama on the Rosh Yeshiva of Bircas HaTorah's Mussar Sefer