The true answer lies in the yeshiva’s place in our country’s
recent history and in our nation’s ancient commitment to Torah.
Yeshivat HaKotel was founded in the summer of 1967, just
weeks after the miraculous victory of the Six day War let us return to the Old
City of Jerusalem. The Old City means so much to so many of us: for some it is
a place of emotional outpouring, for others a focus for national pride—and for
others it is the ideal place to learn Torah and perpetuate its values. This is
why it is not by accident that the yeshiva is firmly embedded in the heart of
the Old City.
So what are the yeshiva’s core values? They can be summed up
easily. First, there is the Torah:
Developing love for and ability
to learn is the Yeshiva’s primary objective. Although concentrated on Gemara,
Yeshivat Hakotel’s multi-faceted learning program includes significant
opportunities to study Tanach, Halacha, Emunah, Machshava, and Mussar in a
meaningful way.
Of course, the Torah can be learned anywhere, at any time. So
why is learning in Israel special?
Hakotel sees learning in Israel
as a means of connecting to Am Yisrael’s return to Eretz Yisrael. Being at
Hakotel is not just learning about our history, but experiencing and becoming
part of it. Talmidim connect to the history of Eretz Yisrael as well as the
modern miracle of the State of Israel.
Yeshivat Hakotel fosters achdut
amongst its students by breaking down cultural barriers that often divide Jews
of different countries of origin. This feeling of brotherhood permeates all
aspects of Yeshiva life including classes, dormitory residence, and leisure
time. It also very much identifies with the dictum of the Mishneh in Avot (4:1)
that the wise man is the one who learns from all people.
These are big claims. But are they realistic? Yes!
We broaden talmidim’s horizons
and help them respect different types of Jews by teaching different
types of Jewish philosophies and hashkafot (Litvish,
Chassidish, rationalist, Kabbalistic …).
So, with all of this going on, why does the yeshiva bother
dealing with us?
We educate towards being part of
the larger Jewish community, which includes the Jews of Yerushalayim, the State
of Israel, and around the globe.
Pretty impressive stuff! For further details you can browse the yeshiva’s website in Hebrew or in English
As a footnote, we should mention that our own Rabbi Kenigsberg studied at Yeshivat HaKotel, and we are all enriched by the learning and the perspectives that he acquired there.
