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What is a Yeshiva?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A yeshiva is an academic institution which offers Jewish education. On the university level, a yeshiva is open to anyone who wishes to advance his or her knowledge of Judaism, and yeshivot (the plural form of yeshiva) also offer courses of study for people who are interested in becoming rabbis. Typically, yeshivot are Orthodox Jewish institutions, traditionally open to men, although some yeshivot have mixed student bodies. Women may also choose to study at a midrasha, an equivalent institution designed for women.

Scholarship and education are very important in the Jewish tradition, and it should come as no surprise to learn that some version of a yeshiva has been around in Jewish communities for centuries, although the modern organized form really arose in the 1800s. Israel hosts a large number of yeshivot, and there are a large number in the United States as well, especially in and around New York City, where there is a large Jewish community.

The Torah is studied in a yeshiva.
The Torah is studied in a yeshiva.

The term “yeshiva” is derived from the Hebrew yasab, which means “to sit,” reflecting an Jewish belief that pupils must sit to take lessons from a teacher or master. Yeshivot can be found at all levels of Jewish education; primary and secondary schools which offer religious instruction are also known as yeshivot. You might think of a university level yeshiva as a sort of seminary, although these schools are designed specifically for the advancement of religious education, not necessarily to create ordained rabbis.

A student might attend a yeshiva in the hopes of becoming a rabbi.
A student might attend a yeshiva in the hopes of becoming a rabbi.

At a yeshiva, students typically have long, grueling days which incorporate studies of the Torah, Talmud, and Jewish law (Halakha or Halacha). During the day, students often stop for prayers, study sessions, and debates to discuss issues which come up in the course of study. Each student is paired with a study partner (havrutha or havruta) or study partners (havruthot or havrutot) to work together with, drilling each other, discussing the meaning of the texts they study, and debating each other on various points of discussion. As a result, the interior of a yeshiva can get quite noisy, with a constant hum of discussion.

Jewish children who attend yeshiva school study Hebrew, the language in which rabbis should be fluent.
Jewish children who attend yeshiva school study Hebrew, the language in which rabbis should be fluent.

Courses of study in yeshivot encourage individual responsibility, reminding students of their obligations to the ideals of justice. Students are encouraged to probe more deeply into topics they do not fully understand, and to discuss issues with each other and come to their own opinions. A thorough course of study in a yeshiva can help someone understand the complexities and fine points of Jewish law, even if he or she does not choose to go on to become a rabbi.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon20539

Yeshiva comes from "yoshev" -- the present tense, to sit verb. The term is, in America, used for schools which have a dual curriculum of secular and Judaic studies and stress the religious a bit more than what are called academies or day schools. Some yeshivas significantly downplay the secular studies and their graduates are more prepared to stay within the right wing jewish world. Others are more modern and try to act both as religious centers and prep schools. There is no one right formula for what a yeshiva is, what it sounds like inside, or its particular course of study.

frankjoseph

At a yeshiva ketana (a high school yeshiva) students are typically taught regular subjects (like the arts, foreign languages, math, and science) too.

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    • The Torah is studied in a yeshiva.
      By: ewrobinson
      The Torah is studied in a yeshiva.
    • A student might attend a yeshiva in the hopes of becoming a rabbi.
      By: Anyka
      A student might attend a yeshiva in the hopes of becoming a rabbi.
    • Jewish children who attend yeshiva school study Hebrew, the language in which rabbis should be fluent.
      By: eranyardeni
      Jewish children who attend yeshiva school study Hebrew, the language in which rabbis should be fluent.