Men’s Beit Midrash

Our Men’s Beit Midrash meets daily with R’ Yona Rothman, a Talmudic scholar of extremely fine character. He inspires our students and leads them to new depths and heights in Torah learning.

We are proud to announce that Reb Shlomo Katz and Reb Eliyahu Haber are joining our staff. We welcome them with open arms and hearts and bless them and their students with much success, b’ezrat Hashem.

The Men’s Beit Midrash meets Sunday-Thursday, 9:30am-1:15 pm and is staffed by Rabbis Yona Rothman, Shlomo Katz, Sholom Brodt and Eliyahu Haber.

Mishna

Our Rabbis teach that the word “mishna” contains the same letters as “neshama” (the Hebrew word for soul) and the study of mishna awakens the neshama. We will spend a short period of each day studying Mishna, which focuses on basic aspects of the Torah information. In addition to being a self-contained course of study, the Mishna is also the foundation block to the study of Gemora, which is essentially a running commentary on mishnaot. The language of the Mishna is relatively simple, making it easier for a beginner to master and thereby begin to acquire the basic Talmudic terminology.

Talmud* Bavli- The Babylonian Talmud

If the Written Torah, the 5 Books of Moses, constitute G!D’s spoken words as recorded by Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses our teacher), the Gemora (or Oral Torah) constitutes G!D’s thought process, so to speak. The body of Gemora was evolved over centuries by the collective brain trust of the greatest Tzaddikim and Rabbinical scholars of the Jewish people both in Eretz Yisrael and in Babylon. It was only reluctantly written down (along with the Mishna) as a last resort, aimed to keep the precious oral knowledge from being lost as a result of terrible privations — massacres, persecutions and mass expulsions suffered by the Jewish people over centuries. Contained within the pages of the Gemora are discussions about virtually everything that could happen in life, from the momentous to the mundane. However, Gemora is written and presented in a style unique unto itself, largely impenetrable to the casual observer.

Our goal is to provide students with skills that will prove invaluable for deciphering, decoding and ultimately comprehending a page of Gemora on their own. We do this by jumping right into the thick of it: the complex world of Talmudic discussion. Though it may seem foreign at first (Gemora switches between Hebrew and Aramaic freely throughout the discussions), the Gemora style of discussion begins to become more familiar as key words and logical constructs become increasingly distinguishable. Gradually, we come to inhabit the pages ourselves and no longer feel like outside spectators.

An integral part of Gemora learning is chavruta study: learning in pairs. Students will engage in chavruta study daily, reviewing Gemora texts we’ve learned and preparing new ones, so that everyone is active in the learning process.

The Gemora class will include a beginner level, for those who are totally or nearly new to this world. A more advanced level is available for students with some previous Gemora learning.

*The term Talmud, which means learning, includes the Mishna and Gemora.

Chumash: Bible

A weekly class to review the Parshat Hashavoua (the weekly Torah portion) along with selections from the classical and Chassidic Torah commentators. We will also offer a weekly in-depth class focused on learning how to learn Chumash and Rashi.

Halacha

This class focuses on the traditional halachas/laws of Shabbat within a contemporary context. We will work with a text (Hilchot Shabbat), written by a scholar living in Eretz Yisrael today. We will learn practical halacha, such as how to prepare, warm and serve food and drinks on Shabbat and Yom Tov. A conceptual framework will be provided in order that we “get” why it is we do what we do on Shabbat. In the process, we will build both our Mishnaic and modern Hebrew vocabulary. During this class we will also prepare for upcoming chagim, familiarizing ourselves with their particular mitzvot.

In-Depth Halachic Tours:

Once a week, Rabbi Yona Rothman takes his students on an in-depth tour on halachic topics and their inner meaning. The flow of the halachic process is explored by first examining the root of each topic in the Torah, and following the Talmudic discussions on it. From there the tour moves on to Maimonides/Rambam’s commentary, and finally delves into Chassidic and Kabbalistic insights.

Every halacha, no matter how dry it seems, has within it a hidden light. Through studying these sources in-depth, we draw the spiritual significance of the mitzvah and feel its connection with our Creator. These teachings reveal the inner beauty of the Torah and give us greater strength and excitement in performing mitzvot.

Chassidut

The Deepest of the Deep: The Chassidic Teachings of Reb Shlomo Carlebach zt”l

Yeshivat Simchat Shlomo is very proud to offer this new daily class in which we will explore major Chassidic schools of thought and their teachings, as given over by Reb Shlomo Carlebach.

Ishbitz, Slonim, Rizhin, Ropshitz, Pshischa, Breslov, Kotzk, Lublin and many more are not just names that come up in beautiful stories. They are the wellsprings from Reb Shlomo drank from and disseminated to the world.

Join Reb Shlomo Katz in exploring these Chassidic dynasties themselves as well as their Torahs, together with Reb Shlomo’s own unique and heartwarming style, which only he knew how to give over.

Participants in this course will need to be part of Men’s Beit Midrash for at least an additional hour each day, either studying in chevruta or by joining one of our existing Talmud classes.

Community Learning Program

Daily Tanya/ Chassidut (men and women)

Many consider our Daily Tanya/Chassidut class as their daily spiritual bread. Known as “The Book of the Average Man,” the Tanya’s teachings inspires and guides our early risers in discovering God from within. Learning Chassidut early in the morning is one of the best ways to get your mind geared towards manifesting spirituality throughout the rest of your day.

Rabbi Sholom Brodt Sun- Fri 7:15am-8:00am

Secrets of Joy (men and women)

Everyone seeks it, but it remains elusive. It is desirable and crucial. It cannot be bought with money. Deep within, it waits to be revealed. Come and learn the secrets of joy as found in the original texts of the Alter Rebbe, Rebbe Nachman, and Reb Shlomo Carlebach.

Reb Sholom Brodt Sunday 2 - 3:30 PM

Sing My Soul: In-Depth Tehillim Study (women only)

This course offers an in-depth study of the Psalms of David that have been part of the siddur for hundreds of years. It will combine in-depth study, skill building, prayer techniques and Chassidic insights.

Morah Rochel Rena Silber Mondays 2:00pm-3:15pm

Torah and Healing (women only)

Learn Torah-based practices and paths of healing for body and soul. Sources include teachings from Chazal, the Siddur, and teachings from students of the Ba’al Shem Tov, including Rebbe Nachman of Breslov and R’Yitzchak Ginsburg. Each class will be an independent unit, not relying on previous class attendance.

Morah Rochel Rena Silber Mondays 3:30pm-4:45pm

Living in the Times According to Chassidut (women only)

Using a variety of Chassidic sources and teachings, this is a class in practical Torah for everyday life. Based on the Parashat HaShavoua (the weekly Torah portion) and the Jewish holiday cycle, lessons are geared to infuse students with a vibrant taste of Jewish spirituality that is always fresh and relevent.

Morah Rochel Rena Silber Mondays 5:00pm-6:30pm

Tefila Class: The Who, What, Why, Where, When, and How

With an emphasis on sharing the insights of our own personal journeys, we will be using classical and hasidic texts to study together the who, what, why, where, when, and how of Prayer. No prior knowledge of hebrew or traditional prayer texts is necessary to participate and the class is open to both men and women.

Reb Ezra Amichai Mondays 7:30pm-9:00pm

Dynamic Chassidus Parsha Class (women only)

This shiur really sets the tone of the week, by helping us connect to the Parsha with deep insights. Treat yourself and your soul to Leah’s wonderful and inspiring shiurim.

Morah Leah Golomb Tuesdays 9:30am-10:45am

The Gates of Emunah (women only)

Using a variety of inspirational texts, this class will focus on the foundations of emunah (faith). B’ezrat Hashem, we will learn how to go beyond our own intellect and reach the inner hidden source of our faith, strengthening and manifesting our everyday faith in Hashem.

Morah Leah Golomb Tuesdays 11:00am-12:15pm

Rebbe Nachman (men and women)

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov had a unique way of expressing Torah wisdom that continues to inspire people from many different Jewish backgrounds. This class takes a deep look at one of Rebbe Nachman’s most important works - Likkutei Moharan.

Rabbi Raz Hartman Tuessdays 2:30pm-3:45pm

Rav Kook (men and women)

Rav Kook was the first Chief Rabbi of Israel, before the foundation of the State. He believed deeply in Halacha and practiced it, while he also had an unusual openness to new ideas. This is an in-depth, weekly class studying the teachings of Rav Kook.

Rabbi Raz Hartman Tuesdays 4:00pm-5:15pm

Women in the Tanach – Applying their Middot into Our Own Lives (women only)

Let’s explore the lives and times of Women in the Tanach. We will be studying great female leaders such as our four Matriarchs, Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah, as well as Chava, Devora the Prophetess, Tamar, Michal, the Tzlofchad Sisters, Yael, Esther, Ruth and several others. We will take an in-depth look into how these inspirational women lived their lives and discuss how to personally integrate the meritorious attributes they exemplified. Our learning will involve Biblical text, Midrash, Agaddah, classic and contemporary commentaries, as well as insights of the Chassidic masters.

Morah Tali Katz Tuesdays 7:30-8:30 PM

The Secrets of Shabbos

To discover the essence and bliss of Shabbos:

For whatever level of Ruchaniut (spirituality) you’re at, for whatever level of Hebrew you’re at, come and learn these transformative, deep teachings of the Holy Slonimer Rebbe on Shabbat. Each class will start with a close reading and translation of selected texts from his sefer, Netivot Shalom, and close with a meditation.

Emuna (Witt) Halevi Wednesdays 9:30am-10:45am

Shirey HaNefesh:Songs of the Soul

Shirey HaNefesh is the title of Malbim’s masterful commentary on the Song of Songs. We will learn it together, and when helpful, compare it with other commentaries on Song of Songs. As the year progresses, I foresee entering into deeper and deeper discussions and textual studies about our souls. We will use these to deepen our connection to Hashem, to our own souls, to each other’s souls — all for the purpose of reviving the collective soul of Israel and Mankind in preparation for the Geulah.

Rabbi Avraham Sutton Wednesdays 4:00pm-5:30pm

The Amazing World of Rabbi Nachman’s Torah

Inside learning of selected passages of Likutey Halakhot, Likutey Tefillot, and Likutey Moharan.

Rabbi Avraham Sutton Wednesdays 6:45pm-8:15pm

Chassidic Insights on the Weekly Parsha (men and women)

Study of the weekly parsha and its relationship to our personal lives from the perspectives of the Chassidic Masters.

Rabbi Sholom Brodt Wednesdays 8:30pm-9:45pm

Jewish Living: Torah and Ecology (men and women)

Through the eyes of the Torah, Talmud, Shulchan Aruch and Chassidut, discover deep values underlying our relationship with the environment. Featuring guest scholars from the extended community of Jewish Environmentalists. For more information, please check out our Eco-activist Beit Midrash website: http://www.shlomoyeshiva.org/eco-new

Rabbi Shaul David Judelman Dates to be announced

Safrut - Jewish Scribal Arts (men)

Our goals are to instruct a group of 3-5 self-driven men who yearn for ‘Yirat Shamayim’ and ‘Ahavat Olam’ to become a competent team of sofrim. Halachic course work - Mishnat Sofrim: methodology of writing the letters; spacing between paragraphs; argumentation between ‘poskim’; halachic correcting of mistakes and kavanot. Keset Hasofer: consciousness in writing Hashem’s name; understanding the import of Mikveh and more advanced kavanot. Course goal - to prepare a kosher Megillat Ester. You must register in advance for this course, as the course will only take place if at least 3 students are registered.

Oren Benyamin Benoff 2 sessions per week - 2hr sessions

You Shall Be Holy (Parshat Kedoshim) (men and women)

In this class we will delve deeply into classical and Chassidic commentaries on the meaning of holiness, love, fear, honesty, communal responsibility, and respect as well as many of the other mitzvot contained in this parsha.

Both beginners and advanced students will build and refine their Chumash and Rashi skills through careful textual study. Hebrew knowledge is not a prerequisite. This course is usually offered during our 2nd semester, after Channukah.

Rabbi Sholom Brodt Sundays & Tuesdays 2:00pm-3:30pm

The Story Of Yetziat Mitzrayim As A Model For Personal Liberation (men and women)

We are commanded by the Torah to experience our liberation from slavery every day and every moment. In this course we will closely study the first fifteen chapters of sefer Shmot (Exodus) to discover the detailed teachings about our personal enslavements and how to be liberated from them. This class will begin in January, 2009.

Rabbi Sholom Brodt Tuesdays, Jan 13-Feb 3 2009

From Pesach to Shavuot- Prikei Avot (Ethics of Our Fathers)

There are six Shabbatot between Pessach and Shavuot. It is an ancient and widespread custom to study the six chapters of Pirkei Avot - “Ethics of the Fathers” during these six Shabbatot. We were not ready to receive the Torah immediately after having been liberated from Mitzrayim. We needed this period of seven weeks to ‘cleanse’ ourselves and to prepare ourselves spiritually to receive the Torah. The Rabbis teach “Derech eretz kadmah l’Torah.” Being a “mentsh” - a decent human being, precedes Torah, meaning that in order to receive the Torah you ahve to be a ‘mentsh’. Pirkei Avot teaches us how to be a ‘mentsh’. This class usually begins when classes resume after Pesach break.

Rabbi Sholom Brodt Tuesdays 5:30pm-7:00pm