Everything about Beth Medrash Govoha totally explained
Beth Medrash Govoha (
Hebrew: ) is the largest Talmudical Academy in the
United States and according to the
New York Times one of the largest in the world. A
Haredi institution, it was founded in 1943 by
Rabbi Aharon Kotler in
Lakewood Township,
New Jersey where it remains. It is commonly known as Bais Medrash Govoha, BMG, or Lakewood Yeshiva. Its prestige has drawn tens of thousands of
Orthodox Jews to Lakewood in the last two decades.
The yeshiva is licensed by the
New Jersey Commission on Higher Education and
accredited by the
Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools. It is authorized to grant
bachelor's degrees and
master's degrees in
Talmudics to those students who apply and qualify for the degrees, as well as a post-master's
certificate in Talmudic studies.
Curriculum
The yeshiva studies are based on classical
Torah study traditions using the
Talmud,
Shulchan Aruch,
responsa and
rabbinic literature as texts and sources.
The daily schedule consists of three
sedorim, or study sessions, devoted to study, plus daily prayers and meals. In each session there's usually a main limud' (field/focus of study) based on the Talmud. However there also exists a system of
chaburahs (group study) where 10-70 scholars form a
chaburah (group) to study specific sub-texts within the Talmud and/or Shulchan Aruch. All of these take place in one of the over eight study halls available throughout the four study buildings of Beth Medrash Govoha.
The main
limud is usually a part of Talmud and isn't a part of Shulchan Aruch. However the way the Talmud is studied might include the relevant portion of the Shulchan Aruch as an adjunct and complementary study. Each "chaburah" may differ in the amount of time spent studying the Shulchan Aruch.
Chaburah system
Every
chaburah has a
Rosh Chaburah (head/leader of the study group). It is the Rosh Chaburah's responsibility to arrange enough seats for the members of his
chaburah and to decide the
limud (subject of study) that will take place for the rest of the semester, as well as make sure that there's a lecture given on the subject studied at least once a week. Many "chaburos" also require members to prepare and give lectures on a rotating basis. This is always in addition to the Rosh Chaburah's weekly lecture.
Acceptance and registration
Application
Applications to enroll into the yeshiva are accepted twice a year, in the summer for the winter semester, and in the winter for the summer semester. There are no enrollments for the fall semester. The deadlines vary, and they're generally close to the 1st of
Elul for enrollment in the winter, and the 1st of
Adar for enrollment in the summer. The cost of the application is $125.00.
Testing and acceptance
This is generally a four part process. Only applicants who have received a "bechina (entrance exam) card" authorizing them to advance will be able to proceed with these steps:
- The applicant completes a secondary registration application which asks for more detailed additional information that wasn't required on the original application.
- The admissions officer holds a general interview with the applicant. With him are usually one or two other members of the faculty. The meeting will usually be short, allowing the admissions department an opportunity to evaluate the candidate's general potential for success in the institute.
- A faculty member tests the candidate in general Talmudic knowledge. A grade is issued, on a scale of one to five, reflecting the applicant's possession of the requisite knowledge.
- One of the four roshei yeshiva (deans) listens to a Pilpul, or talmudic discourse, from the applicant. This part of the exam is to test the applicant's ability to engage in specialized Talmudic reasoning called . Here too, a grade is issued on a scale of one to five.
- After completing the two exams. The acceptance will depend on a combination of all the factors in the admissions process. Usually applicants are notified during Chol HaMoed about the decision. If the applicant is accepted, he and his parents are then required to set up a meeting with the tuition department to discuss tuition arrangements.
Registration
After acceptance, tuition is negotiated, and the accepted student must complete steps required by the State of New Jersey of all students entering dormitories and post-secondary schools in New Jersey. These steps include obtaining health insurance (either through their parents or through the Yeshiva's student insurance plan), and obtaining required vaccinations for measles, mumps, and rubella; a second measles shot; and the meningococcal vaccine.
In the signed acceptance agreement, the matriculating student is required to agree to abide by the rules of the institution.
Semesters/Zmanim
Three
zmanim (semesters) exist in a year, based on the
Hebrew calendar:
Winter zman, which is from Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan through the seventh of Nisan.
Summer zman from Rosh Chodesh Iyar through the tenth of Av.
Elul zman from Rosh Chodesh Elul through the eleventh of Tishrei.
The three zmanim span two official semesters. The Fall semester runs through the Winter zman. The Spring semester includes the Summer zman and Elul zman.
Tumult day
Tumult day is a distinct feature of Beth Medrash Gevoha. It is at this time that chavrusos (study partners) must be arranged. Among other things, students discuss with potential study partners what limud they'd like to study, and also make sure that the study partnership has the potential to succeed, both on a personal level and on an intellectual level. Additionally, it's at this time that students are required to arrange entry into a particular "chaburah", or study group. This intense and highly competitive method is unique to Beth Medrash Gevoha.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Beth Medrash Govoha'.
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