OLD CITY JERUSALEM YESHIVA OPENS FOR MATURE STUDENTS

‘The world belongs to the young’ is a cliché most people accept blindly. But in a new Yeshiva in Jerusalem’s Old City, ‘old’ is not a dirty word.  A dozen men, ranging from 84 to 32, are grabbing Torah as their rightful inheritance in a new Yeshiva started by Rabbi Shalom Gold.

A unique aspect of Yeshivas Rabbi Akiva is Rabbi Gold’s teaching technique of the Hebrew language structure so that he takes a man from his present level to soar above his own expectations. Author of the DikDukBuk, Rabbi Gold, using his method, takes a bright beginning student into much higher levels of classes within weeks.
For students who have had learning difficulties their entire lives, they can now  break through those difficulties. “I painfully grappled with Hebrew, which prevented me from enjoying the wonders of Torah. Finally, I was able to unlock the seemingly hidden, yet obvious and clear, patterns of the language.”

Rabbi Gold, a veteran Torah teacher, is a master in giving over the structure of Hebrew for Jews at every level, has dedicated the past twenty years in handing those keys over to others. Seeing the need for a learning setting where an older student would not merely be spoon fed with executive lectures, Rabbi Gold offered Yeshivas Rabbi Akiva as an alternative challenge to those who are willing to forge ahead if only they had the tools.

Men who have never encountered Torah in depth are now experiencing an excitement they don’t want to keep to themselves.  “Everyone deserves a piece of this,” says Mr. S,, 84, happily learning at the Yeshiva. . He reminds us that Rabbi Akiva, eventually one of the greatest teachers during the time of the Mishnah, started his Torah learning later in life. “Though Rabbi Akiva was already 40 years old, he persisted just like the drops of stream water he observed boring a hole through stone.  It is said that Akiva didn’t even know the alef-bet, but he overcame any embarrassment in starting at the lowest beginner’s level. And who grew greater than Rabbi Akiva?”

Yeshivas Rabbi Akiva harnesses Rabbi Gold’s system of Hebrew learning, giving beginners a structural understanding of patterns in the language and how they apply in text. Those who thought themselves far from understanding the Hebrew Chumash, Gomorra and Rashi will find themselves closer from the very first class.

Focusing on reawakening Jewish souls who have felt cut off from their eternal heritage, the Yeshiva’s only requirement is a sincere desire for self-improvement. Rabbi Gold insists. “We can teach you how to learn Hebrew. We can teach you to capture what you thought was lost and out of your reach.”

Baruch, a 48 year old Ba’al Tshuva who left yeshiva several years ago, now learning with Rabbi Gold, comments, “So many men grow older without purpose. I was also wasting time, wondering about the meaning of life. We all know that Torah rejuvenates, excites and bolsters purpose building a bridge from this world to the next. I’m so thankful that Yeshivas Rabbi Akiva is allowing us to access the depths of Torah using this simple method.”

Besides the actual revelation of the Hebrew patterns which Gold has brought to light, his methodology is one that fulfills the spiritual yearnings of his students. The morning schedule begins with Chumash with Rashi commentary. Since the emphasis is on understanding the Hebrew structure within the text, the pleasure in learning these words straight from holy books stimulates the desire to stick with it even through the difficulties.

The day continues with Gemorrah with Rashi commentary. Again, Hebrew and Aramaic language learning is highlighted amidst breaking down the simple meaning of a page. Halacha class with the Mishna Brura gives added opportunity for translation and word identification. This allows students to learn the hallacha which originated from the Gemorrah learnt that morning.. A selection of respected guest Rabbis deliver lesson in Chumash, Prophets, Midrash, Jerusalem Talmud and Mussar. (Wednesday evenings, a women's class is held on the secrets of prayer, using a breakdown of Hebrew grammar.)

For the many who believed their lack of Hebrew skills prohibited them from in-depth and meaningful study, Yeshivas Rabbi Akiva is a fresh path to our ancient heritage. Stop by the Yeshivas’ Beis Midrish at 3 Gal-ed Street in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City.

Read the recent Mishpacha article written about Yeshiva Rabbi Akiva.

See our full colored brochure.

For further information call Rabbi Gold in Jerusalem at 02-6281874 or 054-636-7868    e-mail rabbiakivayeshiva@gmail.com or USA line ringing in Israel:732-587-5188.