New Zal To Emphasize ‘Essentials’

“Our goal is to place an emphasis on the essentials,” says Rabbi Levi Simpson, Mashpia in the brand new Zal that is set to open its doors this coming year in Cincinnati, Ohio. “We envision a Yeshiva that will help bochurim focus on getting back to the basics.”

The hanhala is young, energetic, and experienced in guiding bochurim, already having spent several years teaching in the Yeshiva system.

“After speaking with countless bochurim, I believe that bochurim want to do the right thing; they wish to be chassidishe bochurim, and yet some of them lack the tools to succeed,” explains Rabbi Simpson. “We want to provide that hadracha.”

Hadracha, or guidance, is one of the most important tasks that a Yeshiva is entrusted with, they say. With the proper hadracha, a bochur has the ability to thrive in Yeshiva, but without it, bochurim may end up falling through the cracks.

“There are many bochurim who learn for years in Yeshiva, yet do not acquire the ability to properly learn a sugya of Gemara,” says Rabbi Nissan Moskowitz, the maggid shiur for nigleh. “We recognize that each bochur learns differently, and our approach will focus on each bochur individually, by giving him the attention that he needs in order to grow.”

Rabbi Moskowitz says that his focus will be on giving his students the tools that they need to be able to learn and appreciate a piece of Gemara.

“The Rebbe Rashab describes the proper approach in Kuntres Eitz Chaim. First and foremost, a bochur needs to get down to knowing the svarah in the gemara; properly understanding Rashi and Tosfos and knowing why they disagree. We don’t want to get caught up in the periphery without really knowing the essentials. I am certain that Bochurim want to be stimulated when they learn Gemara, it is a matter of showing them that it doesn’t have to be boring, and believe it or not, it can be quite interesting.”

The Hanhala plans on a teaching approach that is tailor-made to the needs of each individual bochur. That starts with approaching bochurim and making sure that they are involved. “We don’t want to sit back, give shiurim, and hope that a bochur who did not understand will approach his teacher,” says Rabbi Simpson. “Giving a good shiur is only the first step. The next step is to follow up with each chavrusa in zal, reviewing the material with them and seeing to it that the study is being assimilated properly.”

This approach is not limited to learning alone. The hanhala wishes to guide bochurim in their chassidishe hanachos as well. “Bochurim are told what to be. They are encouraged to be chassidish, to have hiskashrus, to daven like a chossid and koch in Moshiach, yet they often struggle to apply that knowledge. We want to teach bochurim how to be a chassidishe bochur,” says Rabbi Simpson.

“We want the bochurim to know how to Daven; we want them to know how to further their hiskashrus to the Rebbe. The job of a mashpia is to guide a bochur, showing him what to do, and teaching him that living the life of a chassidishe bochur is possible in today’s day and age. We envision working hand-in-hand with our bochurim, making sure that they are treated with warmth and respect.”

Rabbis Simpson and Moskowitz will be joined by dedicated and experienced Eltere Bochurim, as well as a group of Shluchim who will enhance the atmosphere of the Yeshiva and ensure that every bochur is given the attention that he needs to thrive in Yeshiva.

The hanhala also wishes to extend their gratitude to Rabbi Gershon Avtzon for giving them the opportunity to create this Zal, through his hard efforts to obtain a property for the yeshiva and helping them overall to make this Yeshiva a reality.

Space is limited! For more information, or to register, please contact us at 347-967-6427, or at [email protected]