Yeshivat Migdal HaTorah

You have questions. BIG questions. They have been bothering you, haven’t they? You have been searching for answers, but never really felt satisfied. Our environment is one of intellectual honesty and free discourse. Our teachers and students engage in open discussion, encouraging challenges and debate. Rather than imposing a view, we encourage an organic process, allowing each student to see the beauty of Judaism through their own lens. Visit our website to see some of the questions intellectually honest students just like you are grappling with. Together we can learn to confront these questions head on.

The typical gap year yeshiva program involves intense study of the Torah and Talmud, trips throughout the country, unique chesed opportunities, and strengthening the relationship with Israel. Our unique educational philosophy expands the experience, introducing new and challenging topics to its curriculum. One area of focus, in the spirit of Maimonides and other great Torah giants, is the study of science and physics as essential reflections of God’s wisdom and the Torah.

To help enhance this overall study, we brought our students on an unprecedented trip to CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) in Geneva to study the Large Hadron Collider, as well as Bern, the birthplace of Einstein’s revolutionary theory of relativity. This past year, students, rabbeim and a few select guests were joined by Dr. Gerald Schroeder, world renowned physicist, modern orthodox Jew and author of Genesis and the Big Bang as well as other well-known books.  

To many, the study of physics would seem extraneous, certainly outside the confines of a curriculum rooted in classical texts and sources. We on the other hand consider it essential to the basic philosophy of Judaism. Its study provides a greater understanding and appreciation of God’s world and through that, the recognition of the wisdom of the system that defines our existence  in that world. The basic tenets of the Torah, the Talmud, and of the entirety of Jewish law, requires a fundamental understanding of how the world works and how we, as humans, fit into the larger system.  What better place to investigate that than where our understanding of reality was so greatly altered and where the most significant studies into the nature of the universe are happening today?

The typical gap year yeshiva program involves intense study of the Torah and Talmud, trips throughout the country, unique chesed opportunities, and strengthening the relationship with Israel. Our unique educational philosophy expands the Beit Midrash experience, introducing new and challenging topics to its curriculum.

In Dubai, Migdal HaTorah crossed new frontiers as the first Yeshiva in history to visit the UAE. We pushed these boundaries even further with our most recent trip to Bahrain. See here to read the Jerusalem Post article about our monumental trip, and how we were welcomed with open arms and excitement. Rabbi Wasserman’s reflection, titled “Reflections on planning the impossible trip to Dubai”, was a featured World spotlight on One Blue World which can be viewed here.

We explored the social and strategic ramifications of the Abraham Accords, getting to know our allies on a first-name basis. 

We engaged in thought provoking and deep discussions with the Emiratis, learning firsthand about Islamic theology and Arabic society.

We marveled at the vastness of human achievement there, from the Burj Khalifa in Dubai to the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. We expanded our horizons by meeting with key figures in Bahrain, and exploring with them the prospects of a complete peace in the Middle East. 

Migdal is located in the heart of a thriving daati leumi community in Modi’in and is closely affiliated with Kehillat Tzeirei Modi'in and other batei knesset throughout the city. Our Yeshiva is one that is closely embedded into the life of our community, and we form an integral Torah center for its members. Students are regularly invited to the homes of local families for Shabbat hospitality throughout the year, ensuring that they feel at home during their year in Israel. The community and its members consider our students part of their families, developing lasting relationships even beyond their time in Migdal.

https://www.migdalhatorah.org/schedule

We believe that a young man's learning in Yeshiva should not uproot the values and Jewish upbringing afforded to him by his parents. Rather it should compliment that base, build off of the foundation laid, and strengthen the relationship one has with their Jewish roots. There is no better way to foster this then inviting parents virtually on a regular basis to join in the learning. Once a month parents prepare sources on a given topic with their sons and then tune in for a live shiur on Zoom from one of the faculty. 

Want to learn more about our last Parent Son Learning? See here for details.

This shared learning experience is both rewarding for parents and eye-opening for students. 

Yeshivat Migdal HaTorah seeks motivated students from diverse backgrounds who are committed to serious Torah learning and desire to become independent learners and thinkers. If you are a mature student who is ready to grow, question, and be challenged while enjoying the beauty and wonder of Israel, then Migdal is for you.

We encourage you to listen to the many shiurim we post online as this is one of the best ways to get a feeling for our learning style. 

Is Migdal right for you? Apply Today! 

In light of the financial challenges caused by the pandemic, we have decided to wave the $100 application fee for this year's applicants. Apply now.

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