(Courtesy of YTH) Interview with Rabbi Yechiel Ben-Ari, menahel of Yeshiva Toras Halacha in KGH:

1. Welcome, Rabbi Ben-Ari. Please tell us a little about your yeshiva, Yeshivas Toras Halacha (YTH).

Thanks, it’s great to be here. With Hashem’s help, the yeshiva opened its doors four years ago after being approached by college students who wanted to get a yeshiva experience while they pursue their education and careers. We noticed that many yeshiva bachurim who return from their year in Eretz Yisrael had the drive to continue building on the ruchniyus they developed there. They were looking for a yeshiva in the tri-state area that caters to their needs and ambitions. Yeshiva Toras Halacha allows these bachurim to maintain a full seder of learning in the morning while still attending college full time. I’m constantly inspired by these talmidim. They are learning how to expertly juggle different priorities and live a well-balanced life.

2. Where is the yeshiva located?

The yeshiva is located in Kew Gardens Hills, just a few blocks from Queens and Touro colleges. Many of the students walk straight from yeshiva to their afternoon classes.

3. What does a typical day at the yeshiva look like?

The morning seder limud delves into gemaras that are developed into practical Halacha sugyas. The two primary goals of the yeshiva’s learning curriculum are to gain a keen understanding of the Gemara and to learn halacha l’maaseh—how to live a Torah-centered life. There is also a daily musar seder as well as regular lectures on topics such as dating and hashkafa.

The magidei shiur, Rabbi Moshe Sokoloff and Rabbi Simcha Hopkovitz, circulate the beis midrash the entire morning seder, helping the chavrusashafs before they give their individual shiurim.

Our two stellar sho’el umayshivim, Reb Eliezer Szrolovits and Reb Yirmi Lederer, learn b’chavrusa with talmidim.

Through the limud the rebbeim build lifelong relationships with the talmidim in this crucial time of their Torah lives.

Many of the melamdim in the yeshiva work in the afternoons and give of their mornings to teach at the yeshiva. They are excellent role models on how to live a life of Torah while excelling in their professional lives.

4. Where do your talmidim come from?

We have a great mix of talmidim from Five Towns, Monsey, Teaneck, Passaic and right here in Kew Gardens Hills. A number of talmidim live at home while others stay in an apartment near the yeshiva.

5. What are you learning this coming zman?

The yeshiva begins its zman on Monday, August 27. We will be journeying into the second perek of brachos aliba dhilchisa. Sugyas being covered this zman will include מצוות צריכות כוונה ,הלכות קריאת שמע and דיבור בתוך התפילה, among others.

6. Are there any special programs like guest lecturers or shabbatons?

Yes. Guest lecturers have included Rabbi Finkelman, mashgiach ruchani of Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim, as well as Rabbi Moshe Schwerd, a renowned magid shiur, who has spoken to us about how to balance a frum life in the working world. We typically have one guest lecturer per month who comes to inspire the talmidim.

Thursday night mishmar with the community is a staple many talmidim take advantage of. We have learned sefarim on shmiras einayim and the hashkafa behind Shabbos. The talmidim enjoy the ruchniyus and gashmiyus provided.

7. We heard the yeshiva had a busy summer despite being on bein hazmanim?

That’s right. As the yeshiva finished its spring semester learning the seventh perek of brachos, delving into sugyas of Birchas Hamazon and Zimun, plans were underway for the summer evening reception at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Ari Walfish. At the event, Dr. Walfish began by expressing his hakaras hatov for this makom Torah geared toward the future working professionals. “YTH affords the college-aged men of our community a place to build a solid Torah foundation for their working lives.”

8. What did the alumni and other parents have to say about the yeshiva?

Dr. David Muller, from Teaneck, expressed how two of his sons have completely opposite personalities and yet both love the yeshiva. It must be, he said, that the yeshiva gives each talmid what they need to grow. One of doctor Muller’s son’s is an alumni and another is currently in the yeshiva.

Additionally, YTH alum Zeke Rosenblatt from Monsey represented the student and alumni body applauding the yeshiva and the rebbeim for enhancing everyone’s lives, including the lives of himself, his wife and daughter.

9. What makes YTH so unique?

I feel that this type of yeshiva structure is key in developing the next generation of klal Yisrael. The limudim aliba d’hilchisa enhance every aspect of the talmidim and alumni’s lives.

10. This sounds great. How would a prospective talmid get more information and apply?

I am currently interviewing talmidim for this coming zman. Please call or text me at 917-600-2486 to arrange an appointment.

Even more information and ways to partner with the yeshiva can be found at www.YeshivaTorasHalacha.org.