MISSION

MISSION

I. To provide our students with a solid foundation in the biblical, post-biblical and rabbinic literature in the original languages. The training of rabbinic scholars is our primary objective, as the knowledge and perspective the student acquires will serve as a solid foundation for his future, regardless of the profession he chooses or his personal goals. While many of our graduates will either go on to teach these same subjects at the elementary, secondary and post-secondary levels, or enter the Orthodox rabbinate or even choose a secular occupation, they will be well prepared academically to enter any field of their choosing or to continue advanced rabbinical studies. As scholars, many will serve among the lay leadership as they engage in secular occupations. Students are also imbued with a commitment to Jewish social and pastoral service, based on the Mishnaic dictum of Hillel the Elder: “What is hateful unto you do not unto your neighbor; this is the entire Torah, all the rest is commentary.”

II. To train students in the Chabad1 methods of avodas ha-tefilah and tikun ha-middos, and to provide them with a firm background in Chabad Chassidic literature and the Chabad Chassidic contribution to the broader study of Jewish mysticism, especially the Lurianic and Cordoverian Schools of thought.

III. Ultimately, as enunciated by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, to educate the general Jewish community, formally and informally, about Judaism and its precepts. In past years, even non-observant Jews often could boast a classical Jewish education, at least through the Cheder or Talmud Torah level. Today, however, many Jews are unable to read the Hebrew alphabet, much less understand the translation of simple words and liturgical passages. To this end, the Yeshiva provides outreach programs, as well as formal and informal courses for non-matriculated students. We provide access to rabbinic and Talmudic scholarship for adult students who lack a background in Hebraic subjects. Additionally, our rabbinical students conduct informal programs to educate the local community about the tenets of classical Judaism and Chassidism.

The outreach mission varies by the constituencies served. For the Orthodox community, this outreach effort means education in the tenets of Chassidism and the study of mystical texts of the Chabad School. For the non-observant, the emphasis is on the precepts of Judaism, taught in an accepting and non-judgmental manner. These efforts (which are discussed throughout the Self-Study) include, but are not limited to, classes with local ba’alei batim in the yeshiva, community lectures, and holiday visitations. Perhaps the greatest direct impact on the community is made by the weekly Friday afternoon mivtzoyim visits to local Jewish businessmen and professionals. These outreach activities provide invaluable practical training for the rabbinical students. Their objective is similar to for-credit Practicum and Internship Programs offered by universities around the country.

Additionally, it has been a traditional part of our operation to provide access to programs of rabbinic study for adult students who lack a background in Hebrew subjects. To this end, an affiliate, Yeshiva Torah Ohr, opened in 2008 in North Miami Beach. While not an arm of Yeshiva Gedolah, both are under the umbrella of Friends of Lubavitch of Florida, and engage in many joint projects. This program is dedicated to students who lack a strong background in yeshiva studies. Students who succeed at Yeshiva Torah Ohr can then apply for admission to the Yeshiva Gedolah.

The Yeshiva Gedolah was charged by the Lubavitcher Rebbe with fulfilling these missions not only for the benefit of its students, but also for the wider Jewish community. The Yeshiva, thereby, admits students from around the world, focusing on the Southeastern United States, Caribbean and South America, and directs its public education and outreach programs to the residents of these areas.

For those unfamiliar with yeshiva study, it should be reiterated that, although any yeshiva’s mission is to train rabbinic scholars, it is not necessarily the primary goal to produce practicing clerics. Much like the classical curriculum of the great European universities, a rabbinical curriculum of Talmud, Traditional Commentaries and Legal Codes is considered to be sine-qua-non for every educated Jew. Until recent times, an educated Jew meant one who was versed in the classical literary tradition of Judaism. Thus, our emphasis is on the training of scholars, not clergy.

Because of the unique role of the Lubavitch Yeshiva in training students to be not only rabbinic scholars, but practitioners of the tenets of Chabad chassidism, there is necessarily a strong connection between our mission and curriculum. The founder of our parent institution, Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim-Lubavitch, established the curriculum and methodology for the Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Miami. Modeling his program after the Lithuanian yeshiva curriculum of the late 19th century, Rabbi Sholom Dov Ber Schneersohn (1860-1920) instituted that the study of Chassidic thought and avodah should be part of the rabbinical curriculum, especially for adherents of Chabad Chassidism. Accordingly, the study of Chassidic literature represents approximately one third of the curriculum. The validity of this connection between mission and curriculum is a qualitative one, which does not readily lend itself to empirical testing. However, the fact that many of our graduates engage in public service, educational pursuits, and clerical occupations tends to indicate that there is an association between curriculum and mission, but the administration is unable to measure it in standardized testing.

It was against this backdrop of Talmudic scholarship that Rabbi Sholom Dov Ber Schneerson founded the Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva system. The study of Talmud (Gemorah), the Responsa of leading jurists (Poskim) and Bible (i.e., Pentateuch, Prophets and Scriptures) were the core of his system, with two-thirds of each weekday devoted to these subjects (Nigleh in Chabad terminology). The remaining third of the study day was devoted to the study of Chabad Chassidic thought. On the Sabbath, the study system is reversed: two-thirds Chassidic texts, one-third Nigleh.

Rabbi Schneersohn established this schedule and other guiding texts for the Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva, especially in his Kuntres Eitz HaChayim (1904), which is considered the guiding manuscript for study in all Lubavitch yeshivas. It also describes the mission of the Tomchei Tmimim network of schools. Inasmuch as our yeshiva is part of this network, it is necessarily the background upon which our mission is formulated. This manuscript has been translated into English, and is available for review online at: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/144473/jewish/The-Tree-of-Life-Kuntres-Eitz-HaChayim.htm