The summer zeman of תשפ״ו officially began on Sunday, the second of Iyar, with yeshivos and kollelim across the Torah world reopening their doors. Some yeshivos, including Mir and Tifrach, had already resumed learning at the end of last week, as bochurim returned refreshed after a month of bein hazmanim and the Pesach Yom Tov, observed this year in the shadow of the war with Iran.
This year’s opening comes under the weight of ongoing gezeiros affecting the עולם התורה, most notably cuts to kollelim funding. Compounding the strain is the historically low dollar exchange rate, which directly impacts American donations—the financial backbone of many Torah institutions.
Despite these pressures, the קול התורה continues to expand. Across the yeshiva world, the standard masechtos being learned follow the established סדרי הלימוד of Chevron—Bava Kamma—and Ponovezh—Bava Basra. Notably, bulletin boards in Modiin Illit are filled with announcements from dozens of kollelim accepting new avreichim for the upcoming zeman, reflecting continued growth—kein yirbu.
At Kollel “Siach Yitzchak,” under the leadership of Rav Yeshaya Levinstein, a new chaburas halacha has opened in its main Bnei Brak branch on Donolo Street, headed by Rav Vakshtok, formerly a rosh chaburah in Kollel Gertler. Meanwhile, Kollel “Ohel Yiska” in Petach Tikvah, led by Rav Moshe Pinkus and Rav Daniel Freiman, will temporarily relocate to the Chevra Chevron shul in Ganei Hadar due to renovations, where they will focus on the inyanim of gezeilah.
Tragedy in Netanya Casts Shadow Over Zeman Opening
In Yeshivas Tushia–Tifrach, the zeman began as early as Wednesday under a heavy cloud, following the devastating loss of two bochurim. Yissachar Dov Spiegel ז״ל drowned at the Netanya beach on Erev Shabbos, and his brother, Avraham Yeshaya Spiegel ז״ל, a bochur in shiur alef, was missing for ten days before being found just as the zeman began.
Even amid the tragedy, the yeshiva continues to grow. A major expansion of the beis medrash is underway, including the addition of a new gallery level to accommodate the increasing number of talmidim. The current classrooms are slated to be integrated into the beis medrash, with a new floor to be constructed above them. Construction is being carefully scheduled during bein hazmanim so as not to disrupt the sederim.
At Yeshivas Grodna in Be’er Yaakov, the zeman also opened in mourning following the passing of bochur Yehoshua Raam ז״ל, who drowned during bein hazmanim. The yeshiva is simultaneously preparing for the anticipated return of its rosh yeshiva, Rav Yitzchok ben Nechama Hacker, a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, who had been seriously ill over the winter. A new vehicle has been arranged to assist him in traveling to the yeshiva, and he is expected to deliver a shiur klali in the coming week.
At Yeshivas Rina Shel Torah in Karmiel, headed by Rav Avraham Stewart, the yeshiva has finally returned home after an extended displacement to Bnei Brak during the war, following the closure of its building by Home Front Command. With the easing of restrictions, the yeshiva has now resumed operations at its original location with appropriate protected spaces.
Bochurim from Gur in Ashdod, who had temporarily relocated during the war and were learning in Grodna’s dormitory and local בתי חסידים, have now returned to Chatzor following the ceasefire.
Bava Basra Continues at Ponovezh and Across the Yeshiva World
At Yeshivas Ponovezh, the summer zeman continues the annual cycle of Bava Basra, a uniquely long masechta that spans an entire year of learning. After completing the first half during the winter, the yeshiva will now focus on the second half, dealing with hilchos yerushah and nachalos, learning perek Yesh Nochalin in seder alef and perek Mi Shemeis in seder beis.
Many other yeshivos that follow Ponovezh’s structured learning cycle will also continue with Bava Basra. The widely circulated weekly publication “Oholei HaYeshivos,” which compiles insights and questions from roshei yeshiva, will likewise continue this summer, now focusing on perek Yesh Nochalin.
Demand for admission into Ponovezh’s kibbutz and shiur gimmel has been exceptionally high. Out of more than sixty bochurim tested during the month of Nissan by Rav Yosef Kahaneman, about twenty were accepted.
Due to overcrowding in the yeshiva’s batei medrash, the arrangement introduced during Chanukah will remain in place: bochurim in kibbutz and avreichim will learn in Heichal HaGra”Ch, while the main heichal will be reserved for shiur gimmel and part of shiur alef.
On the physical side, extensive preparations were made during bein hazmanim, including deep cleaning, maintenance, and landscaping throughout the campus. In addition, Ponovezh is continuing its transition to advanced and energy-efficient systems, with solar panels currently being installed to provide sustainable electricity.
Appointments and Changes Across the Torah World
A l’chaim gathering was held marking the appointment of Rav Yisroel Klein as mashgiach in the yeshiva of Rav Moshe Sternbuch in Beit Shemesh. The event was attended by rabbanim and roshei yeshiva. Rav Klein will continue serving in his role at Yeshivas Tiferes HaTalmud. Construction has also begun on a permanent building for the expanding yeshiva in Ramat Beit Shemesh Dalet.
At Yeshivas Knesses Yitzchok in Hadera, a major expansion of the heichal is nearing completion to accommodate the growing number of talmidim, including a newly constructed grand entrance.
Yeshivas Migdal Oz in Givat Ze’ev announced the appointment of Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, son of Rav Elya Boruch Finkel זצ״ל, as a new ram in the yeshiva.
In Yeshiva Ketana Divrei Mordechai in Bnei Brak, it was noted that the rosh yeshiva, Rav Yosef Berman, has begun wearing a new rounded hat in place of his longtime kneitsch.
Sephardic Yeshivos Begin Early with Strengthened Commitment
Following longstanding tradition, Yeshivas Porat Yosef began the summer zeman immediately after Pesach, as instituted by Rav Ezra Attiya זצ״ל. The opening featured a powerful shmuess by Rav Binyamin Finkel of Yeshivas Mir, emphasizing the unique schus of those who continue learning while others are still on break.
Rosh Yeshiva Chacham Moshe Tzadkah also delivered a shmuess, encouraging bochurim to remain steadfast in their commitment. “יכול מראש חודש? ת״ל ביום ההוא… מלמד שלא שינו”—urging them not to deviate from the mesorah of the yeshiva.
Similarly, Yeshivas Kisei Rachamim resumed learning early, following the directive of its late rosh yeshiva Rav Meir Mazuz זצ״ל. The zeman opened with a special gathering marking the first yahrtzeit, where rabbanim spoke about his legacy. The current rosh yeshiva, Rav Tzemach Mazuz, urged talmidim to continue in his brother’s path.
Learning at Kisei Rachamim has now begun perek Hazorek in Maseches Shabbos for bekius, along with hilchos shehiyah and hatmanah, following the successful completion of a comprehensive test on amirah l’akum at the end of the winter zeman.
{Matzav.com}
