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Derech Etz Chaim

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Derech Etz Chaim (DEC) is a post-high school religious yeshiva located in Har Nof, West Jerusalem. It was designed for students to spend a year or more studying Torah after completing their high school studies and before embarking to university studies. Studies focus primarily on the study of Talmud, and are intended to give students the ability and confidence to carry on learning Torah independently after leaving DEC.[1]

History

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DEC was founded in 1998 by Rav Aharon Katz, who received semicha (rabbinic ordination) from both R' Yaakov Weinberg and R' Moshe Halberstam. DEC is affiliated with the Jewish Agency’s MASA Program [2]

Educational philosophy

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A stated goal is to allow students to build a strong foundation in Judaism before beginning university studies.

Daily Schedule

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The daily schedule is divided into three major study segments: Morning seder is devoted to Iyun [in depth study] of Talmud, followed by a lecture. The afternoon is devoted to Bikiyus [basic understanding of text] including group review and with the expectation of covering large amounts of material. Evenings are open study as per the students choice.[3]

Classes are offered on a variety of subjects including Chumash, Halacha, Machshava, Parshat Hashavua, Sefer Hachinuch, and Mussar.

Student life

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The DEC facility is a four-story villa containing the dormitory, dining room, weight room, lounge areas, Beit Medrash and Shiur rooms. Each floor has views overlooking the Jerusalem Forest.[4] Shabbos and Yom Tov meals take place in Yeshiva twice a month. DEC participates annually in the American Flag Football League in Israel each fall/winter. In 2009, Derech Etz Chaim became the Flag Football Champions of the AFI league.[5][6]

During the year program the school provides a number of trips around Israel.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Derech Etz Chaim homepage
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ "Derech Etz Chaim website - Curriculum". Archived from the original on 9 April 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
  4. ^ "Derech Etz Chaim website - Campus". Archived from the original on 9 April 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
  5. ^ Pack, Simon (11 March 2009). "DEC beats Lobos for Holyland Bowl title". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  6. ^ Sack, Hyman (2 November 2009). "AFI kicks off 20th season". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 27 January 2010.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Derech Etz Chaim website - Tiyulim". Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2011.