{"id":32104,"date":"2025-12-17T08:41:34","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T08:41:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jewishaction.com\/?p=32104"},"modified":"2025-12-16T20:44:36","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T20:44:36","slug":"ben-yeshiva-pathway-of-aliyah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jewishaction.com\/books\/reviews\/ben-yeshiva-pathway-of-aliyah\/","title":{"rendered":"Ben Yeshiva: Pathway of Aliyah"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

By Rabbi Ahron\u00a0Lopiansky<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Eshel Publications<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2024<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

388 pages<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Reviewed by Rabbi Yosef Gavriel\u00a0Bechhofer<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Baruch\u00a0Hashem,\u00a0<\/span>the yeshiva\u00a0population\u00a0has grown immensely, and the ability of\u00a0<\/span><\/i>rebbeim<\/span>\u00a0to relate personally to each of their\u00a0<\/span><\/i>talmidim\u00a0<\/span>is strained. Consequently, many\u00a0<\/span><\/i>talmidim<\/span>\u00a0unfortunately do not have a close relationship with a\u00a0<\/span><\/i>rebbi<\/span>. Furthermore, even\u00a0<\/span><\/i>bachurim<\/span>\u00a0who have a close relationship with their\u00a0<\/span><\/i>rebbeim<\/span>\u00a0may feel hesitant or uncomfortable discussing certain topics. In any case, hopefully this\u00a0<\/span><\/i>sefer<\/span>\u00a0will serve as a springboard for discussing vital issues with\u00a0<\/span><\/i>rebbeim<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(Preface to\u00a0<\/span>Ben Yeshiva: Pathway of Aliyah<\/span><\/i>, p. xxix)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Among Rabbi Ahron\u00a0Lopiansky\u2019s\u00a0several explanations for why he has written\u00a0<\/span>Ben Yeshiva: Pathway of Aliyah<\/span><\/i>\u2014a book on matters that were once conveyed verbally in direct interactions between\u00a0<\/span>rebbeim<\/span><\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>talmidim<\/span><\/i>\u2014this seems the most significant. In many cases, the issue stems from yeshivahs becoming increasingly large and impersonal. Yet even among smaller yeshivahs, this phenomenon is prevalent. I once taught in a yeshivah high school where an administrator reminded me to bear in mind that the yeshivah was built on a philosophy emphasizing distance between\u00a0<\/span>rebbeim\u00a0<\/span><\/i>and\u00a0<\/span>talmidim<\/span><\/i>. Other institutions are concerned about the propriety of close relationships between\u00a0<\/span>rebbeim<\/span><\/i> and students\u2014some of which have indeed been found to cross appropriate boundaries while others were simply misunderstood or misconstrued. Shabbos meals or\u00a0<\/span>Shabbatonim<\/span><\/i>\u00a0with a\u00a0<\/span>rebbi<\/span><\/i>, which in the past were integral and even essential components of the yeshivah\u2019s educational program, are often frowned upon or no longer allowed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rabbi\u00a0Lopiansky,\u00a0<\/span>rosh\u00a0yeshivah\u00a0<\/span><\/i>of the Yeshiva of Greater Washington and the author of numerous scholarly works in Hebrew and English, opens the <\/span>sefer<\/span><\/i>\u00a0with a profound reflection on the differences between prior generations (mine included) and the current one. In the not-so-distant-past, a young man inclined toward dedicating himself to Torah growth often found himself struggling against a milieu\u2014and even a community\u2014that, though observant, was not particularly sympathetic to his aspirations. While yeshivah high school and even a year in Israel had become\u00a0<\/span>de rigueur<\/span><\/i>, a longer-term commitment to Torah study was\u00a0frequently\u00a0met with ambivalence, if not outright discouragement, by parents and others. To commit to serious growth in Torah required the young man to be, in Rabbi\u00a0Lopiansky\u2019s\u00a0terms,\u00a0<\/span>omed\u00a0al\u00a0da\u2019ato<\/span><\/i>\u2014to develop a unique self-awareness and independent identity that would serve as the foundation for his holistic pursuit of self-development in Torah. Today, when the dedication of several or even many years toward Torah growth is self-understood or at least tolerated in much broader circles, that dedication may become rote and lack the self-awareness and independent identity that genuine struggle requires. Rabbi\u00a0Lopiansky\u2019s\u00a0first chapters are meant to help the student realize that his years in yeshivah are a journey of self-discovery and development of self.<\/span>1<\/sup><\/span>\u00a0The place\u2014the yeshivah\u2014and its unique environment are no less an essential part of this journey than the Torah studied\u00a0therein.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After clarifying that point, the author\u00a0proceeds\u00a0to spend several chapters dealing with the actual learning that takes place within the yeshivah. The book thoroughly examines the nuances of a classic Lithuanian Talmud-focused yeshivah experience, including\u00a0<\/span>b\u2019iyun<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(in-depth learning) and\u00a0<\/span>bekiyus<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(learning to\u00a0acquire\u00a0broader knowledge), learning\u00a0<\/span>b\u2019chavrusa\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(with a study partner), the lost art of writing and the even rarer phenomenon of testing. The amount of time and effort to be invested in other areas of Torah, such as\u00a0halachah,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Chumash and\u00a0<\/span>musar<\/span><\/i>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>is considered as well. Separate sections on different forms of public speaking cover the very distinct skills of delivering a \u201c<\/span>shtickel\u00a0Torah<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>versus a \u201c<\/span>devar\u00a0Torah<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rabbi\u00a0Lopianksy\u00a0. . . does not shy away from deftly addressing behaviors such as smoking and drinking as well.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The book then moves on to areas that are less\u00a0frequently\u00a0addressed in the yeshivah world\u2014and in Orthodox circles in general: \u201cBuilding an Emotional Connection with Hashem,\u201d \u201c<\/span>Tefillah<\/span><\/i>\u201d and \u201c<\/span>Regesh<\/span><\/i> and Inspiration.\u201d Observant Jews of all ages\u2014especially if they are not from communities where emotional connectedness is more central to religious life\u2014must grapple with questions about the appropriate measure of intensity in these areas of our\u00a0<\/span>avodas Hashem<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here is a small example of one of the many fundamental points made in these chapters:\u00a0<\/span>When we sit down to sing or stand up to dance to the words of a\u00a0<\/span><\/i>niggun<\/span>, we need to ask ourselves, \u201cWhat do the words mean to me? Does this tune fit the message of the words?<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>Or, if it is a\u00a0<\/span><\/i>niggun<\/span>\u00a0without words, \u201cWhat are my emotions expressing? Is the tune bringing out a deeper sense of things, or is it simply exciting the body?\u201d<\/span><\/i>2<\/sup><\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Part II, \u201cBuilding Upwards,\u201d Rabbi\u00a0Lopiansky\u00a0poses a question on\u00a0Ramchal\u2019s\u00a0statement in the\u00a0<\/span>Mesillas\u00a0Yesharim\u00a0<\/span><\/i>that \u201cman was created for the sole purpose of being \u2018<\/span>misaneig<\/span><\/i>\u2019\u2014receiving pleasure\u2014from Hashem\u201d<\/span>3<\/sup><\/span>: \u201cWhy is this man\u2019s core mission? Why is it not \u2018to serve Hashem\u2019 or \u2018to make the world a better place?\u2019\u201d<\/span>4<\/sup><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The author must begin by clarifying which types of pleasure\u00a0Ramchal\u00a0did\u00a0<\/span>not\u00a0<\/span><\/i>mean to be encompassed in his statement. In a later chapter, he provides a nuanced analysis of how the pleasure of eating fits into\u00a0<\/span>avodas\u00a0Hashem<\/span><\/i>.<\/span>5<\/sup><\/span>\u00a0It is to Rabbi\u00a0Lopiansky\u2019s\u00a0credit that he does not shy away from deftly addressing behaviors such as smoking and drinking as well. This then leads into the greatest challenge in the inappropriate pursuit of pleasure that confronts the contemporary\u00a0<\/span>yeshivah bachur<\/span><\/i>: that of improper thoughts and behavior. The author understands the generation. After elaborating on our temptations and tests, he writes:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This means that\u00a0<\/span><\/i>talmidim<\/span>\u00a0today\u00a0have\u00a0a far more\u00a0difficult time\u00a0in this area than\u00a0<\/span><\/i>bachurim<\/span>\u00a0of\u00a0previous\u00a0generations.<\/span><\/i>6<\/sup><\/span><\/i> The upshot of this reality is that instead of feeling guilty every time we fail, we should feel proud of every success that we have!<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a brief chapter dealing with \u201cAddictive Behavior and Technology,\u201d Rabbi\u00a0Lopiansky\u00a0concludes with a surprising (though to me, gratifying) note of caution against following professional sports, because the investment of time, mental energy and emotion can hinder one from succeeding as a\u00a0<\/span>ben aliyah<\/span><\/i>.<\/span>7<\/sup><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The book then turns to the character traits essential for achieving greatness, acknowledging the individualized nature of that pursuit, and concludes fittingly with the pursuit of\u00a0<\/span>harbatzas\u00a0Torah\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(teaching and\u00a0disseminating\u00a0Torah) as a representative of Hashem and His Torah.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The entire work is full of classic references, with the major ones translated and the ancillary ones left in the original Hebrew. Most significantly, the principles are illustrated with meaningful vignettes and anecdotes, many drawn from the illustrious author\u2019s rich treasure trove of personal encounters and experiences, making for a truly engaging masterpiece.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Who is the book\u2019s audience? The work is suitable even for a slightly precocious young man entering high school. It is certainly\u00a0appropriate for\u00a0older high school students, and of course, its intended readers are\u00a0<\/span>talmidim<\/span><\/i>\u00a0embarking on post\u2013high school yeshivah learning. However, adults\u2014including older adults\u2014will gain much from the profound thoughts and ideas that\u00a0emerge\u00a0from\u00a0<\/span>Ben Yeshiva<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0Ultimately,\u00a0<\/span>Ben\u00a0Yeshiva<\/span><\/i>\u00a0serves as a timeless guide for spiritual growth and personal refinement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I would like to\u00a0end with\u00a0a challenge. Some years ago, I reviewed in these pages the wonderful book for men navigating the working world,\u00a0<\/span>Making It Work: A Practical Guide to Halacha in the Workplace<\/span><\/i>\u00a0by Rabbi Ari Wasserman. I noted that it would be of great benefit for the Jewish people to\u00a0possess\u00a0a similar book geared toward women in the workplace. Rabbi Wasserman rose to the challenge and produced, together with his wife, Miryam Wasserman, the equally wonderful companion volume,\u00a0<\/span>Making It All Work: Women Surviving and Thriving at Work<\/span><\/i>. Rabbi\u00a0Lopiansky\u00a0serves as the rabbinical consultant for many girls\u2019 schools. I look forward to his writing (perhaps with\u00a0a suitable co-author) the companion volume to\u00a0<\/span>Ben Yeshiva<\/span><\/i>, a work of guidance for\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span>Bas\u00a0Yisrael.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Notes<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. There is no good term in English to describe the process that these yearsrepresent. There is, however, a term for it in German, <\/span>Bildung<\/span><\/i>. \u201c<\/span>Bildung<\/span><\/i>\u00a0is a German word for education, cultivation, personal formation and character, emotional and moral development, and maturation combined. Definitions abound, and we will never be done with exploring and defining them,\u201d\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.nordicbildung.org\/lexicon\/what-is-bildung\/<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. This is an issue that requires a separate analysis. Many years ago, a popular Orthodox Jewish singer took the<\/span>niggun<\/span><\/i>\u00a0of a lewd (but catchy) German disco\/rock song, \u201cGenghis Khan,\u201d and put Yiddish lyrics to the tune. When the song was played at weddings, the crowd would often break from the standard \u201cYeshivish\u00a0shuffle\u201d circle dancing into a more complex\u00a0line\u00a0dance. To me, this harks back to the origins of the tune and suggests that it is more about\u00a0exciting the body\u00a0than awakening the soul. I was once at a wedding where Rabbi Aharon Schechter,\u00a0<\/span>zt\u201dl<\/span><\/i>, the<\/span>\u00a0rosh\u00a0yeshivah<\/span><\/i>\u00a0of\u00a0Mesivta\u00a0Rabbeinu\u00a0Chaim Berlin, was dancing. When he danced at a wedding, an ethereal look would suffuse his face, and at that moment, the band happened to be playing this tune. I pointed out to a\u00a0<\/span>talmid<\/span><\/i>\u00a0of mine standing next to me the jarring dissonance between the sound of the music and the look on the\u00a0<\/span>rosh\u00a0yeshivah\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/i>face.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. One could quibble over translating \u201c<\/span>al Hashem<\/span><\/i>\u201d as \u201cfrom Hashem\u201d rather than \u201cupon [his relationship with] Hashem,\u201d but that is not germane to our discussion.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. In a later chapter, the author deals briefly with the all-important concept of<\/span>lishmah\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(for its own sake). It would seem apropos to quote the well-known Rabbi Avraham min\u00a0Hahar\u00a0and the\u00a0<\/span>Eglei\u00a0Tal<\/span><\/i>\u00a0who explain that to learn Torah (and to do\u00a0<\/span>mitzvos<\/span><\/i>)\u00a0<\/span>lishmah<\/span><\/i>\u00a0means to enjoy the learning and performance and find pleasure in them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. One might have hoped for some reference to the ever-expanding set of occasions where kugel and\/or cholent have become essential components of the event. At some point, someone will hopefully address this form of indulgence, which seems to have become excessive\u2014and is unhealthy.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Of course, while this work is addressed to<\/span>bachurim<\/span><\/i>, this statement applies to men of all ages.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

7. See the exchange between Rabbi Mayer Schiller and me on spectator sports and<\/span>avodas\u00a0Hashem<\/span><\/i>\u00a0in the \u201cLetters to the Editor\u201d section of\u00a0<\/span>The Torah U-Madda Journal<\/span><\/i>, vol. 7 (1997).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rabbi Yosef Gavriel\u00a0Bechhofer, a frequent contributor to\u00a0Jewish Action, is a\u00a0<\/span><\/i>rav<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/i>rebbi\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/i>dayan<\/span>.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“. . .\u00a0talmidim\u00a0today\u00a0have\u00a0a far more\u00a0difficult time\u00a0in this area than\u00a0bachurim\u00a0of\u00a0previous\u00a0generations.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":325,"featured_media":32195,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[76,75,90],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32104","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-jewish-thought","category-reviews","issues-winter-2025-5786"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBen Yeshiva: Pathway of Aliyah - Jewish Action<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"". . .\u00a0talmidim\u00a0today\u00a0have\u00a0a far more\u00a0difficult time\u00a0in this area than\u00a0bachurim\u00a0of\u00a0previous\u00a0generations."\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/jewishaction.com\/books\/reviews\/ben-yeshiva-pathway-of-aliyah\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Ben Yeshiva: Pathway of Aliyah - 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