What Makes a Community Kolel Thrive

This month of learning is sponsored by our dear friends Matt and Mollie Landes of Riverdale for the neshama of Dovid Yehonatan ben Yitzchak Yehuda.

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Rabbi Aaron Kotler, president of the Beth Medrash Govoha and a grandson of Rav Aharon Kotler, about the beginnings of the American yeshiva world.

In this episode we discuss:

• What is the difference between “Modern Orthodox” and “American yeshivish”?
• What does it mean to truly learn Torah lishmah?
• Why did Lakewood become the center of the yeshiva world over New York City?

Tune in for a conversation about how the entire Jewish community can build on the successes of the yeshiva world. 

Interview begins at 28:07.

Rabbi Aaron Kotler is the president of the Beth Medrash Govoha, also known as the Lakewood Yeshiva. As Lakewood has grown, Rabbi Kotler has been active in public policy matters, serving on various boards devoted to the expansion of regional health care, transportation, housing, education, and economic development. He is the son of Rav Shneur Kotler zt”l and grandson of Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l.

References:

“Bret Stephens' State of World Jewry Address” 

“A Moving Appeal for Kosher Food for Jewish Soldiers in the Polish Army With the Signature of Rabbi Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin”

World of the Yeshiva: An Intimate Portrait of Orthodox Jewry by William B. Helmreich

Field of Dreams (1989)

The Talmud

“Overklalified” by Avigdor Goldberger

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