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Ohr Somayach (also Or Samayach or Ohr Somayach International) was founded in 1970. It is a yeshiva based in Jerusalem, Israel, catering mostly to young Jewish men, usually of college age, who already are interested in learning about Judaism. It is known as a "baal teshuva" yeshiva since it caters for Jews with little or no background in Judaism. These Jews have an interest in studying more about Judaism's classic religious texts such as the Talmud and responsa. The Yeshiva also prides itself on its very strong and respected advanced programs.

Ohr Somayach is one of the most important yeshivas in the non-Hasidic world. It is specifically designed to meet the needs of the many baal teshuvas ("returnees" [to Judaism]) who are recruited either locally or from across the world where the yeshiva has established several branches, such as in the United States, Canada, South Africa, United Kingdom, Australia, Ukraine and Russia.

Programs

J.L.E. - Jewish Learning Exchange - Summer program includes tours of Israel and lectures
The Shoresh Program: Introduction to Talmud and Jewish thought
The Intermediate and Mechina Program: Beginner to Intermediate Talmud learning
The Beis Midrash Program: Advanced learning
Derech: One or two year post-high-school program
The Center Program: Intensive learning for college graduates (one or two year program)
Ohr LaGola: Smicha program
Yesod: Meaning foundations - a beginners program.

History

The need for this kind of yeshiva was conceived by Rabbi Noah Weinberg, among others, in the 1960s. The Diaspora Yeshiva began in 1964, the first of the "Baal-Teshuva" Yeshivos. Subsequently, a number of key Yeshivas opened its doors accepting these "returnees" to Judaism. "Shema Yisrael" was one of these. It was founded by Rabbi Noah Weinberg, who invited Rabbis Weinbach and Schiller to join him. Later on, Rabbi Noah Weinberg left to found Aish HaTorah. Shema Yisroel changed its name to Ohr Somayach and today has a large faculty and has produced hundreds of graduates.

The yeshiva is headed by its two other co-founders Rabbi Mendel Weinbach and Rabbi Nota Schiller.

Notable Faculty

Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb is a former professor of analytical philosophy at Johns Hopkins University.
Rabbi Berel Wein is known for his many books and audio tapes on Jewish History.
Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky is famous in English-speaking Haredi circles for his speeches, which include kosher stand-up comedy.
Rabbi Dovid Kaplan is a world renowned outreach expert. He authored Impact and The Kiruv Files.

References

M. Herbert Danzger, Returning to Tradition.

External links

Ohr Somayach home page

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 Ohr Somayach is one of the most important [[yeshiva]]s in the non-[[Hasidic Judaism|Hasidic]] world. It is specifically designed to meet the needs of the many [[baal teshuva]]s ("returnees" [to Judaism]) who are recruited either locally or from across the world where the yeshiva has established several branches, such as in the [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[South Africa]], [[United Kingdom]], [[Australia]], [[Ukraine]] and [[Russia]].
-==Positions==
-Co-founder and Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Mendel Weinbach has stated his positions on many issues.
-He has compared intermarriage and assimilation to "'do-it-yourself genocide' where more than six million are trying to achieve a final solution of vanishing into the family of nations, rather than serve as a model for them."[http://ohr.edu/yhiy/article.php/1501]
-Rabbi Weinbach claimed that in answer to praying a a righteous rabbi's grave, black chickens "had miraculously turned white." [http://ohr.edu/yhiy/article.php/3717]
-Rabbi Weinbach claimed that Rabbi Shmuel Albaz enjoyed a "miraculous crossing of the sea from Jaffa to Constantinople on a mat." [http://ohr.edu/yhiy/article.php/3644]
 ==Programs==