The revival of a tradition dating back to Talmudic times when farmers, artisans and men in all walks of life went for a month-long stay in a yeshiva for Talmudic studies, has been inaugurated by Rabbi Joseph Kahaneman of the Poheshiva Yeshiva in Bnei B’rak who introduced a two-week course of study in the Yeshiva during the current Hebrew month of Av.
Several hundred people from various parts of Israel including Safad and Beersheba as well as soldiers who received special leave to attend the course–called by its ancient name “Yarhe Kalah”–have arrived in Bnei B’rak.
On the first day of the course, many began queuing up waiting to receive their study assignments. The opening lecture was given by Rabbi Kahaneman himself after which some 700 persons divided into small groups for more intensive study. Among the participants are many former yeshiva students seeking to refresh their knowledge.
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