Diaspora Yeshiva Toras Yisrael | Mount Zion, Jerusalem
About Diaspora Yeshiva
Standards of Conduct for Students
Standards of Conduct for Students
Introduction
Diaspora Yeshiva Toras Yisrael has always been a place that welcomes Jewish men from all all over the world — also from within Israel — from all backgrounds and levels of observance, to come and learn Torah with us on Mount Zion, Jerusalem, next to the resting place of the righteous kings of Israel—David, Shlomoh (Solomon), and Chizkiyahu (Hezekiah).
This makes for a diverse group of students, often from different cultural and social backgrounds, sometimes even speaking different languages—surely a great opportunity for learning and growth among the students.
To ensure the Yeshiva experience of students and staff alike is positive and enjoyable for everyone, students are required to adhere to the Yeshiva’s Standards of Conduct for Students, which generally revolve around what Rabbi Akiva (Toras Kohanim 4:12) refers to as ‘a great general principle of the Torah.’ That is (Vayikra / Leviticus 19:18), ‘You will love your fellow as yourself.’
This is expected of the Jewish people in general, and how much more from those who are dedicating themselves to learning Torah in such a holy place.
This mitzvah has been interpreted on various levels, all of which apply to the Yeshiva’s Standards of Conduct for Yeshiva Students.
In relation to this mitzvah, Hillel the Elder summarized the Torah as follows:
‘What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. This is the entire Torah—the rest is commentary.’
– Talmud Bavli, Shabbos 31a
Seifer HaChinuch on Vayikra 19:18 explains,
‘…many of the commandments of the Torah depend on it. For a person who loves his fellow as he loves himself will not steal his property, commit adultery with his wife, cheat him financially, abuse him verbally, enter into unfair competition with him, or harm him in any way, etc.’
And similarly, the Ramban says,
‘The Torah means that one should show love towards him [his fellow], i.e., to have respect for his property as if it were your own.’
And furthermore, Chizkuni says,
‘Verse 18 means you should love to give assistance to your fellow.’
As we can see, the levels of interpretation range from prohibitions related to negative acts to injunctions to do positive acts, of which the Torah, both Written and Oral address, since the Torah is generally about loving G-d and fellow.
Additionally, it was the vision of the founder of Diaspora Yeshiva Torash Yisrael, the Rebbe Z”l, Rabbi Mordechai Goldstein, that,
“…[our students] will be able to be an example — a moral example — for the whole world, to keep morality, justice, love, care, that the world is looking for, that the world is searching for the Jewish nation, for the Jewish state, to show them in the world. . . . and we can stand without blemish, with morality, and justice, and care, and be a nation that’s different, and the nation that we’re supposed to be . . . The Diaspora Yeshiva is the most serious institution that can be, and we want to play that role.”
– The Rebbe, Rabbi Mordechai Goldstein, Z”l
Founder of Diaspora Yeshiva Toras Yisrael
“Father of the Teshuva Movement”
With the above in mind, therefore, the following Standards should go without saying.
Standards of Conduct
To become and remain a student of Diaspora Yeshiva Toras Yisrael, one must commit the following Standards, and acknowledge that failing to abide by the Standards would, chas v’shalom (may it never be), result in their expulsion from the Yeshiva.
1. ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION. Students must be present in general, with limited, approved exceptions, for davening (praying) with the Yeshiva and for the classes associated with the program in which the students are enrolled. Students should continually strive to learn and grow in their daily prayers and learning throughout the duration of their stay with us on Mount Zion. Classes may not be missed without permission from the teacher. Excessive absence from Yeshiva activities without approval will result in a warning to the student followed by expulsion from the Yeshiva if appropriate correction is not promptly made following the warning.
2. RESPECT FOR RABBIS, STAFF, AND STUDENTS. Students will treat their fellow in general — whether Rabbi, staff-member, or student — with due respect and consideration, with patience and kindness, with grace and gentleness, and these also in the face of disagreements, should they arise, chas v’shalom. If grievances do arise, the student should first address the matter privately with the party involved with the above in mind, and never with anger or disrespectful language, chas v’shalom. If the student cannot resolve the grievance in this way on their own, they may ask the Mashgiach to mediate, and should generally submit to the mediation provided. If necessary, the matter may be escalated to the Rosh Yeshiva. Aggressive behavior towards any person or creature, including verbal, whether in the Yeshiva, on Mount Zion, or otherwise, may chas v’shalom result in expulsion from the Yeshiva, at least.
3. USE OF SHARED DORM ROOMS. It is of great importance that the principle of loving your fellow as yourself be applied not only in the study halls with Rabbis and students but also in the dorm rooms shared by the students. Specifically, students are required to keep the spaces assigned to them and their belongings clean and tidy, free of foul smells, and quiet in general. The latter is especially important when roommates are trying to sleep, whether they are taking a nap during free time after lunch or sleeping at night. Students must keep their clothing and bodies clean in general, and smoking is forbidden inside all Yeshiva facilities, as well as in view of the public, Mount Zion and the Tomb of King David being a place that receives many visitors every year, Jewish and otherwise. Additionally, all relations forbidden by the Torah are forbidden at the Yeshiva. It is forbidden for students to bring women into the Yeshiva dorms at any time, and viewing pornographic materials, online or otherwise, is also forbidden.
4. RESPECT FOR YESHIVA AND STUDENT PROPERTY. Students of the Yeshiva will take care not to damage Yeshiva property, including the physical buildings, grounds, rooms, furniture, as well as Yeshiva materials used by students, such as sefarim (books). A single occurrence of intentional vandalism or theft may result in immediate expulsion from the Yeshiva, chas v’shalom.
5. WISE USE OF FREE TIME. Student should endeavor to use their free time wisely for those things which are constructive for their health, wellbeing, and learning, such as sleeping enough at night, eating regular meals in healthy amounts, getting regular exercise, be it on the Mount Zion Sports Pavilion or otherwise, and keeping the consumption of alcohol in general to a reasonable level, at appropriate times, and without becoming drunk or hungover in general. Drugs may not be used by students except for approved medical reasons, of which the Rosh Yeshiva should be made aware of in advance of the student’s stay with us.
6. SHABBOS OBSERVANCE. Students should endeavor to learn and apply the halachos (ways) of Shabbos immediately upon their arrival and throughout their stay at the Yeshiva. Intentional desecration of Shabbos, as with engaging in avodah zarah (idolatry) in general, would result in immediate expulsion from the Yeshiva, chas v’shalom.
7. IN GENERAL. Students of Diaspora Yeshiva Toras Yisrael will refrain from doing to others what is hateful to them, including any behavior which disturbs the peace of the Rabbis and students, or disrupts their teaching and learning, and should generally endeavor to help the Rabbis and the students alike to make Mount Zion, Jerusalem a sweet experience for all as opportunities are inevitably presented.