# Beth midrash

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Jewish study hall located in a synagogue, yeshiva, kollel or other building

This article is about Jewish study halls. For Orthodox Jewish undergraduate schools, see [Yeshiva gedolah](/source/Yeshiva_gedolah).

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A typical Beth Midrash, [Yeshivas Ner Yisroel](/source/Yeshivas_Ner_Yisroel), Baltimore

*Zal*, [Toras Emes](/source/Tomchei_Tmimim) Yeshiva, Jerusalem

Beth Midrash – [*Machon HaGavoah LeTorah*](https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%9F_%D7%94%D7%92%D7%91%D7%95%D7%94_%D7%9C%D7%AA%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%94), [Bar-Ilan University](/source/Bar-Ilan_University)

A ***beth midrash*** ([Hebrew](/source/Hebrew_language): בית מדרש, "house of learning"; pl.: *batei midrash*), also ***beis medrash***, ***bais midrash***, or ***beit midrash***, is a hall dedicated for [Torah study](/source/Torah_study), often translated as a "study hall".[1] It is distinct from a [synagogue](/source/Synagogue) (*beth knesseth*), although the two are often coextensive. In [Yiddish](/source/Yiddish) the *beth midrash* may be referred to as a *zal*, i.e. "hall". *Beis midrash* can also refer to a [yeshiva gedolah](/source/Yeshiva_gedolah), the undergraduate-level program in [Orthodoxy](/source/Orthodox_Judaism), for boys over 12th grade.[2]

The [Arabic](/source/Arabic) term "[madrasah](/source/Madrasa)" is derived from the same [Semitic root](/source/Semitic_root), and refers to any type of educational institution. The root דרש means "to seek [knowledge]"[3] and is then generalized to mean "expound".

## History

Early [rabbinic literature](/source/Rabbinic_literature), including the [Mishnah](/source/Mishnah), makes mention of the *beth midrash* as an institution distinct from the *[beth din](/source/Beth_din)* and [Sanhedrin](/source/Sanhedrin). It was meant as a place of Torah study and interpretation, as well as the development of *[halakha](/source/Halakha)* (the practical application of the Jewish Law).

The origin of the *beth midrash*, or *house of study*, can be traced to the early [rabbinic period](/source/Rabbinic_period), following the [Siege of Jerusalem](/source/Siege_of_Jerusalem_(70_CE)) (70 CE) in which the [destruction of the Temple](/source/Second_Temple#Destruction) took place. The earliest known rabbinical school was established by [Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai](/source/Yohanan_ben_Zakkai) at [Yavne](/source/Yavne). Other official schools were soon established under different rabbis. These men traced their ideological roots back to the rabbis of the late [Second Temple period](/source/Second_Temple_period), specifically the [Houses of Hillel and Shammai](/source/Houses_of_Hillel_and_Shammai), two schools of thought.

By late antiquity, the *beth midrash* had developed along with the synagogue into a distinct though somewhat related institution. The main difference between the *beth midrash* and *beth ha-keneseth* (synagogue) is that the *beth ha-keneseth* is sanctified for prayer only and that even the study of Torah would violate its sanctity while in the *beth midrash* both Torah study and prayer are allowed. For this reason most synagogues designate their sanctuary as a *beth midrash* so that in addition to prayer the study of the Torah would also be permitted.

## Structure

Beth Midrash of [Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh](/source/Yeshivat_Kerem_B'Yavneh).

There are generally either benches or chairs for sitting, along with tables on which books are placed. In Lithuanian [yeshivas](/source/Yeshiva) the *beth midrash* will have *[shtenders](/source/Lectern)* (standing desks resembling lecterns; the [Yiddish](/source/Yiddish) word is derived from the German *Ständer*).

A characteristic *beth midrash* has many hundreds of books, including at least several copies of the entire [Talmud](/source/Talmud), [Torah](/source/Torah), [Tanach](/source/Tanach), *[siddurim](/source/Siddur)* (prayer books), *[Shulchan Aruch](/source/Shulchan_Aruch)*, *[Mishneh Torah](/source/Mishneh_Torah)*, *[Arba'ah Turim](/source/Arba'ah_Turim)*, *[Mishnah Berurah](/source/Mishnah_Berurah)*, *[Aruch HaShulchan](/source/Aruch_HaShulchan)* and other frequently consulted works.

In modern times, *batei midrash* are typically found as the central study halls of yeshivas or independent *kollels*, both institutions of Torah study. The location and institution of study are often interchanged, so in popular parlance, yeshivot are sometimes referred to as *batei midrash*. A *beth midrash* may also be housed in a synagogue, or vice versa. In antiquity, this is a matter of debate (see below). Many *batei midrash* originally serve the community but attract a yeshiva in the course of their existence.

## Virtual *beth midrash*

A virtual *beth midrash* is an online forum that provides articles for self-study and live, online classes, which sometimes makes use of "breakout groups" to provide for *[chavrusa](/source/Chavrusa)-style* learning typical of a traditional beth midrash study hall.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## See also

- [Mechina](/source/Mechina)

- *[Midrasha](/source/Midrasha)* – a women's institution for [Torah study](/source/Torah_study)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Havruta: Learning in Pairs"](https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/havruta-learning-in-pairs/). *myjewishlearning.com*. Retrieved 5 August 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Berezovsky, HaRav Sholom Noach (2001). [*Nesivos Sholom*](https://books.google.com/books?id=1MArvfg24EsC&q=yeshiva+ketana&pg=PA211). Feldheim Publishers. p. 211. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-58330-495-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-58330-495-9).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Lev. 10:16](https://he.wikisource.org/wiki/%D7%A7%D7%98%D7%92%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%94:%D7%95%D7%99%D7%A7%D7%A8%D7%90_%D7%99_%D7%98%D7%96)

## External links

- [The virtual Beit Midrash](http://www.yeshiva.co/midrash/) at [Yeshiva.co](/source/Yeshiva.co)

For more information, see [George Foot Moore](/source/George_Foot_Moore)'s *Judaism,* as well as the more recent works of [Jacob Neusner](/source/Jacob_Neusner). Also, [Lee I. Levine](/source/Lee_I._Levine)'s *The Rabbinic Class of Roman Palestine in Late Antiquity,* as well as the relevant articles in Dan Urman and Paul V. M. Flesher's edited volume, *Ancient Synagogues: Historical Analysis and Archaeological Discovery.*

v t e Jewish education Types of organization Cheder Talmud Torah Yeshiva (list) Mesivta (list) Seminary Midrasha (list) Mechina Hebrew school Jewish day school Kloyz Higher education Yeshiva gedolah (beth midrash) Kollel Hesder Officials Rosh yeshiva Rosh mesivta Melamed Mashpia Mashgiach Ruchani Rosh Kollel Related topics Baal teshuva Illui Words of Peace and Truth

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Beth midrash](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beth_midrash) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beth_midrash?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.