Beth midrash

This article is about Jewish study hall. For the article about Orthodox Jewish undergraduate schools, see Yeshiva gedolah.

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A typical Beth Midrash, Yeshivas Ner Yisroel, Baltimore
Zal, Toras Emes Yeshiva, Jerusalem
Beth Midrash – Machon HaGavoah LeTorah, Bar-Ilan University

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

The Arabic term "madrasah" is derived from the same 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".

  1. ^ "Havruta: Learning in Pairs". myjewishlearning.com. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  2. ^ Berezovsky, HaRav Sholom Noach (2001). Nesivos Sholom. Feldheim Publishers. p. 211. ISBN 1-58330-495-9.
  3. ^ Lev. 10:16