A study conducted by the Ne’emanei Torah V’Avodah Organization shows a continuing growth in the number of Zionist talmidei torah in Israel, stating at present there are at least 56 operating around the country in which 8,500-10,000 boys are studying. It states in this framework, boys and girls are separated and there are increased Torah studies as compared to a regular religious public elementary school. Often the Zilberman or Barkai methods of teaching are employed.

The research shows a steady growth in the Zionist talmidei torah over the past decade and while one may only have found such a school in Yerushalayim or Yehuda and Shomron years ago, today they are available in many areas of the country, including Ramat Gan, Nazareth Illit and Eilat. Two-thirds of these talmidei torah operate within the framework of the state run religious public school system.

Eyal Berger, who headed the study, points out this shows the Zionist talmidei torah are no longer a fringe entity but a growing one that is a part of the religious state run education system. He feels soon there will be a need to discuss the future and how this growing trend will impact this tzibur. He points out the growing number of elementary schools that are shifting from the delicate balance that existed in dati leumi education in the past regarding Torah and secular education.

Shmuel Shetach, who runs the Ne’emanei Torah V’Avodah organization, added that “the inherent problems associated with the talmidei torah phenomenon lie in the perception that Torah is detached from a life of action. Furthermore, these institutions of Torah study are based largely on rote methods that lead to greater student proficiency but at the expense of understanding the depth of Torah. Richness and depth of Torah study are current internationally accepted doctrines in Zionist yeshivos, made possible largely due to a focus on analysis and understanding and not because of methods of memorizing that diminish the breadth of the Torah”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)