Rabbinical Seminary of America

Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yisrael Meir HaKohen, also known as Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim: Rabbinical Seminary of America (RSA), and often referred to as just Chofetz Chaim is a major Orthodox yeshiva in the United States based in Kew Gardens Hills, Queens, New York. It is primarily an American, Lithuanian-style Talmudic yeshiva.

The yeshiva is named in memory of Rabbi Yisroel Meir Kagan, who was known as the Chafetz Chaim after the name of his book with the same title. Chafetz Chaim'' means "Seeker/Desire 1 Life" in Hebrew.

The yeshiva was established in 1933 by Rabbi Dovid Leibowitz, a disciple of Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel ("The Alter of Slabodka"). Rabbi Dovid Leibowitz also studied under Rabbi Naftoli Trop and the Chofetz Chaim in the Radu? Yeshiva. Both of these yeshivas were in Lithuania. However, for a time Radin was governed by the Polish.

After its founder's death in December 1941, the yeshivah was headed and developed by his son, Rabbi Henoch Leibowitz (d. April 15, 2008). Today, it is led by two of Rabbi Henoch's close disciples, Rabbi Dovid Harris and Rabbi Akiva Grunblatt.

RSA also has a branch in the Sanhedria Murchevet section of Jerusalem, and many affiliates located throughout North America and beyond.

History

The yeshiva was established in 1933 following a dispute between Rabbi Dovid Leibowitz and the administration of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas. The cause of the dispute is not known. At the time, Rabbi Leibowitz taught the "top shiur," or most prestigious class, at Torah Vodaas, and when he quit to create his own yeshiva most of his students left with him. The new yeshiva was named for his great uncle Yisroel Meir Kagan, who had died that year.

The Yeshiva's first building was in Williamsburg, Brooklyn; later it relocated to Forest Hills, Queens, and more recently, to Kew Gardens Hills, Queens.

Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yisrael Meir HaKohen, also known as Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim: Rabbinical Seminary of America (RSA), and often referred to as just Chofetz Chaim is a major Orthodox yeshiva in the United States based in Kew Gardens Hills, Queens, New York. It is primarily an American, Lithuanian-style Talmudic yeshiva.