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"The book and the sword, bound together, descended from Heaven", say the sages. When the State of Israel was established, attempts were made to combine the two - Torah study on one hand and military service on the other. These eventually evolved into the yeshiva (rabbinical college) framework known as "Hahesder".
The first Hahesder Yeshiva was established fifty years ago in the month of Cheshvan 5714 (1954) as Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh. HaRav A. Y. Kook, of blessed memory, wrote: "With the means placed at our disposal, it is now possible to rebuild the illustrious Yeshiva, the most significant element of the renowned and beloved Yavneh community reawakening the vital spiritual life of ancient Kerem B'Yavneh."
The late Rabbi Meir Bar Ilan conceived the idea of building the Yeshiva. The late Ya'akov Drori was responsible for implementation of the project. Rabbi Chaim Ya'akov Goldvicht of blessed memory headed the Yeshiva for 40 years. Today that position is filled by Rabbi Mordechai Greenberg.
Since the Six-Day War, 36 Yeshivot Hahesder, with thousands of students, have been founded from Kiryat Sh'mona and Ma'alot in the north to Eilat and Gush Katif in the south. These yeshivot are organized under the Association of Yeshivot Hahesder, which serves as liaison between the yeshivot and the army.
Students of Yeshivot Hahesder, integrated into select combat units of the IDF, are instilled with a love for Torah, the people of Israel, and the land of Israel. Graduates work in education, participate in the settlement effort, and contribute to the enhancement of the moral standards of Israeli society. Many have fallen in wars between Israel and its enemies.
Eli Klein
Director Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh
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