Kollel Machon Daniel &
other such projects of Rabbi Yona Vogel
During my trip to Israel Tammuz, 5758(July 5 thru July 12, 1998) one of the most rewarding aspects of my trip was my time learning in Kollel at Machon Daniel in Har Nof.
Now I came to know about Machon Daniel circuitously. I have a dear friend here in Philadelphia --- an Aish Hatorah Rabbi and Mohel named Rabbi Moshe Trager. When he heard back in January that I wanted to og to Israel again this summer, he suggested that I go to learn at Yeshiva Bircas HaTorah. His friend, Rabbi Green is Rosh Yeshiva there and Rabbi Trager spoke highly of that institution. However, after speaking and exchanging emails with Rabbi Green's assistant, I was told that Rabbi Green said Bircas HaTorah had not the facilities for learning for such a short time as the 4 mornings that I was alloting from my 6 full days in Eretz Yisroel. Therefore, he suggested Machon Daniel in Har Nof.
And so, I contacted Rabbi's Vogel and Moore in order to get set up at Machon Daniel. I asked questions like what comprised the morning learning Seder??? What S'forim were needed??? What Perek would they be holding by, etc??? And so, I found out that they were learning in the 3rd Perek of Kiddushin, the 1st Perek of Hilchas Shabbos in Mishnah Berura and the Parsha of the week. And as I acquired the Artscroll Gemara, and Hilchas Shabbos -- Mishne Breura along with the Metzuda Linear Chumash with Rashi which I"ve owned for years, I also started to hear the rave reviews that people all over Eretz Yisroel gave for the quality of the learning and flexibility of the Rabbonim toward their Talmidim all ages and all levels of knowledge. I'll add here that my experiences at Machon Daniel far exceeded the fondest references that I received from others.
I was priviledged to be able to spend 4 mornings -- Tuesday-Thursday & Sunday during my trip(7/5 - 7/12/98) learning in the morning Seder at Machon Daniel. The Seder was set up in 4 compartments -- First Perek of Mishnah Berurah - Hilchas Shabbos (Lending or Renting to a Gentile over Shabbos), Parsha (Parshas Balak & Pinchas), Tractate Kiddushin Perek Gimel - Samach Hay Amed Bais and Samach Vov - Amed Aleph – regarding the testimony of the Ei'd Echad (both review and the main Gemura Shiur). Rabbi Vogel lead off each morning with the Mishnah Berurah Shiur followed by the Parsha Shuir and the Gemura Review Shiurim both given by Rabbi Gurwitz. The main Gemura Shiur was given by the Rosh Kollel, Rabbi Moore. The learning at Machon Daniel was a truly wonderful experience.
The Kollel Machon Daniel has a Nitch for which there is a great need. I am a Ba'al Teshuvah of some 8 1/2 years. I also am 50 years old. There is a crying need for learning facilities in Israel for men in their 30s, 40s, 50s, etc. who have aged beyond where they could be housed or would feel at home at Aish HaTorah, Ohr Someach or other Outreach Yeshivot for men in their teens or 20's. Further, Machon Daniel is able to integrate into their learning regiment students at all levels of proficiency from beginner to highest levels as well as students who wish to learn short-term like my 4 mornings or for a couple of weeks as well as long-term learning. Their Shuirim are in English, therefore attractive to American tourists and Olim. For further information, please contact;
Rabbi Yona Vogel
#02-571-4770 (011-972-2-571-4770)
Rabbi Yoel Moore (Rosh Kollel)
#02-651-9258 (011-972-2-651-9258)
