Yeshivas Lubavitch Tiferes Yisroel in Beit Shemesh opened the new zman this week with a number of significant changes to its learning structure, together with a sharpened articulation of the vision guiding the Yeshiva forward.

Among the most significant changes this year is the move away from traditional age-based shiurim in both Nigleh and Chassidus (Aleph and Beis).

Instead, bochurim have been placed in shiurim according to their individual level, ability and learning needs.

The change is designed to allow every bochur to be challenged appropriately, while giving particular attention to advanced bochurim who are ready to progress at a significantly higher level, with greater depth and at a faster pace.

Rather than asking every bochur of the same age to move at the same pace, the new structure allows each shiur to have clearer goals, a more focused curriculum and expectations appropriate to the bochurim learning within it.

At the heart of this structure is a simple principle:
Every bochur should be seen for who he is, challenged according to what he is capable of, and given the tools to grow.

A Yeshiva is there to educate the whole bochur.

That means understanding his strengths, his challenges, his personality, his level and his potential, and then building a path that allows him to grow in a real and lasting way.
The goal is growth.

Genuine growth.

In learning. In Chassidus. In davening. In Yiras Shomayim. In personal responsibility. In maturity. And ultimately in becoming an authentic Chossid.

This year, that vision is being expressed in a simple message:
YLTY Bet Shemesh. Real Growth.

The new level-based shiurim are one practical expression of that approach.

Individualization is not about asking less.

It is about being able to demand more, more precisely, and more individually.

A bochur who is capable of learning at an advanced level should be pushed to do so.

A bochur who needs stronger foundations should be given the structure necessary to build them properly.

And every bochur should know clearly what his next stage of growth looks like.

The opening of the new zman represents more than a scheduling or curricular change.

It represents a clearer expression of what YLTY seeks to accomplish with every bochur:
See the whole bochur. Recognize his potential. Challenge him appropriately. And watch genuine growth take place.