Looking through several of the promotional publications issued by Yeshivas Shaar HaShomayim for the Study of Revealed and Concealed Torah, one gets an impression of what it was like to learn in this unique yeshiva, which was fully operational before yeshivos were patterned as they are today. Many aspects of how the yeshiva was run were a function of the circumstances at the time and do not necessarily have any practical application in our times. It is interesting to follow the way in which things developed until they crystallized into the form that we have them today.
In their prospectus, the yeshiva's founders provide the following description of some of the different "courses" the yeshiva offered.
The yeshiva for bochurim — This department will accept gifted and inspired youngsters aged fifteen and sixteen who have completed their studies in Talmud Torah and who want to become halachic authorities for Klal Yisroel. Distinguished rabbonim and scholars of Yerushalayim will deliver shiurim in gemora and commentaries and in the poskim. Upon completion of their course of studies, the talmidim will receive a certificate attesting to their competence to render rulings from the yeshiva's teachers who themselves are rabbonim who occupy positions in Yerushalayim.
Rabbinical lawyers — In addition to the Torah and ethical authority that our botei din wield in the Diaspora, the beis din tzedek in the Holy Land is invested with the legal authority of the [mandatory Palestine, pre-1948] state, by decree of the king, may his glory be exalted. The members of the beis din issue rulings on all matters pertaining to inheritances, wills, marriage and divorce, alimony and the like. There is therefore a great need for rabbinical lawyers who can act as advocates in the botei din. The yeshiva has therefore opened a special department whose purpose is to teach and train advocates in Talmudic law. Capable youngsters who are gifted with clarity of speech and with sound logic, who are honest and of fine character, will be accepted. The shiurim will be on Shulchan Oruch, Choshen Mishpat and Even Haezer.
The Department for the Study of Kodshim and Taharos — These two orders [of mishnah] are almost totally neglected by most scholars, to the point where laymen suspect that these parts of Torah may simply be superfluous. The laws that Chazal term "fundamental halochos" (Ovos 3:18) have almost disappeared from the vista of the holy Torah's splendor and wholeness. The arrangers of the Talmud saw fit to assign so much space to the orders of Kodshim and Taharos, even though they already lacked practical relevance in their day. This department will accept talmidei chachomim who are Cohanim and whose occupation is Torah, who wish to attain knowledge of Torah in its entirety.
The Department for the Study of Kiddush Hachodesh and the Principles of Fixing the Calendar — The Jewish People are considered "a wise and understanding people" (Devorim 4:6) on account of their expertise in this area. The Rambam devoted an entire chapter to it in his Mishneh Torah. This department will accept talmidei chachomim from among the yeshiva's scholars who wish to learn the laws governing the fixing of the calendar and sanctifying the new moon from the Talmud and the Rambam, in an orderly and methodical way.
The Study of Kabboloh — Talmidei chachomim who are trained and very solidly grounded in all areas of the revealed Torah, and who have passed all the tests that prove their suitability [for this study] from a spiritual standpoint, will be accepted. These shiurim will be given daily by the greatest experts in Kabboloh, in the seforim of the Ari and his talmid Rav Chaim Vital zy'a. There are several levels in the yeshiva and those who have passed the first level will ascend to succeeding levels. Those who are capable, will become mentors and will convey their learning to others. Others are involved in editing the many manuscripts that the yeshiva publishes in the field of Kabboloh. Mechavnim is the term for those who have been successfully tested by the elder scholars of Kabboloh and know how to focus their thoughts on Yichud Hashem and on the thoughts brought in the kabboloh literature." http://chareidi.org/archives5767/rosh/RSH67features2.htm
