An authentic, open-minded approach to Orthodox Judaism

Beit Midrash Har’el equips the next generation of leaders with the skills and tools to transform the Jewish world.

About Us

Beit Midrash Har’el is dedicated to shaping the future of Jewish leadership through rigorous Torah study, intellectual honesty, and deep commitment to Halacha. We train rabbis and educators who engage the challenges of modern life with integrity, courage, and compassion.

Our Vision

We envision a Jewish future in which Torah leadership is both deeply faithful to tradition and fully engaged with the moral, intellectual, and social realities of the contemporary world. We are building a generation of leaders who strengthen Jewish life, foster connection, and contribute meaningfully to Israeli society and the global Jewish community.

Our Approach

Beit Midrash Har’el offers advanced Torah learning to talented and motivated men and women, creating a Beit Midrash grounded in excellence, responsibility, and shared learning. We believe that Torah is deepened through intellectual openness and the inclusion of diverse voices. As the only Orthodox institution offering Semikha to both men and women together, we are committed to expanding access to advanced rabbinic learning. 

Our Values

We are guided by a commitment to Torah learning, intellectual rigor, inclusivity, and engagement with the broader world. We believe that faithful Jewish life requires openness to complexity, a willingness to confront difficult questions, and a deep sense of responsibility toward community and tradition.

Why har'el?

Deep Torah Study

Engagement with Halacha and classical texts on a high level, while maintaining a firm commitment to tradition and intellectual integrity.

Learning for Women and Men

A respectful and committed learning environment based on shared responsibility.

Orthodox Leadership

Training leaders to serve diverse communities with responsibility and sensitivity.

Our Faculty

Rabbi Herzl Hefter

Rabbi Herzl Hefter is the founder and Rosh Beit Midrash of Beit Midrash Har'el. He received rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, זצ"ל , at Yeshivat Har Etzion. He taught Yoreh De’ah in the Gruss Kollel of Yeshiva University and served as head of the Bruriah Program at Midreshet Lindenbaum.

Rabbi Nadav Berger

Rabbi Nadav Berger received rabbinic ordination from Beit Midrash Harel in 2019. He holds a BA in Bible and Jewish Thought and an MA in Talmud and Halakha. He currently serves as head of the Beit Midrash at the Hadar Institute and teaches Talmud and Halakha at Beit Midrash Harel.

Rabbi Aviad Sanders

An expert in Tanakh (Bible), Jewish Thought, and Halakha. He teaches at Midreshet Lindenbaum. In the past, he taught at Yeshivat Hesder Orot Shaul in Kfar Batya and served as head of the Beit Midrash at Akiva Hebrew Day School in Michigan. He also serves as the Israel Education and Content Director for Moreshet Rabbi Sacks.

Dr. Tehila Elitzur

Dr. Tehilah Elitzur holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Hebrew University specializing in Talmud and Jewish thought. Her doctorate is from Ben Gurion University, specializing in the fields of halakhic and Responsa literature.

Rabbanit Aliza Sperling

Lecturer in Talmud at Yeshivat Maharat and leader of the women’s Torah study community “HerTorah” under SVIVAH. She directs the chesed (volunteer/service) program at Maharat and is a faculty member at the Wexner Foundation. She previously served as a researcher at the Hartman Institute and as director of the Melton program.

Rabbi Rafael Delouya

Studied at Yeshivat Centre Torah in Paris and Yeshivat Beit Yehuda in Kfar Maimon and Yeshivat Briskat Moshe in Ma’ale Adumim. He is the founder and secretary of the Association of Western Scholars in Israel. He serves as the rabbi of the Moroccan community at the Ohel Yitzchak Synagogue in Har Bracha.

Rabbi Aharon Leibowitz

Rabbi of the “Va’ani Tefillah” community, a social entrepreneur, founder of “Hashgacha Pratit,” and leader of the “Chuppot” initiative, which works to expand religious freedom in Israel while maintaining Halakha and tradition. He heads the “Israeli Rabbinate” program at the Shalom Hartman Institute.

Our Students

Featured Classes

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