Rabbinical College of Pretoria

The Rabbinical College of Pretoria (Hebrew Yeshiva LeRabbonus Pretoria) is a Chabad Yeshiva in Pretoria, South Africa. It was established in 2001 under the inspiration of late Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris. The Yeshiva was originally headed by Rabbi Levi Wineberg, also joint Rosh Kollel of Kollel Bet Mordechai in Johannesburg, and internationally known for his annotated translation of the Tanya. It is now under Rabbis Chaim Finkelstein and Gidon Fox, with Rabbi Yosef Kesseleman as Mashpia.

Since the Yeshiva focuses on semicha (ordination), all students have studied at other institutions for several years. After successfully completing the one-year programme, students receive semicha from both the Yeshiva and the renowned Posek Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg (previously granted by Rabbi Yaacov Warhaftig of Machon Ariel in Jerusalem ).To date 98 Rabbis have been ordained at the Yeshiva . There is a one year “pre-Semicha” program as well, which covers practical areas of Halakha, Jewish Law, additional to the “regular” components of Semicha.[1]

The Yeshiva is an important component of the Pretoria Jewish community - there is daily interaction between students and congregants, and one-on-one torah study with members of the community every evening.