Rabbinical Seminary Of America

Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yisrael Meir HaKohen, also known as Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim: Rabbinical Seminary of America (RSA), and often referred to as just Chofetz Chaim (חָפֵץ חַיִּים) is a major Orthodox yeshiva in the United States based in Kew Gardens Hills, Queens, New York. It is primarily an American, Lithuanian-style Talmudic yeshiva.

The yeshiva is named in memory of Rabbi Yisroel Meir Kagan, who was known as the Chafetz Chaim (חָפֵץ חַיִּים) after the name of his book with the same title. Chafetz Chaim means "Seeker/Desirer [of] Life" in Hebrew.

The yeshiva was established in 1933 by Rabbi Dovid Leibowitz, a great-nephew of the Chofetz Chaim. Rabbi Leibowitz was a disciple of Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel ("The Alter of Slabodka") and he also studied under Rabbi Naftoli Trop and the Chofetz Chaim in the Raduń Yeshiva. Both of these yeshivas were in Lithuania. However, for a time Radin was governed by the Polish.

After its founder's death in December 1941, the yeshivah was headed and developed by his son, Rabbi Henoch Leibowitz (d. April 15, 2008). Today, it is led by two of Rabbi Henoch's close disciples, Rabbi Dovid Harris and Rabbi Akiva Grunblatt.

RSA also has a branch in the Sanhedria Murchevet section of Jerusalem, and many affiliates located throughout North America and beyond.

An Alumni website is located at www.RSAalums.org

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