Yochanan Zweig
Rabbi Yochanan Zweig (born October 15, 1942)[1][2] is the Rosh Yeshiva of Talmudic University of Florida / Yeshiva V'Kollel Beis Moshe Chaim of Miami Beach. Under his auspices is also a high school and elementary school, both located in Miami Beach.
Biography
Rabbi Zweig was raised in Philadelphia.
While attending Ner Israel Rabbinical College from 1955–1969, Rabbi Zweig received rabbinical ordination (Yoreh Yoreh and Yadin Yadin) from Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Ruderman and Rabbi Yaakov Weinberg. Rabbi Zweig then went to Israel as a lecturer at Bais HaTalmud in Jerusalem where he remained for six years. In 1974 Rabbi Zweig moved to Miami Beach, FL and opened the Talmudic University of Florida/Yeshiva V'Kollel Beis Moshe Chaim, Alfred and Sayde Swire College of Judaic Studies.[3] It is one of largest Yeshiva and Kollel in the Greater Miami area.
Rabbi Zweig received his formal education from Johns Hopkins University and went on to pursue a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law. Subsequently, he has completed a master's degree and Ph.D. in Talmudic Law from the Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore, Md.
Rabbi Zweig is unique in that he maintains warm relationships with individuals from all sectors of the Jewish community, not only the Orthodox community. Rabbi Zweig is in fact the only Orthodox rabbi on the 100+ member Board of Directors of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, and one of only four rabbis in total on the Board (the others being Rabbi Jonathan Berkun (Conservative), Rabbi Mario Rojzman (Conservative) and Rabbi Alan Litwak (Reform)).[4]
Approach
Rabbi Zweig approaches Talmudic study with an emphasis on originality and personal understanding. While accepting the approaches of the earlier commentators (known as Rishonim, as opposed to Achronim (later commentators)), Rabbi Zweig brings a fresh perspective to each Talmudic topic that relies on a critical and literal reading of the passage. Many of his lectures are devoted to explicating unclear and contradictory legal statements codified by Maimonides.
His approach to Biblical texts stresses a critical and literal approach, incorporating the Talmudic and Midrashic understanding of the text. It also relies heavily on psychology.
Rabbi Zweig has his own website containing a lengthy documentary about him, a copy of a cover article about him from Mishpacha Magazine (an American Haredi publication), and classes of his for purchase.[5]
Publications
- Metzulos Yam, Treatises on Bava Basra (Property Law)
- Shiras Yam, Biblical studies on Bereishis (Genesis)
- Shiras Yam, Volume 2
Biblical studies on Shemos (Exodus)