Our Staff
Rav Shabtai Sabato
Before founding the yeshiva in Mitzpeh Yericho, Rav Sabato studied in Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav under Rav Tzvi Yehudah Kook, son of Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook. Rav Sabato also served in the army as a combat medic. In the 1980s, Rav Sabato was one of the first Israeli rabbis to record a series of shiurim on tape to help master the entire Talmud Bavli, a groundbreaking project at the time. In 2015, he published a series of popular sefarim called “VaTisa’eini Ruach” on the weekly parsha and the Chagim.
In addition to running the entire educational campus, Rav Sabato teaches regular shiurim to first year students in the yeshiva on Sefer Kohelet and the Kuzari and to older students in Midrash and Kabbala. He is also the rabbi of the “Beit Gavriel” shul in Beit El.
Rav Yitzchak Sabato
Rav Yitzchak Sabato, himself a graduate of the high school and yeshiva gavoha, was formerly a Ra”m for shiur aleph in the yeshiva. In 2010, he sent a group of alumni with there families to Kiryat Ono and together founded the “garin torani” there, as well as the organization “L’maan Amo B’ahava” to support alumni serving in various other garin toranis and as community rabbis. In 2016, after many years as ram shiur alef and various roles in the hogh school, Rav Yitzchak bacome rosh yeshiva beside his father Rav Shabtai Sabbato. In 2017, Rav Yitzchak founded the Machon V’halachta B’derachav, which focuses on developing one’s Middot. The Machon publishes sefarim, puts out videos available online in Hebrew, and also operates a Beit Din in the yeshiva under its auspices. In addition to his duties as Rosh Yeshiva and his other work, Rav Yitzchak serves as the rabbi of Beit Knesset Yagel Yaakov in Mitzpeh Yericho.
Rav Eli Dordek
Rabbi Elijah Dordek grew up in Chicago and attended the Ida Crown Jewish Academy (1980). He put off his MIT scholarship in order to study at BMT. His desire to master Mishna and Talmud, led him to Rabbi Shabtai Sabato and his tapes of his Shas Habura, and convinced him to publish the Talmud HaMuklat, and found a Shas Program for Chutznikim.
The American and Israeli students combined for the siyum of the Shas at BMT and established a Smicha program. Rav Dordek joined Rabbi Sabato in founding the Netivot Yosef high school, serving as its first mechanech and leading the Mishna program. In 5752, Rabbi Dordek published his acclaimed Mishna Sdura, which has sold hundreds of thousands of volumes and is studied daily worldwide.
Rabbi Dordek later served a decade as Assistant Rosh Yeshiva and also helped Rabbi Sabato establish the Maor Tuvia Yeshiva Gvoha. He continues teaching Mishna and Talmud at both yeshivas.
With his expertise as a psychotherapist, Rav Elie forms close connections with students. Many participate in his weekly "Nefesh Chaya" groups to develop emotional intelligence and life skills.
Beyond his 40+ years of study with Rabbi Sabato, Rabbi Dordek has learned extensively with Rabbi Yitzchak Shlomo Zilberman zt”l and Rabbi Shalom Ulman zt”l including publishing works on the Kabbalah of the GRA and RaMCHaL
His entrenprenurial spirit led him to found the Shanen.li startup which develops speech to text technology for ed-tech.
Rav ZviEli Scholnik
Rav ZviEli Scholnick grew up in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, with a deep connection to the Land of Israel. This connection was solidified when his family settled in the Old City of Jerusalem. Rav ZviEli's journey took him after high school to the Yeshiva of Beit El and the Yeshiva of Mitzpe Yericho. Following his time in yeshiva, he served as an officer in the Israel Defense Forces, contributing to the war efforts of Operation Protective Edge in 2014 and recently in Operation Iron Swords as a member of the military rabbinate. Rav ZviEli earned his BA at Michlalah college in the field of Education and Jewish Philosophy. He also spent two years on shlichut teaching at Yeshivat Barkai in Brooklyn, New York.
Since joining the staff of the yeshiva in 2015, Rav ZviEli’s unique blend of scholarship, military service, and spiritual insight has been a valuable asset. His warm and caring personality has created a nurturing environment for students, fostering their sense of belonging and community. In addition, his profound understanding of Emunah and Jewish philosophy and expertise in the realms of Tefillah and music has made him an inspiration and role model for many students.
Yechiel Yehoshua Van Tijn
Yechiel Yehoshua Van Tijn grew up in the Netherlands. After completing his education in public school, Yechiel immersed himself in Torah study for two years at Yeshivat Orayta. After deciding to make Aliyah, his journey led him to the Yeshiva of Mitzpe Yericho, where he has dedicated himself to intense Torah study. Concurrently, got married, served in the IDF and started taking rabbinic exams.
In his various roles at the yeshiva, Yechiel fosters meaningful personal connections with many students. Eager to make profound connections, Yechiel is enthusiastic about sharing his passion for Torah and the Land of Israel with others. His ability to listen attentively and provide insightful guidance in students’ personal journeys makes him a valuable member of the staff.
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