Rav David Zahtz
Kibbutz Yavne, Israel
Rabbi at Machon Maayan since 2013
How did you end up at Machon Maayan?
I heard that Machon Maayan was going to be my new neighbor (Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh, where I also work, and Givat Washington are right next to each other) so I emailed Rav K to meet in June before they moved (Machon Maayan was in Beit Shemesh before it moved to Givat Washington). I remember meeting him in the makolet as he was carrying a tape measure and looked like he just had a really long day. We spoke for a bit and then he took my information and let me know that if he was interested, then he would call me. I didn’t get a call, and the new year started. When I left the Beit Midrash on my campus at Yeshiva on Rosh Hashana, I met Rav Goldfischer and his wife. We instantly connected and hit it off and a week later, I became his official substitute and finally began teaching my own courses.
What do you teach/what’s your job at Machon Maayan?
I teach all types of courses, ranging from halacha, text-based, Tanach, parsha, philosophy, character development, and more. Of course, that is only part of my job, as I really see my job as connecting through the Torah in order to make relationships and help guide/mentor the students through their individual journeys in life.
If you could go back to any time in history, where would you go?
I would love to see what Solomon’s Temple looked like. Seeing the first Beit Hamikdash would help me appreciate something so essential to Judaism in a different way.
What is your favorite sefer in Tanach? Why?
Shmuel is my favorite Sefer, as it highlights the life of King David, who was such a profound character in our tradition and history.
