Telz Beis Medrash Final

In Jewish Ultra-Orthodox Culture teenagers are often enrolled in Yeshiva (Seminary) from 9th grade onward. In Yeshiva students study the oral Torah which consists of complex ancient Aramaic text without any punctuation. Students spend most of their day in a large study hall called a Beis Medrash.  Visitors who come to observe are often shocked to see how it's not like a library. The walls are completely filled with book shelves and ancient holy writings. The most shocking part is how loud it is. It's the exact opposite of a library. Students pare up with a friend and study together while constantly challenging each other. The language they speak is a mixture of English, Aramaic, Yiddish and Hebrew. The study hall is made up of shtenders (podiums) and it's common to study while standing up. The custom is to involve a person's entire body in the study of Torah. Therefore, it is common for their to be expression with the hands in addition to verbal expression. Shouting at each other is not considered disrespectful. In fact it's encouraged to study in this way. The articulation helps with memory as does the intensity. It is common for students to shuckle (sway back and forth) while studying. It is so loud in the beis medrash that it is almost like a white noise machine. It's a place full of energy, life and happiness.