Yeshiva System of learning

The benefits of learning in a Yeshiva, are vast and far‑reaching. I will attempt to list a few, but by no means should one think that these are the only advantages to be gained.

I. 1. First of all, apart from the material itself that is being learned, which has innumerable benefits, the system of study alone is an amazing endeavor.
The method of learning most often used in a non‑yeshiva environment, is that a teacher lectures to students. This is passive learning, where the student is judged by the facts he remembers. This results in a lack of interest to the point of falling asleep, at worst, to remembering enough to pass a test and then forgetting what was learned, at best.
In the yeshiva it is quite different. The method of learning is called the "Chavrusah" system. Here you have two students sitting directly across from one another, discussing the topic to be learned. This is active learning.
Active learning not only is much more interesting, but it also develops the ability to think logically. How? Through con­stantly being forced to prove your opinion to your partner. As everyone knows the best way to learn is to teach, because to be able to explain something to someone else, you yourself have to understand it. Even if you don't, through the process of explain­ing, you come to understand it.
2. Also, by your partner continually questioning what you say, you learn to refine your thinking to look only at the essen­tial main points, and realize the difference between main and side points. This is like two knives, with each sharpening the other. Your partner motivates you to come up with things you never would have been able to on your own. In this way a person learns to become a thinker, and think on his feet. Not just be able to spit out facts, but to be able to assimilate and apply facts into beneficial results. Being able to apply the same facts to different situations.
3. It is a known fact that in order to remember something for a long period of time, the more of ones senses a person uses, the more he will remember. So too here, by using speech, by a person hearing what his partner says, by using hands to emphasize points, by getting excited about making your point understood, by simply being interested in what your doing, you as a result are able to remember a tremendous amount. Of course repetition is necessary, but now even this becomes an interesting endeavor, since your not doing it alone, but with a friend.
4. In addition to this, the material itself, (the Gemmora), is extremely logical. Each page using a different type of logic, which constantly challenges and stretches a persons mind, not allowing him to rest even for a second.
The Talmud is constantly aggressive. It constantly asks questions, tearing apart a subject, leaving no stone unturned in its quest for truth. This is opposed to other studies where you only memorizes facts, and do not learn how to think.
The Talmud stretches a persons mind to be able to see all sides of a question, and then to make a final decision based on all the points involved. This type of mental activity prepares a person to such a high degree, that anything else he may have to do later in life to make a living, will be child's play in com­parison.

II. In addition, a person does not go home to learn alone in his room, but all Chavrusahs sit together in one large room called a Beit‑midrash. Here 25 or more students sit and discuss the subject in a normal tone of voice. Included are emotional out­bursts at times, where an over zealous "Bacher" is trying to explain a seemingly obvious point to his "obstinate" partner. As a result of all this, the Beit‑Midrash is literally a live with activity. In this way, each group adds life and excitement, and a sense of unity, to the other.
An additional benefit is that if a person has a question he can go to any of the groups and get an immediate answer, so that he can go further in his studies.
Of course this is all watched over by a Rabbi, who is also there for guidance and questions.

III. Not only is the material very logical, but also it all relates to a persons being. How? By being spiritual, because it comes from G‑d. So it is not just the learning of sterile facts with no meaning, purpose, or direction; but it is all directed towards G‑dliness. Which includes: ethics, morals, personal growth, and true justice.

IV. To be a true Talmud Chocham, it is not enough to be an intellect, this does not automatically connect one with G‑d. As a matter of fact it can have just the opposite effect. By making a person a bigger ego, he therefore becomes self‑centered, not able to relate to something outside of himself, like G‑d for instance.
The epitome of a Talmud Chocham, is different than what the world views as the epitome, this being a great intellect in any area of endeavor. In Hebrew the word for intellect is Chochmah. We know that Hebrew being a holy language, every word has deep meaning, so too here. Chochmah is made up of two words, “Koach mah”. Which means the "power of what is". Which means that in his "minds eye", everything he sees in the physical world, he has the ability to see the G‑dliness in it.
In order for a person to become one with G‑d he has to refine his character to a very high degree, removing the coarse­ness of the body so that the soul can shine through. In this way he becomes sensitive to spirituality to a higher degree.
Therefore, just as important as the intellectual growth, is the emotional growth. A human, in order to be complete, must develop in all ways. If he only develops in intellectual ways there is a tendency to be a egomaniac and very self‑centered, not caring or relating to other people. It is also possible to be very smart intellectually, but be a child emotionally, which makes a person frustrated and unhappy. The goal is the putting of intellect into emotion.
The emotional growth is achieved by one having to worry about the progress of his partner. It is said that if one can get along with his Chavrusah he will make a good marriage partner. He has to develop patience, by having to explain his point many times, especially if his partner is not as smart as he is. He has to learn to break himself, and force himself to relate to his Chavrusah level. He has to be able to see things from his partners’ perspective, so that when he explains something to the other person he will be able to grasp it on his own level. In this way each person has to come out of himself and empathize with the other.
Ultimately a person should realize that he shouldn't just want to have the smartest Chavrusah so that he can learn much more, and as a result grow intellectually. Rather he also will want to learn with a slower student, because he realizes that it is for his own good, that he himself will grow emotionally. In addition to this, by slowing down he will see things and under­stand things in the material, down to its basics. To learn to teach takes a lot of patience. One has to develop the ability to relate to the other person on his own level. This is why not everyone who knows a lot can teach.
Eventually a person should develop to the point that the reason he wants to learn with another is not only for his own personal growth, but simply he wants to help others to fulfill their own potentials, since all Jews are brothers, and part of one body.

V. The main goal is to become one with Torah, which ulti­mately means one with G‑d. The ultimate of knowledge is, to know you don't know. Which means you've learned so much, for so long, so deeply, that you "see" the infinity of Torah. You know for a fact that there is a G‑d, and in comparison to him you know nothing. This knowledge connects a person with G‑d on a very high level. To where he can continually be connected with Hashem even when he eats, drinks, sleeps, works, etc.. Leading to total contentment, and happiness beyond words.
Does one have to be an intellectual to achieve this aware­ness? No. Every person, since they have a G‑dly soul, can make this connection. Try it!