As Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary appears near to the choice of a new Rosh HaYeshiva to join its prestigious faculty, questions surround the actual selection process of such a position. While a Rosh HaYeshiva is similar in many ways to a tenured university professor, the course of action that leads to the bestowal of this honor differs greatly from the tenure process, as no clear guidelines exist as to how a Rosh HaYeshiva is appointed. Investigation into this process has revealed a murky, often ad hoc procedure, with little real oversight and tenuous faculty and student input, at best.

Generally, RIETS will look to hire a new Rosh HaYeshiva if either the number of students enrolled in the school rises, or if one of the current faculty members leaves. For the past two years, RIETS has been attempting to replace Rabbis Abba Bronspigel and Yehuda Parnes, both of whom taught relatively large shiurim. Yeshiva tried to fill this void last year by hiring former BMP Rabbi David Hirsch as a Rosh HaYeshiva.

No one had been tapped to fill the second gap, however, and Rabbi Bronspigel's style of shiur, the more traditional "yeshivish," approach, had not been replaced as of yet.

The task of finding a Rosh HaYeshiva falls to RIETS Dean Rabbi Zevulun Charlop, who only initiates the process after he determines that there is a need. While Commentator sources assert that R' Charlop himself has almost total discretion in implementing the search process, R' Charlop contends that Yeshiva University President and RIETS Rosh HaYeshiva Unesiah Rabbi Norman Lamm "is involved in every step of the process."

Once R' Charlop narrows the field of candidates, he presents his recommendations to President Lamm for final approval. When asked how he generates his list of candidates, Charlop revealed, "People sometimes come to us with their list of recommendations, and we research the potential candidates." Commentator sources indicate that certain Roshei HaYeshiva - specifically, Rabbis Rosensweig, Shachter, and Willig - play prominent roles in the process.

The lack of defined input into the search process does not worry some RIETS insiders, however. cOf course there's no well-defined process," said one. How many yeshivas have a well-defined process for finding rebbeim? RIETS, in this sense, is no different."

Unlike other yeshivas, however, at Yeshiva, even the exact number of rabbis who occupy the position of Rosh HaYeshiva is difficult to determine, since there are some Rebbeim who are Roshei HaYeshiva but do not teach at Yeshiva's uptown Manhattan campus. For example, Rav Ahron Lichtenstein of Yeshivat Har Etzion holds the title of Rosh HaYeshiva, but teaches in the Yeshiva's Gruss Institute.

While little light was shed on the actual selection process by the RIETS powers-that-be, by all accounts, the procedure for hiring a Rosh HaYeshiva seems to proceed at a painstakingly slow pace. "In general, hiring a Rosh HaYeshiva is a long process that involves many discussions back and forth and can range over years," comments R' Charlop.

It appears that the reason why the discussions take place over a period of years is that the RIETS higher-ups monitor certain students who they feel can one day become a Rosh HaYeshiva. There also seem to be certain positions within the Yeshiva community that act as feeders to the Yeshiva. Teaching the MTA Masmid shiur, which is open only to advanced 12th grade students, is widely considered a stepping-stone to a shiur in RIETS.

Another feeder for RIETS is the Bais Medrash Program, which is run by Dean Michael Shmidman. The last Rosh HaYeshiva to be appointed, Rabbi Hirsch, had previously taught a popular BMP shiur.

One benefit to promoting from within is that it enables RIETS to monitor the progress of potential rebbeim, though Charlop insists, "We do not necessarily look inside the Yeshiva when we are looking for a Rosh HaYeshiva. But of course, chief focuses of our search are the burgeoning Talmidei Chachamim who know what our Yeshiva is about. But we're always looking beyond our walls."

One RIETS kollel student defended the procedure's lassitude. "It makes sense that it takes so long," he said. "This is a serious decision, and no one wants to rush into it."

Part of the selection process's gravity stems from the ability of Roshei HaYeshiva to speak freely. Essentially, they are provided with a forum and an audience where they can say whatever they please. Many Rebbeim have spoken out against the University in their shiurim, without having to face any consequence. Furthermore, in the long history of RIETS, no Rosh HaYeshiva has ever been fired. While many in the Yeshiva hierarchy dispute the notion that the Roshei HaYeshiva are tenured, it seems that they enjoy the same academic freedom afforded tenured academics.

While this is certainly a form of academic freedom that is necessary in all educational institutions, some wonder whether this liberty is detrimental to Yeshiva. In fact, people close to RIETS assert that in the unlikely scenario that a Rosh HaYeshiva would be fired, all the other Rebbeim would undoubtedly support their colleague.

Nevertheless another RIETS source played down this concern. "How could anyone expect a Yeshiva to censor its spiritual leaders?" he asked.

In an attempt to shed light on the possible requirements for an aspirant for the job, Rosh HaYeshiva Rabbi Moses D. Tendler explains that the essence of a good rebbe lies in teaching ability rather than just learning prowess. Sources support Tendler's assertion and indicate that the once a Rosh HaYeshiva is named, his first year giving shiur is considered to be a test.

One RIETS insider conveyed concern that some of the more recent Rosh HaYeshiva appointments lack the teaching ability that Rabbi Tendler stressed, explaining some enormous disparities in shiur sizes in RIETS.

Another serious facet of the Rosh HaYeshiva position is that there is no mandatory retirement age. In fact, many rebbeim continue teaching well into their 70s and 80s. While it seems that students prefer to be taught by older rabbeim, some of the shiurim taught by longtime rebbeim are not well attended. And since the philosophy of the Yeshiva is, "We do not force talmidim into a shiur," inevitably, RIETS must from time to time expand its prestigious roster of Roshei Ha-Yeshiva.