The Virtual Halacha Program (VHP) is a structured Halacha learning program designed for in-depth study anytime, anywhere. Rav Ami Merzel, a close talmid of Rav Avigdor Nebenzahl and Rosh Chabura in the YNA Halacha Kollel since 2008, serves as the Maggid Shiur.

The program is under the auspices of Rav Avigdor Nebenzahl shlita, a talmid muvhak of Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ZT”l.

Our program includes professionals and scholars from diverse backgrounds, including Ashkenazim, Sephardim, and Chassidim. Many participants, including rabbis with Semicha, join to deepen their knowledge.

The source materials are in Hebrew, and learners should be comfortable with Hebrew texts. The program is generally suited for those who have studied in a yeshiva setting.

Shiurim are delivered in English, with summaries provided, while learning materials remain in Hebrew.

We recommend an hour a day, although this may vary based on each participant’s background and fluency.

Marei Mekomot are provided on Sundays, with extra materials on Wednesdays, and the shiur video is released the following Sunday. Shiurim are available as videos on Vimeo, Google Drive, and as mp3 audio.

Shiurim and Marei Mekomot are available on our website and WhatsApp groups. The shiurim are pre-recorded enabling one to watch and listen when convenient.

We assist in finding chavrusas, both live and virtual, depending on location and availability.

There is a WhatsApp group with all the learners that one can ask questions and discuss the learning with. A dedicated shoel umeishiv is also available who follows the live material.

Tuition is $100 per month or $1000 per year. Scholarships and a free trial are available. You can cancel at any time. If you are joining with a chavrusa You both get 25% off of your payment plans. 

The Orach Chaim program covers four years (Shabbat, Berachot, Moadim) and A bekiyut track covers an Amud Yomi of Mishna Berura. the Yoreh Deah also spans four years, focusing on Basar B’Chalav and Niddah (bekius in yoreh deah is optional).

Each week includes 20–30 pages of main Marei Mekomot, covering Chumash, Mishnah, Gemara, Rishonim, Tur, Beit Yosef, and Shulchan Aruch. Extra Marei Mekomot (15–20 pages) provide a deeper dive into Acharonim.

Yes, we include Sephardi psakim from Chacham Ovadia Yosef, Chacham Benzion Abba Shaul, and the Ben Ish Chai.

Tests follow each Iyun zman (5–9 shiurim), with weekly tests for the bekiyut track. Tests are online, with both written and oral formats, and we provide built-in review breaks of 1–3 weeks after each limmud.

No, tests are optional for those learning in the program. Tests are mandatory for those who wanto receive semicha.

Yes, VHP grants authentic Semicha, signed by Rav Aharon Bina of Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh and Rav Aharon Goldberg (son of Rav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg). To earn Semicha, participants must pass both written and oral exams, complete a bekiyut component for broad knowledge of Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim and Mishna Berura, and successfully pass an interview. Bekiyut is only a requirement for Orach Chaim semicha. Semicha is awarded at the discretion of the program’s leadership.

The Semicha track typically requires four years of study, with a minimum of two years. A Chag HaSemicha is held in Jerusalem and New York for new musmachim.

One can receive semicha in either Orach Chaim or Yoreh Deah. Each track takes four years to complete.