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 style of psak taught in the program follows the mesorah that Rav Ami Merzel received from HaRav Avigdor Nebenzahl שליט״א, who in turn received from HaRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach זצ״ל. The learning progresses from the Gemara through the Tur, Beis Yosef, Shulchan Aruch, and Mishnah Berurah, while also incorporating the rulings of contemporary poskim — such as HaRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, HaRav Moshe Feinstein, the Shevet HaLevi, as well as Sephardi poskim including Chacham Ovadia Yosef and the Or L’Tzion.

Yes. The program includes both Ashkenazi and Sephardi halachic rulings. When relevant, the shiurim and source sheets note the differing opinions, with guidance from leading Sephardi poskim such as Chacham Ovadia Yosef and the Or L’Tzion.

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.

We assist in finding chavrusas, both live and virtual, depending on location and availability. Learners are also encouraged to find a chavrusa from their own network.

There is a WhatsApp group with all the learners where you can ask questions and discuss the halacha. A dedicated sho’el u’meishiv who follows the live material is also available, as well as Rav Ami Merzel Shlita, the Maggid Shiur. Learners can reach out to the sho’el u’meishiv via WhatsApp or email.

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.

Here’s how the content access works: The learning builds course by course. Each z’man you receive the current course, and whatever you’ve received stays in your dashboard permanently — even if you later cancel.

Tuition is $100 per month or $1000 per year. If you sign up with a  chavrusa there is a 25% discount for each chavrusa. Scholarships may be available for eligible participants.

You can cancel at any time. 

There are a plethora of free Torah resources available to download on almost any topic under the sun. What makes Virtual Halacha a paying program is the fact that it’s a clear path to mastering areas of halacha, like an online course. Your payment covers the costs of providing:

• A structured curriculum
• Curated resource sheets
• Graded tests
• A high level of personalized support

Despite our costs in running and staffing the program, we do not wish payment to be a barrier of entry for anyone who wishes to learn. If the $100/month fee is unaffordable for you, please contact us to discuss.

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.