New security measures were implemented this week at 1414 President Street, the dining hall of the central Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim, as access was limited to registered bochurim through fingerprint scanning and enforced by security personnel, marking the end of years of open entry.

By Anash.org reporter

A new stage in managing access to the Central Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva’s dining hall began today, as the long-installed turnstile system at 1414 President Street was activated and fully enforced for the first time.

Only bochurim officially registered with the yeshiva are now allowed to enter the dining area, with entry granted exclusively through a biometric fingerprint scanner. The gate—originally installed more than four years ago—had until now remained inactive. This morning, the system went live, with around three guards stationed at the entrance throughout the day to ensure that only those enrolled in the yeshiva’s program were granted access.

Yesterday, on Yud-Beis Sivan, security personnel were stationed outside the dining hall entrance and began approaching bochurim as they arrived. Those who are officially enrolled but had not yet completed fingerprinting were told to take care of it promptly.

In signage posted earlier this week in the dining room, dormitory, and in 770, the yeshiva announced that beginning Sunday, entry to the dining hall would be “only with fingerprint,” and that each bochur would be allowed “three accesses per day – one per meal.” The notice warned that “there will be no way to remove food or pass it to someone outside,” and added that any bochur caught scanning in another person “may lose access for a full week.” According to the hanhala, this system enforces a policy that had already been communicated months earlier. 

In a letter from the hanhala dated Yud-Tes Shevat, the yeshiva stated that “the dining hall is designated only for bochurim who are learning in 770 – those who have been officially accepted by the hanhala – and only they are permitted to use the yeshiva’s food services.” The letter explained that the policy was being implemented “due to the high number of people entering the dining hall unlawfully.”

At the same time, the hanhala stated that accommodations were being made to assist bochurim who encountered difficulties with the new system. They emphasized that “any bochur experiencing difficulties accessing the dining room should report to the office.”

The yeshiva also addressed the situation of chassanim currently staying in 770 who lack another food arrangement. According to the signage, “a special procedure” has been arranged for them, and after formal registration, they will be allowed to eat in the yeshiva. “Any bochur experiencing difficulties accessing the dining room should report to the office,” the yeshiva added.

This is not the first time the yeshiva has attempted to implement such a system. In Teves 5781, shortly after the dormitory reopened following the COVID shutdown, the turnstile was physically installed at the 1414 entrance. At that time, a letter signed by members of the hanhala stated that the installation was being done “to serve the temimim who invested in the yeshiva to improve the dining hall,” and noted that it was only for bochurim who are learning in the yeshiva. The hanhala expressed concern over “individuals coming in daily to eat or drink” who were not part of the program, saying it had caused “many problems for those committed to the yeshiva’s seder.”

That effort, however, was short-lived. In Adar 5781, two masked individuals broke the turnstile. It was never repaired or enforced, and the gate remained unused for over four years—until this week.

A source in the yeshiva noted that some bochurim had become accustomed to the previous arrangement, in which there was no obligation to the yeshiva’s seder since they weren’t enrolled in the official lists, yet they were able to eat freely, without payment or responsibility. This, the source said, came at the expense of temimim who are part of the yeshiva. The source added that the hanhala had warned about this back in Shevat, and stated, “There are no surprises here. The hefkerus that existed until now must come to an end.”

The presence of visibly armed guards near the yeshiva’s dining hall—reportedly carrying Glock 17s—gave many bochurim pause as they arrived for what should have been a standard meal. Documentation reviewed by someone familiar with the matter suggests that the current use of guards is expected to last only for the first two months. The purpose seems to be to get the system up and running in an orderly fashion and to ensure things stay intact during that initial rollout. Once it’s stable, the infrastructure should be able to function on its own without ongoing outside supervision.

Tishrei is still some time off, but with the kevutza set to double again during that time, keeping the system running may be more difficult than usual during that stretch, and it is questionable whether the system will stay in place through Tishrei. Still, once Tishrei passes, the system is expected to continue operating effectively and smoothly for the rest of the year.