Rabbi Wein traces the development of the first and greatest of the yeshivos of Eastern Europe, the Volozhiner Yeshiva. From Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin's vision to the yeshiva's growth and success, and even the disputes over who would assume leadership, Rabbi Wein takes us through all stages of its history. Though ultimately the Czarist government forced it to close, the yeshiva became the fulfillment of Rabbi Chaim Volozhiner's dreams, becoming not just a school but the blueprint of a learning style that lasts till today.

• Torah education before Volozhin
• Reb Chaim Volozhiner's historic meeting with the Vilna Gaon
• the Netziv and Rav Chaim Brisker, the great contest
• the elitism of the early yeshivos and why it disappeared

For more on the yeshiva movement, please see our series "Yeshivas of Eastern Europe" and "The Fruits of Volozhin."