About Shmutz
BH · By bochurim, for bochurim. The independent voice of the Chabad yeshiva world.
Shmutz exists because the yeshiva experience is rich, funny, real, and worth documenting. From farbrengen recaps to dorm room dramas, from food investigations to mashpia profiles — if it happened in a Chabad yeshiva, it belongs here. Written honestly, with humor, and with respect for the community we love.
📜 Our Policy on Names — Lashon Hara
Shmutz does not publish anyone's real name. Ever. Not bochurim. Not mashpiaim. Not hanhala. Not anyone.
This is not just a style choice — it is rooted in the halachic prohibition of lashon hara. Even positive or neutral coverage can cross lines when real identities are attached. Our editors remove all identifying names from every submission before publication. We ask that submitters do the same in their drafts.
Comments on our articles are fully anonymous — there is no name field, no login, no way to identify who wrote what. We believe this creates a safer, more honest space for the community to speak.
✍️ How It Works
Anyone can submit a story. Bochurim, alumni, parents, anyone who has something to say about life in Chabad yeshiva. Submissions go to our editors, who review every piece, rewrite it in our house style, remove any names, and post it in the right section. Usually within 24-48 hours of submission.
There is no algorithm, no clickbait, no agenda. Just yeshiva life, written well.
📂 What We Cover
- Yeshiva Life — Hanhala decisions, schedule changes, big moments in the zal
- Dorm Chronicles — Room swaps, mystery roommates, dorm politics
- Food — Cholent investigations, kiddush rankings, dining room dramas
- Mashpia — Farbrengens, shmuessen, advice that hit different
- Learning — Seder culture, semicha journeys, chavrusa wars
- People — Profiles, traditions, characters that define the yeshiva
- Throwbacks — Stories from back in the day — last year, a few zmanim ago, the juicy ones
🔒 Privacy & Anonymity
We don't track who visits or who comments. Submissions are reviewed by humans, not algorithms. Email addresses (if provided on submissions) are only used so we can contact you with questions — they're never published, sold, or shared.
👥 Who We Are
We're members of the Chabad community who believe the yeshiva world deserves its own publication. We are not affiliated with any yeshiva, hanhala, or official Chabad institution. Shmutz is independent.
For questions, story tips, or anything else, reach us via the Contact page.
B'ezras Hashem · L'chayim · Tizku l'mitzvos