By Merkos 302 News Blog
Photos by Bentzi Sasson
A few weeks after registration opened for Pesach ‘Merkos Shlichus’, the Bochurim who signed up were called to Merkos’ offices at Chabad HQ where they displayed their expertise at leading a public Seder and their knowledge of the necessary Halachos.
What should be done if a guest brings a bottle of Vodka as a gift for the Seder? How to respond to an offer of food or drink without offending the host? What is the required consumption size for Matzah?
These and similar questions were among those presented to the Bochurim in the form of a written test which they completed at the HQ or online, depending on where they study, to help get a clear picture of each rabbinical student’s skill set and knowledge. As a follow up to the test, they were interviewed by Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, vice chairman of Merkos, who is responsible for the vast network of ‘Merkos Shlichus’.
“These Bochurim will be meeting people in remote locations for whom this may be the only meeting with a fellow Jew all year,” explains Rabbi Kotlarsky. “It is of paramount importance that this encounter be as positive and meaningful as possible, and therefore we must equip the Bochurim with the appropriate materials and knowledge.”
The traditional preparatory seminar will be held after Rosh Chodesh Nissan, and in the following days, the selected Bochurim will depart to hundreds of destinations around the world.
“Over 600 Bochurim registered for ‘Merkos Shlichus’ this year, and they will travel to 270 destinations worldwide. We are currently preparing the logistical details, including flights, accommodations, food and supplies,” says Rabbi Mendel Kotlarsky who is coordinating the project.
then surely they have been told not to bring any gifts because they might be chametz and will cause great problems. It has to start somewhere – either they read about it so it should have been written in bold or they were told about it and then the teller should have been informed
Mendy K. ZAY MATZLIACH! FUR GEZUNTERHYT UN KUM GEZUNTERHYT . AND MAKE A KIDUSH HASHM. KOSHEREN FREILACHER YOM TOV!
I spy Shlomie!
a russian anash family invited a guest to the seder.
he came with a bottle of vodka for a gift.
the only solution is have him or a goy spill it out in the toilet bowl. the bottle is muktza so u can’t move it.
good luck and I hope you pass the test
Did they get the Vodka-at-a-seder question from you? 🙂