A double siyum was held in Albany, NY, celebrating the achievements of individuals who successfully completed the Semichas Chaver Program – Chabad program on the laws of Hilchos Shabbos: Kabolas Shabbos, Candle lighting and kiddush.
In addition to the Siyum of SCP, it was also the Siyum HaRambam.
The Rambam Siyum was held to commemorate the completion of both the 1-chapter-3-year cycle and 3-chapter-1-year cycle of Rambam. Addressing the siyum were Rabbi Yisroel Rubin, head shliach and Rov of the Albany community. Rabbi Rubin made the Siyum and spoke about the Rambam in general and particularly the concept of the Rambam’s Nosei Kelim arms—bearers uniquely defending the Rambams opinion in contrast to the Meforshim that flanks the pages of Gemara. Rabbi Nachman Simon restarted the daily Rambam study. Maimonides School 8th grader Yehudah Laber spoke about the Rambam Daily study track, particularly some highlights regarding the Sefer Hamitzvos and the number 14.
Rabbi Mordechai Rubin, who emceed both Siyumim and shared fascinating insights into the siyum and takana of daily Rambam, also runs the Semichas Chaver program in Albany. The Shiur is joined weekly by a growing number of participants and he is proud of the great success that the program has seen.
“The positive feedback has been amazing. Never before have they learned the most practical halachos with such depth and clarity,” said Rabbi Mordechai Rubin. “The practical Q&As, sourcebooks and PowerPoints make the experience very engaging. In addition, the notes, Q&As and comic strips really bring the halachos home. A huge side benefit is the achdus and comradery created among the participants.”
Some of the Highlights from the participants that passed the test and received their certificates:
Ruvain Kudan stated that the SCP learning was both enlightening and enjoyable at the same time. “It was amazing how practical and relevant the learning was. For instance, when my wife went away for Shabbos I was very glad to have learned in SCP that, unlike women, a man makes the blessing on the Shabbos candles before he lights the candles.”
Ted Levin shared, “SCP was a great shiur. This was really my first formal study of any topic in yiddishkeit. The laws of honoring shabbos were interesting and relevant and the class had an easygoing and friendly atmosphere. I really enjoyed the diversity of halachic opinions presented in the class material as they really brought out in practical terms the competing issues and their relative priorities that go into rendering a halachic decision. Needless to say, I’ve signed up for the next zman!”
Yosef Vinisky said, “I enjoyed the emphasis on various circumstances surrounding candle lighting, making kiddush, general Shabbos prep., Shabbos davening, etc. as well as mystical aspects of Shabbos. Very relevant and practical. Highly recommend it!”
Yeshua Sussman shared, “I enjoyed SCP’s collaborative environment. We all shared and analyzed ideas together. And I also liked the variety of sources from different perspectives. Hatzlacha in your learning!”
Those who passed the final test received their diplomas, signed by Chief Rabbi of Yerushalayim, Rishon L’Tziyon, Rabbi Shlomo Amar; Rosh Yeshivah of YU – Rabbi Hershel Shechter and prominent Chabad poskim Rabbi Gedalya Oberlander, Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Raskin and Rabbi Yehoram Ulman. They were also signed by the local Rov Rabbi Y. Rubin and the maggid shiur Rabbi Mordechai Rubin.
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Semichas Chaver (SCP) is an organization led by Rabbi Elyada Goldwicht that provides a curriculum to teach in-depth halacha classes. The program is currently in over 200 locations with over 3,000 weekly talmidim. The classes are a text-based study of the background and underlying principles of the halacha. The curriculum starts with the Gemara and Shulchan Aruch and follows the chain of the halacha to the contemporary Poskim.
Semichas Chaver – Chabad (SCP-Chabad) is a branch of Semichas Chaver directed by Rabbi Betzalel Bassman and Rabbi Avrohom Jacks. SCP-Chabad is working in conjunction with numerous Lubavitcher Rabbonim to adapt the curriculum to follow the opinions of Alter Rebbe, Tzemach Tzedek, and Chabad Poskim.
SCP-Chabad and its Chabad House branch HalachaU are currently in 50 communities with approximately 1000 weekly participants.
The curriculum is approximately an 8-year program divided into 6-month courses. Each 6-month course is an independent study. After each 6-month course, the students review the material and take a test. Those who passed the test receive a prestigious Semichas Chaver plaque signed by leading Rabbonim in the world and Chabad. SCP-Chabad is endorsed by HaRav Gedaliya Oberlander shlit”a and HaRav Levi Raskin shlit”a.
mazel toy yehudah laber on ur siyum