Boys Compete in Halacha Chidon

The finale of the Shone Halachos program of Crown Heights was a Chidon amongst 31 contestants, held on Monday evening – Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan.

Shoneh Halachos is a program for eighth grade boys to encourage and guide them in the study of Halacha with the Alter Rebbe’s Psak which is clearly explained through notations made by Rabbi Levi Bistritzky a”h – former Rav of Tzfat.

It was established by the Igud Menahalei Yeshivos of Crown Heights for Oholei Menachem and United Lubavitcher Yeshiva of Crown Street with the goal to expand the knowledge of Halacha and Yiras Shamayim of the talmidim of our community.

Rabbi Moshe Wiener, Rabbi Yosef Shechter [son-in-law of Rabbi Marlow a”h] and HaTamim R’ Sholom Zirkind son of Rabbi Yitzchok Zirkind a”h formed the panel of judges for the evening.

The audience of parents, melamdim, community members and fellow students were astounded at the ability of the participants to quote the Halocho almost verbatim. The event was chaired by Rabbi Hershel Lustig – Dean of Oholei Menachem who also serves as coordinator of the program.

The winners of the Chidon were: Yisroel Brook, Chaim Eliezer HaLevi Heber, Menachem Mendel Baran, Moshe Dovid Huminer, Yisroel Yaakov HaKohen Blasberg, Yecheskel Meir Bensimchon, and Tzvi Yisroel Yoel HaKohen Cohen.

The Chidon was founded in memory of HaRav Marlow obm whom the Rebbe referred to as ‘Ish Halacha’ – a man of Jewish Law; HaRav Marlow’s life was dedicated to the knowledge and clarification of Halacha.

This evening commemorated the 12th yahrzeit of HaRav Marlow which is on 20 Sivan.

The learning thereof is leilui nishmas HaChosid Reb Schneur Zalman Gurary a”h to whom the interests of the Rebbe were very dear. The program is sponsored by Y. Sternberg, grandson of Reb Zalman and surely this serves as a fitting tribute to an individual who was legendary for his hiskashrus, limud and hidur in performing mitzvos.

Eligibility to be a participant in the Chidon is through receiving above an 80% on written tests. Each boy receives monetary reward for excelling in this area and boys that join in the Chidon receive additional money plus seforim.