The finale Chidon for 29 contestants of the Shoneh Halachos learning program in Oholei Torah and Lubavitch Yeshiva was held on Wednesday evening – 28 Iyar.
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.
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.
The panel of judges for the Chidon were Rabbi Moshe Wiener, Rabbi Yosef Shechter (son-in-law of Rabbi Marlow), HaTamim R’ Sholom Zirkind and HaTamim Yosef Zirkind, sons of Rabbi Yitzchok Zirkind a”h.
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 are First Place: Shmuel Lesches, Menachem Mendel Rodal; Second Place: Yisroel Krasnianski, Menachem Mendel Rotenstreich; Third Place: Shneur Zalman Heber, Shmuel Teichman, Dovid Aryeh Vaisfiche.
The Shoneh Halachos learning program was established by the Igud Menahalei Yeshivos of Crown Heights for Oholei Menachem and United Lubavitcher Yeshiva of Crown Street with the goal of expanding the knowledge of Halacha and Yiras Shamayim of the talmidim of our community.
The program was founded in memory of HaRav Marlow a”h 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 13th 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. Rabbi Lustig told some stories of how the Frierdiker Rebbe personally raised R’ Gurary after his father passed away when he was 10 years old.
mendy r. you should go from strength to strength!
this is truly an amazing peulah as this will have a positive impact for many years to come
I am sure that your father is equally proud of you guys.
ur cuzin!
You guys are geniuses!!
I’m PROUD OF YOU!!!
The Zirkind boys – we are ALL very proud of you.!!!!