Boys Compete on Tefillin Laws

Halichos Olam is a program for seventh grade boys of Oholei Torah and United Lubavitch Yeshiva of Crown Street to encourage and guide them in the study of Hilchos Tefillin.

Seventh grade is the year when most boys begin wearing Tefillin two months before their Bar Mitzvah. It was established by the Igud Menahalei Yeshivos of Crown Heights in the goal to expand the knowledge of Halacha and Yiras Shamayim of the talmidim of our community. The boys study Hilchos Tefillin from the sefer “Shvach Yokor” authored by Rabbi Shmuel Hurwitz.

The program was founded in memory of Rav Marlow a”h whom the Rebbe referred to as ‘Ish Halacha’ – a man of Jewish Law; Rav Marlow’s life was dedicated to the knowledge and clarification of Halacha. The learning thereof is L’Zechus Reb Shimon Aaron HaKohen ben Kreina who was a talmid of Rav Marlow a”h.

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 finale of the program was a Chidon amongst 28 contestants. Yosef Brikman from Oholei Menachem said a D’var Torah about Tefillin. Rabbi Shmuel Hurwitz and Rabbi Hershel Morozow were the panel of judges. The audience of parents, melamdim, community members and fellow students were astounded at the ability of the participants to quote the Halacha almost verbatim.

The event was chaired by Rabbi Hershel Lustig – Dean of Oholei Menachem who also serves as coordinator of the program.