Contest Marks Rabbi’s Yartzeit

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 in the goal to expand the knowledge of Halacha and Yiras Shamayim of the talmidim of our community.

The program was founded in memory of Rabbi 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 Shlomo Sternberg – Mashpia in Oholei Torah Zal spoke about the uniqueness of his zayde. Reb Zalman always lived his life according to the ways of the Torah. He did what he knew to be correct without taking into consideration what other people thought or the way they acted.

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 29 contestants which was help on Monday evening – Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan.

The panal of judeges were: Rabbi Moshe Wiener, 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 were: Eliyahu Shlomo Ezagui, Chaim Eliyahu Piekarski, Yosef Yitzchok Polter, Menachem Mendel HaLevi Abelsky, Menachem Mendel Dubrawsky, Sholom Dovber Mayzlesh, Yosef Yitzchok HaLevi Dechter, Dov HaLevi Popack, Menachem Mendel HaLevi Preiger.