After many months of vigorous studying, poring over their Yahadus books, students from around the world took their third qualifying test for the International Chidon Sefer Hamitzvos this morning.
It’s the collective marks of the three tests that will determine which students are eligible to join the international chidon shabbaton and which students will represent their base.
“The chidon used to be limited to very few contestants,” says Rabbi Sholom Ber Baumgarten, Chidon director for twenty-one years.
“Many chayolim were discouraged by the quota of only two students per grade competing. With the new program, many more chayolim feel encouraged to join—anyone who tries hard has to ability to succeed. With 2,082 children participating in the qualifying tests this year, the results of the new system speak for themselves.”
To qualify, the students take a two part test. If they receive a passing average on part one—challenging but straightforward questions, they are invited to join the Shabbaton.
Part two features more difficult questions. Earning a passing average requires determination. The two highest-scoring students in each grade—who received a passing average with the combined scores of part one and two on all three tests—will represent their school on stage at the live Chidon game show.
Once the final qualifying tests are marked by each school, the contestants and school representatives for Chidon Sefer Hamitzvos 5777 will be determined. “We look forward to announcing the names of the children who will be competing and representing their schools,” says Rabbi Yerachmiel Benjaminson, executive director of Tzivos Hashem.
The Chidon is just one part of a larger movement to reawaken a commitment to learning Rambam. Using the Living Lessons materials created by a generous grant from the Rohr Family Foundation, teachers can impart students with a thorough knowledge of all 613 mitzvos over a five-year period, from fourth through eighth grade.
“There is no need to elaborate on how much it means to the Rebbe that every man, woman, and child study the daily portion of Rambam,” said Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, vice-chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch. “Our goal with this initiative is that every child have a clear understanding of all 613 mitzvos.”
With hundreds of students around the world taking part, the pressure for Chidon 5777 is on.
If you have any questions about the Chidon or to find out more information, visit Chidon613.com or email [email protected]
I spy Shmaya! You are a champion!!! Great job kiddo!!!
P.S. Yasher Koach to the Chidon organizers. It’s great to see the children filling their minds and hearts with holiness!!
I participated many years ago and I would love to come to this years chidon, where and when will it be
My children participated many years ago and I still remember much of what I learned with them. I smile when a mitzvah learned appears in the parsha. Thank you Rabbi Weinbaum
Dear Chidon Organizers,
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! The amount of quality time I got to spend with my son, and the amount of learning he did can not be contained to just what we did for the Chidon. This was an amazing experience, May Hashem bentch all of you.
Thanks again!
As a parent I must thank rabbi Yehoshua Lustig a giant in the feild of chinuch. He has motivated our children to participate and they have learned so much because of this program.
I dont know if my child will make it into the chidon, however the chidon has made it into him and into our entire home.
Thank you Rabbi Lustig for all that you do for our children.
You did it again!
Another amazing success. Us shluchim struggle out here with so many things, however our biggest struggle is to bring up our children in a spiritual wildness.
What you do with my shliach and the chidon has changed the face of Shlichus.
I used to feel like I was winning on the shlichus front and loosing with my very own children
Today with the programs you offer, we get so much nachas from our children and they too are excited about being on shlichus
I wish we could see the smile on the Rebbes face
I dont know who pays for this, however who ever is sponsoring this program is very lucky.
What a massive Zechus.
I watch what Merkos and Tzivos Hashem does for our kids and I am in awe. You guys have your fingers on the pulse.
What an incredible vision to have 2,000 plus kids learn for so many hours of their own time.
This is priceless
You are an amazing man. I help each year with the chidon and I look forward to your call again this year. Keep up the great work you do for our kids
good luck to all chayolim!!
I understand that its important to include many more children. However its so important that at the same time you did not dumb things down and you kept it to be very challenging for the really bright kids. My child practicaly waists her time in school as its geared to the avarage child. Tzivos Hashem has made the chidon shabaton accessible to all children yet kept the chidon to really challenge the best and the brightest. That is a brilliant balance.
Boruch Hashem my child got 90 on the first test and 95 on test 2 and three. She knows the mitzvos inside out. Yet there are girls in the class who got 100 on each test. With the old system she would be out. Now she cant go on stage as a school representative, however the fact that she can participate in the chidon shabaton is so important
I am still very thankful for this amazing program. The amount of knowledge my child and I gained from this program is incredible.
We both put on in many hours of learning. We both gained so much knowledge and that no one can take away from us
I did the Chidon last year and I have to thank Tzivos Hashem for this amazing opportunity to study the mitzvos and the experience of a lifetime at the shabbaton
its still very hard to make it in. You really have to know your stuff
When is the chidon?