Metrowest Boston’s first ever annual Kinus Torah took place this past Wednesday night at its headquarters in Natick.
In response to this week’s JEM video highlighting the Rebbe’s campaign to organize community Torah conferences during or near Pesach, the Chabad Center of Natick-Metrowest promptly arranged a Kinus Torah the very next evening—Wednesday, 19 Nissan 5785.
The gathering was attended by dozens of local community members, including Rabbis and Yeshiva students. A spirited evening of Torah learning unfolded, with engaging Halachic questions and profound Torah insights shared and discussed.
Featured Speakers Included: Binyamin Gvirtsman, a student of Yeshiva s Lubavitch Baltimore, presented a compelling Halachic analysis on why the bracha of Shehecheyanu is omitted during Chol Hamoed and on the final days of Pesach.
Rabbi Chaim Prus, Director and Rabbi of Bet Menachem Chabad Newton and Chabad of Greater Boston, delivered a deep philosophical and Halachic explanation behind using three matzos yet four cups of wine at the Seder. He illuminated how these elements represent the dual themes of Divine redemption and human initiative—core concepts reflected in the language of the Haggadah.
Rabbi Mendel Tubul, member of Kollel Menachem in Surfside, Florida, explored an intriguing question: If the Siyum for the Firstborn is held earlier—like this year on Thursday before Pesach—can a boy who becomes Bar Mitzvah on Friday or Shabbos be exempt from fasting based on a Siyum he heard before his halachic obligation began? The discussion drew
comparisons to cases involving converts or children who performed mitzvos prior to being halachically obligated.
Rabbi Yakov Lazaros, Director and Rabbi of Chabad of Framingham, shared a fascinating comment from Rabbi Yaakov Emden on Tractate Sotah. He explained the well-known Talmudic statement comparing finding a marriage partner to the splitting of the sea, and showed how Rabbi Emden’s insight resolves a seeming contradiction in the text.
Rabbi Mendel Fogelman, Director and Rabbi of Chabad of Laurel, Maryland, opened an engaging discussion on the modern question of using AI to answer Halachic inquiries. Can one rely on AI, or is a human Rabbi required? He raised thought-provoking ideas about Divine assistance in Torah rulings—does this blessing apply more to the one asking the question or to the Rabbi answering it?
Rabbi Levi Fogelman, Regional Director at Chabad Center of Natick-Metrowest, concluded the evening with reflections on the unique Torah style of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Schneerson, father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, whose birthday is the 18th of Nissan. Rabbi Levi Yitzchok’s writings reveal deep Kabbalistic insights that simultaneously touch all four layers of Torah interpretation: Peshat, Remez, Drush, and Sod. A particularly striking example discussed was his commentary on the splitting of the middle matzah at the Seder.
People came away inspired and rejuvenated, looking forward to similar events in the future.
Fantastic place, growing community, wonderful Rabbi!