By COLlive reporter
Leading Chabad rabbonim, Roshei Yeshiva, and Mashpiim from around the world are excitedly making their way to New York this week to participate in the Global Yarchei Kallah gathering.
They will first daven at the Ohel of the Rebbe and then travel to the Catskills, where they will spend 4 days engrossed in scholarly Torah learning at Camp Gan Israel in Parksville.
Their excitement is twofold.
First, they will be commemorating Chof Av, the yartzeit of the Rebbe’s father, Harav Levi Yitzchok Schneerson OBM, the great gaon and mekubal who exemplified self-sacrifice to preserving the Jewish flame under Communist rule.
The Rebbe deeply cherished – both privately and publicly – the Yarchei Kallah being held in memory of his father. He even mentioned how it was the fulfillment of his practice of the Mitzvah of honoring one’s parents (even after their passing).
Each year since 5734, esteemed rabbis gather at the camp to spend time learning and discussing various topics and areas in Torah, Halacha, and Chassidus, including the Torah of the Rebbe’s father, which he wrote in Soviet exile.
When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, and travel was restricted, the Yarchei Kallah was moved online and held virtually. The broadcast ran for an impressive and unbroken 15 hours, sharing shiurim with a worldwide audience.
This year will be the first time it will be held in person again, which is the second reason for the excitement among the respected attendees. They will be coming not only from the surrounding area, but also from Eretz Yisrael, France, Argentina and Brazil.
The rabbis are taking time off from their own busy schedules to make the trip so that they could share Torah insights and learn from their colleagues. It provides them an opportunity to discuss and develop a Torah perspective on contemporary issues facing the Jewish people as a whole.
Standing at its helm is Rabbi Avraham Shemtov, who heads the camp for the last 68 years, and is the Chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad International. He is joined by the camp director Rabbi Yossi Futerfas and his brother Rabbi Shlomo Futerfas who manages the food services.
Over the years, Rabbi Shemtov merited to witness the Rebbe taking a personal interest in the proceedings of Yarchei Kallah. The Rebbe even inquired who received which aliya to the Torah on Shabbos.
This year’s Melave Malka will be held on Motzoei Shabbos Parshas Ekev, 10:30 PM at the main shul of Camp Gan Israel, 487 Parksville Rd, Parksville, NY 12768 (Exit 99).
As is known, the Rebbe encouraged Chassidim to participate in the Melave Malka on Motzoei Shabbos. During a farbrengen on Shabbos Parshas Ekev 5737, the Rebbe gave a public “Yshar Koach to those who traveled to Gan Yisroel to participate in the Yarchei Kallah, and through this, to those learning Torah in the entire world.”
