Wouldn’t it be great if there were more trained Chabad Rabbonim and Dayanim serving our communities?
Chabad is growing at an enormous rate both in Shlichus and Anash communities. The need for Halachic guidance and direction is not able to be fully met. Our current Rabbonim are inundated with Sheilos and cannot service everyone no matter how hard they try. The Rav or Dayan is more than a Halachic authority; he is a leader and role model for the community. The presence of a person of such stature in our midst provides us with a source of inspiration and spiritual growth.
Quality institutions for learning of Halacha, practical Rabbonos and Dayanos are few and far between. Our Yeshivas do a great job at teaching Gemorah, Chassidus and basic Halacha, but their focus (and quite rightly so) is not on advanced Halacha.
So where can a dedicated, intelligent, passionate and chassidisher yungerman go to fulfill his dream of becoming a qualified Rav or Dayan of the highest caliber? Where can such a talented yungerman learn with the confidence that he is being groomed for excellence in the fields of Halacha and Horaah?
The address is, Kollel Chabad of Rechovot, Israel; “Beth Medrash L’Halacha UMishpat” under the leadership of the Mizrachi brothers and HaRav HaGaon Rabbi Meir Aharon. Also known as “Or Yacov Or Zarua,” this unique Kollel has increased its activities in recent years.
Chabad Rabbonim and Dayanim of the highest caliber are being produced within its four walls of Halacha. These Rabbonim and Dayanaim all pass the famously difficult Rabbinic examinations administered by “Heichal Shlomo;” the Israeli Rabbinut’s ordination authority. Not only do they pass, but the majority pass with distinction.
We are proud that the Kollel received special attention from the Rebbe. The Kollel was Zoche to receive a check towards its operation costs written by his holy hand.
The Kollel yungerleit dedicate years of deep and broad study to all four Chalokim of Shulchan Aruch and its commentaries; both classical and contemporary. The Dayanim-in-training specialize in the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch and the Piskei Dinim of Raboseinu Nessienu. Their study regimen is strict and demanding, leading to distinction in the fields of Halacha and Horaah. The yungerleit receive full training in practical matters of Halacha including; family purity, mikvaos, gittin and dinei mishpot. A strong emphasis is placed on coaching the Rabbonim-to-be in the development of leadership skills necessary to be effective community leaders.
Since the founding of the Kollel, thousands of learned yungerleit have passed through its doors. They all take the famously difficult Rabbinic examinations administered by “Heichal Shlomo;” the Israeli Rabbinut’s ordination authority. Over 35 of these Rabbanim-to-be have passed the “Heichal Shlomo” Rabbanic ordination examinations with distinction.
After years of dedication and achievement, the Rabbonim and Dayanim find Shlichus and Rabbinic placements in communities throughout the world. There, they provide Rabbinic advice, support and legal instruction, all with a Chassidisher flavor.
Take alumnus, Rabbi Nachmanson, a respected Dayan in Rechovot whose Halachic guidance reaches thousands of Shluchim via his seforim on Hilchos Shabbos, legal issues and questions and answers from the field of Shlichus.
Rabbi Kvin, a Dayan and renowned member of the Beth Din of S. Paulo, Brazil. His guidance in Halacha, Jewish life and observance for the Jews of Brazil has become legendary. Rabbi Chaim Hillel Raskin of Kfar Chabad Bet, has been praised for his weekly halacha columns printed in a number of Chabad publications. His Halachic opinions are a helpful resource for thousands of Lubavitchers around the world. Rabbi Yitzchok Shlomo Kravitsky heads a Kollel chassidus in Nachalat Har Chabad. His weekly shiurim in Chassidus and in Halacha, have been an inspiration for the whole kehilah.
These Dayanim are the crème de la crème and the pride of Lubavitch. The more advanced students, under the tutelage of the experienced teachers, run a responsa service. Hosted on a dedicated website; www.Halacha.co. Shluchim with pressing Sheilos write to the Dayanim on-call and receive Halachic answers and guidance, which they can follow with confidence.
We are proud of the achievements of this unique Kollel and we are now expanding it, in an effort to swell the ranks of qualified Rabbonim and Dayanim serving Shluchim and Anash worldwide.
