The first test of the second cohort for semicha at Machon Limud Halacha – Lemaan Yilmedu, for the class in Crown Heights, took place last Wednesday. This was the day after a separate test was given to students who do not live in Crown Heights, which took place via Zoom.
Around the table sat about 25 men of varying ages over a twenty-year age range and of varying backgrounds, with all of them having one thing in common: the willingness and readiness to work on earning a semicha certificate as the Rebbe asked, that every person before they marry should earn a certificate of semicha l’rabbanus and if this is not possible, then to make up for it after the wedding.
The test was given by the Mara d’Asra and member of the Badatz of Crown Heights, Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun, who surprised them with particularly interesting questions that required not only knowledge of the halacha but thought in how to apply the halacha in situations that do not appear in Shulchan Aruch or the nosei keilim.
As he began, Rabbi Braun wished the director of the machon, Rabbi Zushe Wilhelm, that Hashem send him a speedy refuah shleima and that the merit of the Torah study of hundreds of students around the world stand by him.
At the end of the test, Rabbi Yossi Barber, the maggid shiur, thanked Rabbi Braun for coming and testing the students at length and heard how pleased Rabbi Braun was with the students’ knowledge.
Details about the program can be found at: www.lemaanyilmedu.com
Such a special project. Thank you Rabbi Wilhelm for all your amazing work!!