Mishnah Siyum in Florida

Tuesday, Beis Iyar, there was a Siyum (conclusion) of Seder Zeraim, the first of the Six Orders of the Mishnah, at Chabad of South Broward in Hallandale Beach.

The Mishnah is the basis of the Oral Torah transmitted by G-d to Moses at Mt. Sinai. The Order of Zeraim deals primarily with Agricultural Laws. The guest speaker was Rabbi Chaim Drizin, who also led the Farbrengen.

Rabbi Chaim Itche Drizin, MA, LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist living in Aventura, Florida. He combines Narrative Therapy with ancient Torah wisdom and Kabbalistic and Chassidic thought. With his family practice and as an educational consultant for numerous private schools, he has helped hundreds of people learn how to communicate with their children and spouses in a more successful and productive way.

Beis Iyar commemorates the birthday of Rabbi Shmuel Schneersohn, the fourth Lubavitcher Rebbe, known as the Rebbe Maharash (1834-1882). Beis Iyar also marked the day 17 years ago, in which the eleven months of Kaddish for the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M Schneerson, (1902-1994) was concluded.

Every morning, after the 2nd Minyan, a Mishnah is publicly studied in Shul. Dubbed the “New York Mishnah”, this small daily Shiur enables those in a hurry, to fulfill the Mitzvah of going from Beis HaKnesses to Beis HaMedrash, even if one is rushing to work. “The New York Mishna” began three years ago, at first with five Mesechtos, in which the first letter of the five Mesechtos spelled out Yisroel, in memory of the late brother of Rabbi Raphael Tennenhaus, Rabbi Yisroel Tennenhaus, obm. After the first five Mesechtos were concluded, the study of Seder Zeraim began. The daily Mishna class has especially become popular with many Shul goers saying Kaddish. At the Siyum, Rabbi Chazzan Yossy Lebovics recited an emotional Kail Moleh Rachamim, in memory of all beloved departed affiliated with Chabad of South Broward.

Chabad of South Broward, in their 32nd (Lev) year, has in the last three years intensified their daily schedule of classes. Major daily classes includes Chassidus (Hemshech Terav) every morning from 6:15am- 6:45am, Rambam (one chapter) at 7:30am, Mishna, at 8:45am, and Gemorah (presently a blatt each day in Sotah), 45 minutes before Mincha. Other daily classes includes Sefer HaMitzvahs, Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch and Moshiach Day to Day (between Mincha-Maariv). Broward County’s first Chabad Center also runs a Kollel for Businessmen and Professionals, directed by Rabbi Mordy Feiner. The Kollel provides many one on one Torah sessions and Lunch ‘n Learns throughout South Broward.

Rabbi Tennenhaus made the Siyum of Bikkurim and Zeraim, and quoted from the Rebbe’s Siyum of 19 Kislev, 5744 on this subject. He also reminded everyone in attendance, the connection between a Siyum Mishnayos and Beis Iyar, as this was the day Kaddish was concluded for the Rebbe. ( See Hayom Yom 9 Shevat re Siyum Mishnayos after 11 months of mourning). Rabbi Drizin spoke about the importance of public Torah study, and how everyone is capable of seriously learning Torah, and that there is no excuse to say, “learning is not for me”. He quoted from Sichos, Maamorim and letters from the Rebbe, and from earlier Torah sources. The Farbrengen lasted till midnight, and numerous Shluchim participated.