Montreal Zal: Real Milestones, Decade by Decade

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What makes something real?

Chassidus explains that a real thing is something that transcends the normal cycles of nature.(1) As Chazal teach(2), a river that flows for at least 7 years without drying up, is considered mayim chayim, living waters. 7 is the cycle of nature. A river that flows for a minimum of 7 years transcends the natural cycle and is thus alive, true, real!

Al achas kama v’kama a river that flows for 7 years plus another 70! A river that flows for 77 years is the epitome of real, of mayim chayim, of waters of life.

Montreal Zal, a river of living water (water = Torah), has been flowing for 77 years without drying or pausing, only increasing and growing. For 77 years Montreal Zal has inspired individuals, elevated communities, and impacted the world in a very real way.

Welcome to THE MONTREAL THING. The following is a decade-by-decade highlight real (!) of how the Montreal Zal was there to trail blaze and celebrate every milestone in recent memory, a torch-bearer of light and Chassidus in an increasingly unpredictable world.

(If you or someone you know has a personal highlight from one of these 8 decades, please share it at [email protected])

1. See Likkutei Sichos vol. 6, p. 92 fn. #38 and sources cited there.
2. Parah 8:9.

One of the most beautiful buildings on Parc Avenue, the Yeshiva was located at the Hercule Guerin home from 1942-1962.

1942 ﹣ תש״ב

As the horrific fires of Europe consumed, the Frierdiker Rebbe established Tomchei Temimim in Montreal to help rejuvenate and resuscitate a broken world.

Rabbi Yitzchak Hendel ZTL giving a Shiur in the early years of the Yeshiva

1951 ﹣ תשי״א

As the Rebbe ushered in dor hashvi’ih with Basi Legani, kol hashvi’in chavivin (7 is real!), Montreal Zal instilled the Rebbe message upon its students, educating the leaders who would transform modern day American and world Jewry.

The Yeshiva in 1957 along with a list identifying almost each Tomim.

1967 ﹣ תשכ״ז

As the Rebbe launched the Tefillin campaign, solidifying Jewish pride and supporting and securing our brethren fighting for their lives in the Holy Land, Montreal Zal was right there in this historical endeavor.

Dedication of the new building on Westbury, 23 Iyar, 1962

1978 ﹣ תשל״ח
Rosh Chodesh Kislev

A Farbrengen in Yeshiva in 1973 (photo taken by Neil Folberg)

1986 ﹣ תשמ״ז
Didan Natzach

A Tomim at a Farbrengen with Reb Volf Greenglass ZTL in the early 1980s.

1992 ﹣ תשנ״ב
v’Ata t’Tzaveh

A Farbrengen with Rabbi Leibel Kaplan in the mid-1990s.

2008 ﹣ תשס״ח

Following a fire in the dormitory on Yud Tes Kislev, 2000, while the bochurim were in middle of Fabrengen, the building was razed and a beautiful new Yeshiva built in its spot. In 2007, Zal moved to its current location.

The ribbon cutting ceremony of the new building.

2019 ﹣ תשע״ט
Now

Bochurim learning in the new Zal L’Erech 2010.

2029 ﹣ תשפ״ט

Montreal Zal, hundreds of Talmidim, reunited with our Rebbe in Yerushalayim ir hakodesh.

77 years of real impact. 7 is real, dor hasvi’ih ushering in the Redemption.

We need your help to do it.

Join the campaign at charidy.com/Montrealzal

That is real.