NY Shul Holds a Chabad Event

by COLlive reporter

Congregation Toras Emes, a modern Orthodox synagogue in Staten Island, NY, held a Kinus Torah following the directive of the Rebbe to arrange gatherings of learning around Shavuos.

Rabbi Yochanan Ivry, rov of the shul and the Rabbinical Chaplain at MJHS Hospice and Palliative Care, said it was the third year he is hosting the gathering and that it is open to the Staten Island Jewish community.

The program on Sunday began with Hatomim Yisroel Lebovic discussing the three aspects of Matan Torah namely yerusha, mecher and matana and it’s practical applications.

Rabbi Mendy Miroznik, Executive Vice President of the Igud Harabanim – Rabbinical Alliance of America, spoke of the tremendous blessing of having a Torah gathering in Staten Island and the unity it fosters.

Rabbi Miroznik, who is also President of COJO of Staten Island, pointed out that the “gam hem” we read in parshas naso who are the unsung hero’s that do their avodas hakodesh discreetly alluding to Congregation Toras Emes which is celebrating its 40th year anniversary.

Rabbi Daniel Green, an educator at Machon Chena women’s Institute, discussed the importance of studying Torah in a most engaging and committed way.

He quoted the Rebbe who said at a Shavuos fabrenbgen in 1985 that we have until the 12th of Sivan to dedicate ourselves to the extent that one should be bothered and not be able to sleep because of a difficulty in a Tosfos or a Rambam this is the true test that one has received the Torah with joy and with inwardness.

Rabbi Dovid Leib Grossbaum, Director of Dayanus program at the Central Chabad Yeshiva – 770 Eastern Parkway, discussed the gezras chachomim of not eating food that was cooked on shabbos and the disagreement between the Rama and the Alter Rebbe if such food would be botel broiv or bshishim.

Rabbi Aron Wiajsfeld, Director of Chaplaincy at the Boro Park Care Center, discussed the tremendous brachas one receives both in this world and the next. One should never underestimate the amount of learning even in small measures and the blessings tremendous it brings.