By COLlive reporter
Photos by Itzik Roytman
The Global Yarchei Kallah opened this week at Camp Gan Israel in Parksville, New York, bringing together esteemed rabbis and scholars from around the world to immerse themselves in Torah learning.
The gathering commemorates Chof Av, the yartzeit of the Rebbe‘s father, Harav Levi Yitzchok Schneerson OBM, the great gaon, and mekubal who exemplified self-sacrifice to preserving the Jewish flame under Communist rule.
The Rebbe had deeply cherished – both privately and publicly – the Yarchei Kallah being held in memory of his father. He had even mentioned how it was the fulfillment of his practice of the Mitzvah of honoring one’s parents (even after their passing).
The excitement and camaraderie among the attendees were palpable as they arrived in the Catskills on Thursday afternoon after davening at the Rebbe’s Ohel in Queens. The return to an in-person gathering after the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic added a special significance to this year’s event.
Since its founding in 5734 (1974), the Yarchei Kallah has served as a venue for the great rabbis, Roshei Yeshiva, Mashpiim and Poskim to exchange opinions and rulings in various areas of Torah, including Gemara, Halacha and Chassidus.
Organizing it since its inception is Rabbi Avraham Shemtov, who has headed the camp for the last 68 years and is Chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad International. Over the years, Rabbi Shemtov had merited to witness the Rebbe taking a personal interest in the proceedings of Yarchei Kallah.
Grasiouly hosting the gathering is the camp director Rabbi Yossi Futerfas and his brother Rabbi Shlomo Futerfas who manages the food services. Coordinating it are Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad) and senior Shliach to Washington, DC, and Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin, Outreach Director of Chabad Tucson in Arizona.
SAMPLING OF DEPTH
After sitting for a hearty lunch, the rabbis sat in an outdoor tent and spent continuous hours learning Torah, drawing in staff members and even campers witnessing the passion of the rabbis for study and a sampling of
the vast knowledge they possess.
Rabbi Eliezer Shemtov, Head Shliach to Uruguay, and Rabbi Sholom Ber Chaikin, Rov of Chabad in Cleveland, Ohio emceed the first and second sessions, who ran late into the night.
The opening sessions included shiurim by 3 brothers: Rabbi Yechiel Kalmanson, Rosh Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim of Burnoy, France; Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Kalmanson, Rosh Yeshiva of Chabad in New Haven, Connecticut; and Rabbi Yisroel Shimon Kalmenson, member of Lahak Publications which publishes the Rebbe’s teachings.
Other speakers were the Chief Rabbi of Kiryat Gat Moshe Havlin; Rabbi Leibel Shuchat, Rosh Yeshiva of Caracas in Venezuela, on Hilchos Beis Habchira, regarding the building of the Beis Hamikdash; and Rabbi Yitzchok Kenig, Rosh Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim of Lud, Israel, on the power of a Beis Din to cancel debts.
Rabbi Yaakov Kuperman, Magid Shiur in the Chabad Yeshiva in Kiryat Gat, discussed whether one who has to eat on Tisha B’Av says “Nacheim” when bentching or not, and why it is different than other fast days.
Rabbi Yaakov Goldschmid, a Rosh Yeshiva of the Central Tomchei Tmimim in Kfar Chabad, discussed whether marriage is a Mitzvah and which Mitzvos one should do himself, whereas others he can appoint someone to do on his behalf.
Each of the shiurim brought along lively discussions from the participants who argued and debated with the presenter on what he spoke about.
The wider public will be table to get a taste of that this Motzoei Shabbos Parshas Ekev at the festive Melave Malka of the Yarchei Kallah to begin 10:30 PM at the main shul of Camp Gan Israel, 487 Parksville Rd, Parksville, NY 12768 (Exit 99). A special program is planned in honor of Chof Av and the Shnas Hakhel, including music by renowned Chassidic singer Levy Falkowitz.
