Two Yeshivos Hold Competition

By COLlive reporter
Photos by Shmuel Amit

The sound of applause reverberated the Oholei Torah ballroom in Crown Heights on Wednesday, 20th of Sivan, as two Yeshivos congratulated the finalists of the Moshiach and Geula Chidon.

The learning contest brought together about 200 bochurim of Oholei Torah Mesivta and Yeshivas T”T Lubavitch in Queens, in a display of Achdus and commitment to learning about Moshiach.

For the past two months, students of both Yeshivos delved into many topics of Inyonei Geula U’Moshiach, following a unique curriculum made especially for this Chidon.

Leading up to the Chidon, talmidim from Oholei Torah came to Queens and together all the bochurim learned in a Seder of unity. The Kol Torah from so many bochurim learning together was incredible, the organizers said.

After intense learning and testing, the seven Bochurim from each Yeshiva, with the highest grades became the contestants in the Moshiach Chidon.

The contestants immediately began rigorously studying in preparation for the chidon. The bochurim went all out, helping each other prepare, sharing notes, practicing together and cheering each other on.

When the day of the Moshiach Chidon finally arrived, excitement ran high as all the bochurim from both Yeshivos filled the Oholei Torah ballroom.

The event began with an address by Rabbi Zusha Wilhelm, Menahel of Oholei Torah. He explained that just as the Rambam finishes his Sefer with the Halachos about Moshiach (showing that all the previous Halachos lead to this goal), so too we are finishing the Shnas Halimudim with a Moshiach Chidon.

Rabbi Yossi Marlow, Shliach in North Miami Beach in Florida, spoke to the bochurim in honor of his father’s yahrtzeit, Rabbi Kalman Yehuda Marlow OBM.

As the Chidon proceeded, it was clear that all the contestant were BH thoroughly prepared for the chidon. They each knew the material perfectly! The judges, representatives from the Hanholos of both Yeshivos, had a tough job narrowing down the contestants to three finalists.

When the questioning concluded, Rabbi Mendel Scharf, Menahel of Queens Yeshiva, announced the winners:

1st place – Hatomim Mendel Rodal (Queens), won a dollar from the Rebbe.

2nd place – Hatomim Meir Blizinsky (Oholei Torah), won over $300 worth of Seforim.

3rd place – Hatomim Levi Cohen (Queens), also won over $300 worth of Seforim.

Organizers said this project “surely brought the Rebbe tremendous nachas, and will accomplish what the Rebbe said, that this is truly the straight, easy and quick path to bring the revelation of Moshiach.”

Mazal tov to all the contestants:

From Oholei Torah; Tzemach Baron, Meir Blizinsky, Mendel Hertzel, Shalom Ber Liberow, Shimon Lishner, Avraham Sorkin, Tzemach Schanowitz
From Queens; Zalmy Eidelman, Shmuel Braun, Mendel Heidingsfels, Levi Cohen, Schneur Pevzner, Mendel Rodal, and Chaim Shuchat.

The organizers thanked all those that made this event possible, namely Rabbi Scharf, Rabbi Wilhelm, Rabbi Zalmen Laufer, Rabbi Eli Landa, as well as the Talmidei HaShluchim of both Yeshivos, particularly Hatomim Shamai Eidelman and Hatomim Mendel Wuench.