Chabad Representatives Launch Worldwide Talmud Study for Leiby Kletzky
Chabad representatives in communities around the world launched a worldwide Talmud study program in memory of Leiby Kletzky.
The 8 year-old Brooklyn boy was brutally murdered on July 13 after he was kidnapped when he asked someone to help him find his way home. The tragedy left the local Jewish and broader community devastated, with many reaching out to do something to offset the darkness of this tragedy.
The Leiby Kletzky Memorial Foundation, established by Leiby’s parents, which has succeeded in raising $247,983 in the two weeks since its establishment in Leiby’s memory, is one example of the prevalent goodwill by anyone who has learned of this tragedy. And now, thousands are expected to dedicate Talmud study in his memory as well.
Chabad representative in Cape Town, SA Rabbi Asher Deren first floated the idea on an internal forum for Chabad Shluchim.
“While studying the entire Mishna in memory of the deceased is widespread, rarely is the entire Talmud covered in the individual’s memory,” explained Rabbi Deren.
“But rarely was the international Jewish community united in this way, when Leiby’s shining face captured the hearts of every Jewish person.”
The idea was developed by representatives of Shluchim Exchange – the Chabad Shluchim’s Intranet — and approved by Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Vice Chairman of Chabad’s educational division and will be implemented in cities around the world At the site www.LeibyMemorial.com participants will have the option to study a page, a section or an entire tractate of the Talmud.
The site will serve as a 24-hour online support system for an international base of Talmud learners. Without necessitating an account or login, visitors can choose a portion of the Talmud, access links to Talmud lessons and record their achievements. Periodical emails will remind participants about their commitments.
For the uninitiated, the site offers the option to learn just one page. In this manner, “anyone can be a part of this program,” said Rabbi Simcha Backman, a key coordinator in this project.
“This program will unify all segments of communities all around the world, in memory of Leiby Kletzky,” said Backman, director of Chabad in Glendale, CA.
A full cycle of Talmud study will be completed at least once before the “Shloshim” the 30th day of mourning for Leiby is over.
The goal of this project it to complete the entire shas by the 10 Av – August 10th.
Ladies learning Gemara?
1. The Kletzky family would not appreciate ladies learning Gemara for the iluy neshama of their son.
2. It is not the ‘derech’ of Lubavitch for ladies to learn Gemara.
The organizers should have made clear that it is only open to men. There are a number of ladies who signed up to learn Gemara. They can learn on their own, but it should not be part of a project for Leiby Kletzky a”h, nor part of a project endorsed by Lubavitcher shluchim.
to number one
i think you should learn the pages the women took upon themselves.. (unless you are a woman yourself). emor me’at va’asei harbei!
A Shliach
#1, you should educate yourself a little about what is the ‘derech’ of Lubavitch before opening your foolish mouth in front of the whole world.
Please clarify
It states that “The idea was developed by representatives of Shluchim Exchange – the Chabad Shluchim’s Intranet — and approved by Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Vice Chairman of Chabad’s educational division..”
Did Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky approve ladies learning Gemara as part of this project? Please clarify.
Anonymous
Is Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky aware that ladies are learning Gemara in the program that he approved?
Honoring wishes of Kletzky family
The comments do not address the fact that the Kletzky family would not want ladies learning Gemara in their son’s memory (as stated in comment #1). Obviously something done in memory of their son should not be done against their eishes.