Eighth Graders Compete in Shoneh Halachos

Eighth graders from Oholei Torah and Lubavitcher Yeshiva competed in a Shoneh Halachos competition. The goal of the program is to increase the knowledge of Halacha and Yiras Shamayim.

Shoneh Halachos is a program for eighth grade boys to encourage and guide them in the study of Halacha with the Alter Rebbe’s Psak which is clearly explained through notations made by Rabbi Levi Bistritzky a”h – former Rav of Tzfat. It was established by the Igud Menahalei Yeshivos of Crown Heights for Oholei Menachem and United Lubavitcher Yeshiva of Crown Street in the goal to expand the knowledge of Halacha and Yiras Shamayim of the talmidim of our community.

The program was founded in memory of Rabbi Yehuda Kalman Marlow a”h whom the Rebbe referred to as ‘Ish Halacha’ – a man of Jewish Law; Rabbi Marlow’s life was dedicated to the knowledge and clarification of Halacha.

The learning thereof is leilui nishmas HaChosid Reb Schneur Zalman Gurary a”h to whom the interests of the Rebbe were very dear. The program is sponsored by Y. Sternberg, grandson of Reb Zalman and surely this serves as a fitting tribute to an individual who was legendary for his hiskashrus, limud and hidur in performing mitzvos. Rabbi Lustig told some stories of how the Frierdiker Rebbe personally raised R’ Gurary when at the age of 10, his father died.

Eligibility to be a participant in the Chidon is through receiving above an 80% on written tests. Each boy receives monetary reward for excelling in this area and boys that join in the Chidon receive additional money plus Seforim.

The finale of the program was a Chidon amongst 29 contestants which was held on Wednesday evening – 28 Iyar. The panel of judges were: Rabbi Moshe Wiener, Rabbi Yosef Shechter, HaTamim R’ Sholom Zirkind and HaTamim Yosef Zirkind, both sons of Rabbi Yitzchok Zirkind a”h – who judged many such Chidons in the past years. The audience of parents, melamdim, community members and fellow students were astounded at the ability of the participants to quote the Halocho almost verbatim. The event was chaired by Rabbi Hershel Lustig – Dean of Oholei Menachem who also serves as coordinator of the program.

The winners of the Chidon are:

First Place: Shmuel Lesches, Menachem Mendel Rodal
Second Place: Yisroel Krasnianski, Menachem Mendel Rotenstreich
Third Place: Shneur Zalman Heber, Shmuel Teichman, Dovid Aryeh Vaisfiche