Bochurim of Mesivta Menachem Complete Misechta

Once again, as in the past couple of years, the talmidim of Mesivta Menachem of Buffalo have completed an entire Misechta. A few years back, after much careful thought and debate, The Hanhala decided to make a change to the Gemorah L’girsa seder. Instead of learning a later perek of the regular “Yeshivah Misechta”, the bochurim would learn a different Misechta altogether.

“It was not easy instituting this new system”, recalls Rabbi Mendel Munitz, Maggid Shiur Lgirsa. “No one is ever comfortable tampering with the normal curriculum”. The idea came from the bochurim themselves. Learning a later perek of the same Misechta for Girsa wasn’t cutting it. The students wanted a refreshing “change of scenery” for the afternoon. Not just a new topic but a new sefer – a different Misechta that would keep them interested and motivated. Rabbi Mendel was listening. He also envisioned the powerful feeling of fulfillment and accomplishment the Bochurim would experience upon returning home with an entire Misechta “under their belt”.

With an emphasis on practical application and yiras shamayim topics, a rotation of small Misechtos was chosen. This year’s Misechta was Gemorah Tannis. The Misechta includes the famous “Pirka Dachasidusah” containing many stories about Tzaddikim and the wondrous things that happened to them. The bochurim actually finished the Misechta shortly after Peasach. As a reward for their hard work, the Yeshivah took the bochurim on a surprise trip to Crown heights for the Great Lag B’omer Parade!

At his birthday farbrengen on Shavous, the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Munitz, expressed how proud he was of the bochurim’s accomplishments. Rabbi Munitz also expressed what tremendous nachas he received from the half a dozen alumni who came to Yeshiva to celebrate Shavous with him. The bochurim of Mesivta Menachem, past and present are forever connected through the palpable love that Rabbi Munitz has for each and every one of them.