Shoneh Halachos Program: Elevating Halacha and Yiras Shamayim in Our Community
The Shoneh Halachos program was established for eighth-grade Bochurim to encourage and guide them in the study of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, according to the psak of the Alter Rebbe. These halachos are clearly explained in the notations of Rabbi Levi Bistritzky a”h, former Rav of Tzfat. The program was founded by the Igud Menahalei Yeshivos of Crown Heights and is currently implemented in Oholei Torah, United Lubavitcher Yeshiva of Crown Street, and joined by Cheder Lubavitch Morristown and Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim of Queens. Its goal is to expand the talmidim’s knowledge of halacha and enhance their Yiras Shamayim.
Founded in memory of HaRav Yehuda Kalman Marlow a”h, whom the Rebbe referred to as an Ish Halacha, the program continues his legacy of halachic knowledge and dedication to halachic clarity.
The learning is also dedicated le’ilui nishmas HaChossid Reb Schneur Zalman Gurary a”h, a person whose deep connection to the Rebbe and devotion to Torah and mitzvos was legendary. Reb Zalman’s father, Reb Nosson, was a strong supporter of the Bais Harav during the Nesius of the Rebbe Rashab. Following Reb Nosson’s passing, the Frierdiker Rebbe took young Zalman in as a ben bayis, teaching him Kaddish, instilling in him a love for Torah, and even guiding him in personal refinement and presentation. This formative influence had a lifelong impact on Reb Zalman.
The program is generously sponsored by Keren Razag in his memory, a most fitting tribute to an individual who personified hiskashrus, limud haTorah, and hidur mitzvos.
Throughout the year, students take written tests, and those who excel receive cash incentives. Finalists in the Chidon (contest) are rewarded with additional monetary prizes and seforim.
The culmination of the program was held on Wednesday evening, 23 Iyar, in the Oholei Torah Mechina Zal. A total of 43 contestants demonstrated their command of halacha in an exhilarating Chidon event.
Rabbi Chaim Yisroel Wilhelm opened the program with insights from the daily Chitas on the value of toiling in Torah – especially relevant on the day of the Chidon. A heartfelt D’var Torah was shared by Schneur Zalman Sternberg, a great-grandson of Reb Zalman a”h, followed by the Rebbe’s Kapital Tehillim led by Moshe Antian.
The evening was chaired by Rabbi Hershel Lustig, with coordination by Rabbi Leibel Newman and Rabbi Yosef Simpson. Questions were presented by Rabbi Yosef Simpson and Rabbi Mendel Scharf, and Rabbi Mendel Yusewitz offered inspiring words about the Rebbe’s emphasis on precision in halacha.
Chidon judges were Rabbi Moshe Wiener, Rabbi Sholom Zirkind, and HaTamim Yosef Zirkind, sons of the revered Rabbi Yitzchok Zirkind a”h. Parents, melamdim, fellow students, and community members in attendance were amazed at the talmidim’s ability to quote halachos nearly verbatim.
Chidon Winners
🥇 First Place:
Yosef Yitzchok Lipskier, Moshe Yitzchok Apfelbaum, Moshe Tzvi Shain
🥈 Second Place:
Chaim Zushe haKohen Perlow, Mendel Lebovic, Nosson Nota Lewis, Meir Talki
🥉 Third Place:
Yosef Yitzchok Dubov, Avrohom Tzvi Levin, Yisroel Aryeh Leib Liberow, Yisroel Sarychav
Mazal Tov to all the participants and winners! Their dedication to halacha and commitment to Torah study is a source of great pride for our community.
