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Rabbi Akiva Wagner, Rosh Yeshiva (Mashpia) of Yeshivas Lubavitch in Toronto came to Mesivta Menachem of Amherst (Buffalo) for a special Hey Teves Farbrengen. The Farbrengen, arranged by the Shluchim, began at 8pm with Rabbi Munitz sharing his personal experiences of that special day. Rabbi Wagner continued on farbrenging about the importance of learning Tanya Ba’al Peh and how Tanya must play an essential role in a Bachur’s life. “All problems, questions, confusions can be solved by opening up a Tanya…why waste $150 on a psychiatrist.”

The emotional farbrengen, which included a heartfelt talk of how to respond to three Bachurim tragically losing their lives while on Mivtzoim, lasted well past 2am. The bochurim were very involved asking Rabbi Wagner questions and were duly inspired by his answers.

Hei Teves Farbrengen with Rabbi Wagner

Rabbi Akiva Wagner, Rosh Yeshiva (Mashpia) of Yeshivas Lubavitch in Toronto came to Mesivta Menachem of Amherst (Buffalo) for a special Hey Teves Farbrengen. The Farbrengen, arranged by the Shluchim, began at 8pm with Rabbi Munitz sharing his personal experiences of that special day. Rabbi Wagner continued on farbrenging about the importance of learning Tanya Ba’al Peh and how Tanya must play an essential role in a Bachur’s life. “All problems, questions, confusions can be solved by opening up a Tanya…why waste $150 on a psychiatrist.”

The emotional farbrengen, which included a heartfelt talk of how to respond to three Bachurim tragically losing their lives while on Mivtzoim, lasted well past 2am. The bochurim were very involved asking Rabbi Wagner questions and were duly inspired by his answers.

The Bochurim left the farbrengen motivated to strengthen their hiskahsrus to the Rebbe. They are now looking forward and preparing for the upcoming trip to the Rebbe for Yud Shvat.

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12 Comments

  • john

    there was recorded the farbrengen in campus chomesh i was in the library surfin and i came across the clip soo i thought id hear a farbrengen bc i couldn’t goto one and it turned out it made my library experience soo much better even tough half the rabbis spoke in yiddish but i understand yiddish thanks soo much if the rebbe would talk to u he would tell u put more farbrengens and divrei his’orrerus online soo people can access guilt trips whenever they need it u made my hei teves thank u!!!!

  • Shimon (a Mesivta Menachem admirer)

    Buffalo does it again, really nice to see the Yeshivah is going from strengh to strengh.
    wishing Rabbi Munitz & all the staff much Hatzlocho.
    May we merit the Hisgalos of the Rebbe MH”M Mamosh Now!!!

  • cc

    Was the Farbrengen recorded? If so, is it possible to post so that others can hear it? Lots of people want to hear answers to the same questions – both about the Bochrim who were killed and about how much of a role Tanya plays in our lives…please, if it was recorded, post for the everyone else to gain from.

  • MMM

    sorry,the farbrengen was not recorded. Just wanted to point out – there is NO ANSWER why this tragedy took place, the question adressed at the farbrengen was how we should respond.

  • mo town

    rock on mendel and danny. you guys do an aweseome job to help the bochurim turn into chasidim…..

  • a parent

    There are very people like Rabbi Akiva Wagner who understand bochurim (also known as: “teenagers”) and can connect with them and ispire them. The Rabbi Wagner’s Yeshiva in Toronto is amazing in this regard. I would suggest other Yeshivas should visit Rabbi Wagner’s Yeshiva (for a shabaton) and get inspired with chassidishe chayus. Toronto is a beatiful city with a strong Lubavitch community. The local balie battim (living near the Yeshiva) are chassidish and bnei Torah. I’ve seen bochurim ask halacha shaylos to one bal habos who is clear in Hilchos Shabbos. Other bochurim speak to another bal habos who is a chassidishe mashpiah. There is a member of the ziknie hachasdim who constsntly farbrengs and relates stories of his days in Russia. These dynamics are incredible assets. But above all, the “bnei Akiva” who are devoted to their beloved Rosh Yeshiva, who is second to none.

  • former bochur

    During a short visit to Rabbi Wagner’s Yeshiva in Toronto I noted that the Yeshiva is in the heart of the Misnagdish community of that city. It is in close proximity to at least two very anti-Lubavitch Yeshivos plus 2 Kollels, and many small shuls. Our bochurim are always in the spot-light by those who love to criticize. I believe this places the bochurim on notice to be mikadesh shem Lubavitch, and bring honor to the Rebbe. That may be the secret of success to Yeshiva Lubavitch Toronto. Plus, of course, it’s great Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Akiva Wagner.

  • bnai akiva

    Indeed Rabbi Wagner is unique, and the Toronto Yeshiva is surrounded by chosheveh ballie batim who enhance the Yeshiva.
    A few corrections to what “a parent” wrote about the local ballie batim:

    The member of ziknie hachasidim, Reb Mendel Aranov is a tziyur of a true Neveler Chosid. When he farbrengs he tells us gems.

    The Chassidishe Mashpia, and mechanech, Rabbi D.L. Chaykin is an aidel yid who has chochmas hachayim, and a joy to ask aytzos to.

    The bal habos who you write is clear in Hilchos Shabbos, Reb Yossi Schochet, is actually clear in all areas of halocha, plus l’havdil all legal matter.

    Plus, there’s Rabbi Meir Wagner, a principal, a mechanech, and a great farbrengener in his own right.

    There’s a Reb Choneh Perman, a pikayach – a wise man!

    And there’s Rabbi Wilhelm – an aidel mentch.

    With so much inspiration – is it no surprise that the Yeshiva is number one. I gained a lot from my experience in Toronto, and so would any bochur.