Rebbe’s Dollar Given after 30 Years

Igud Mesivtos V’Yeshivos

Had you been on the corner of Crown Street and Albany Avenue in Crown Heights, at 4:00on the eve of Yud Shevat, you would have seen hundreds of Mesivta students, Seforim under their arm, rushing towards the Lubavitcher Yeshiva Hall, making sure they are on time for a test.

Nothing really unique about that. Tests are part and parcel of Yeshiva life. They play a large role in both encouraging a person to have a structure, and helping a person psychically see their intellectual achievements.

So why was this test special?

That is because at this event, participating Bochurim (over 300 from almost every Mesivta in Lubavitch), have multi-year goals, choosing from a variety of subjects they naturally enjoy.

Some Bochurim were tested on all the Gemora they learned so far this year, drilling down and reviewing continuously so that they retain the learning for many years to come.

Whilst others are taking the long-term view of systematically learning through Sha”s, Seder by Seder, working to complete it before their Chassuna.

Yet a third group chose Halocha. They are going to thoroughly complete the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Oruch over the next eight years, placing a special focus on the actual ‘Halocha Lema’ase’.

But though from the outside each group seems to be learning something else, they have one thing in common, they are all participating in ‘Vehogisa’.

Vehogisa, a project by the Igud Mesivtos V’Yeshivos, is now it’s third year of ensuring that every Bochur, no matter their learning style or intellectual abilities, is given the framework, support and guidance to succeed in learning.

The program, with the assistance of the Yeshiva, guides a Bochur to a topic he more naturally enjoys, and provides him with a multi-year framework broken down into smaller goals, support, tests and encouragement. Delicately lifting each Bochur out of their comfort zone.

Rabbi Mendel Itzinger, director of Igud Mesivtos V’Yeshivos, explained to collive “The goal of the ‘Igud’ is to ensure that all Bochurim are passionate about Yiddishkeit, love living a life of Kedusha, and are dedicated to doing what Hashem wants. Success and continued growth, are one of the three fundamental keys to long-term sustainable passion.

“But in order to be successful, people need to know that what they are aiming for, how they will get there, and why they should do it. This is true at any stage in life, and our Bochurim are no different”.

During the two hour event which began with a Seder Limud, Rabbi Itzinger thanked the real forces behind the program Rabbi Yaakov Raskin, director of Vehogisa-Gemora, and Rabbi Yossi Baitz, director of Vehogisa-Halocha, who literally work night and day to ensure that every last Bochur succeed. Telling the Bochurim in a quote from Rebbi Akiva “Sheli V’Shelcho Shlah Hi”, whatever we have achieved is in the merit of these two selfless individuals.

As the Seder Limud concluded, and the Bochurim moved to where the test would take place, a surprise announcement was made.

“Thirty years ago, the Rebbe handed Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky a number of dollars and asked him to distribute it to a select group of people. After ensuring that everyone from that group received a dollar, Rabbi Krinsky was left with some dollars remaining, it was left to him to distribute these dollars to those worthy of them.

“For thirty years, one of those dollars remained, waiting for it’s owner. For thirty years, the dollar – a ‘Pruta Me’iyov’ – carrying with it untold Kochos of Brocha and Hatzlocha, lay waiting for that worthy person.

And finally, thanks to Rabbi Krinsky and his appreciation to the Bochurim’s effort, it’s moment arrived! To the cries of Mazal Tov, Avrohom Mordechai Silverstein of Westchester Yeshiva was presented with this holy gift…

…And thus the test began.