Achei Temimim Bochurim Take Semicha Test

Photos: Sadya Liberow
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After many months of intense study and preparation, the bochurim of Achei Temimim, Chovevei Torah Yeshiva in Crown Heights were tested on Hilchos Taaruvos by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Barber.

The bochurim in Beis Medrash Achei Tmimim learned Hilchos Taaruvos over the past six months, and the knowledge and skills they acquired were proudly put on display throughout all their tests.

“It’s so wonderful to see our bochurim put their hearts and souls into their learning,” says Rabbi Levi Tzukernik, principal of Achei Tmimim. “Many bochurim did not believe they themselves could do it, and many were unfortunately disenfranchised in the past. To see them achieve success and finish a part of smicha overwhelms me with nachas.”

Achei Tmimim is a warm home for bochurim looking to grow their yiddishkeit, chassidishkeit, and learning. The yeshiva’s environment is structured to promote personal growth, and hosts a dynamic and personable staff.

“I have truly grown from and enjoyed my experience learning Hilchos Taaruvos,” says Talmid Yitzchak Friedman. “Chazara for the test and actually taking the test cemented my knowledge to a degree that I could not imagine,” says Shliach Shalom Gordon.

Smicha in Achei Tmimim is completed over two years, comprising Hilchos Basar B’chalav, Melichah and Machalei Aku”m one year, and Hilchos Ta’aruvos and Hilchos Shabbos during the other. The rest of the day is filled with regular chassidus, gemara, and yeshiva seder.

Over the past few years, the yeshiva has been proud to welcome prominent rabbonim to test the bochurim on smicha – Rabbi Shneur Zalman Yaroslavski, Rabbi Zushe Winner, Rabbi Baruch Hertz, Rabbi Moshe Kesselman, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Barber, and others.

In addition to these final tests, the bochurim are tested every two weeks by their smicha maggidei shiurim Rabbi Shmuel Kesselman and Rabbi Yisroel Kaplan, to ensure they have grasped and mastered the material.

“When we founded the new division of the Yeshiva ‘Achei Tmimim,” explained Rabbi Levi Tzukernik, “our vision was to reach our talmidim not just with love care and guidance, but to give them the skills to learn so that they can develop a deep appreciation for Torah and continue learning many years after they complete yeshiva. Seeing first hand the bochurim immerse themselves in the world of halacha, gemara and chassidus is truly rewarding, and it encourages us to continue to find a way to expand and build on our success Be’ezras Hashem.”