Boys Compete in Halacha Chidon

Halichos Olam is a program for seventh graders to encourage and guide them in the study of Hilichos Tefillin based on the sefer Shvach Yokor.

The program was established by the Igud Menahalei Yeshivos of Crown Heights for boys of Oholei Menachem and United Lubavitch Yeshiva of Crown Street with the goal to expand the knowledge of Halacha and Yiras Shamayim of the talmidim in our community.

The program was founded in memory of HaRav Yehuda Kalman Marlow a”h whom the Rebbe referred to as ‘Ish Halacha’ – a man of Jewish Law; HaRav Marlow’s life was dedicated to the knowledge and clarification of Halacha.

Eligibility to be a participant in the Chidon is by receiving above an 80% on written tests throughout the year. Each contestant earns a monetary reward. For 90% the reward is greater.

63 boys participated in the Chidon. The audience of parents, melamdim, community members and fellow students were astounded at the ability of the participants to quote the Halocho almost verbatim.

The event was chaired by Rabbi Yisroel D. Shmueli and Rabbi Meir Fischer – both 7th grade melamdim in Oholei Torah. Rabbi Yosef Simpson – Menahel Roshi of United Lubavitch Yeshivos and Rabbi Hershel Lustig – Menahel Roshi of Oholei Menachem both serve as coordinators of the program together with Rabbi Leibel Newman.

Contestants: Nissin Isaac Davis recited the Rebbe’s Kapital and Levi Yitzchok HaLevi Heller delivered a D’var Torah. Judges were Rabbi Shmuel Hurwitz author of Shvach Yokor and Rabbi Mendel Eidelman.

Winners of the Chidon:
1st place:
Menachem Mendel Sandhaus, Yosef Menachem Mendel HaLevi Lewis, Moshe Noach Nelson, Peretz Mochkin
2nd place:
Avrohom Sender Schapiro, Menachem Mendel Mathlass, Meir Shlomo Kraus,
Menachem Mendel Edelist, Yaakov Yisroel Sasson
3rd place:
Yehuda Namdar, Menachem Mendel Rubashkin, Menachem Mendel HaLevi Duchman,
Menachem Mendel Stein, Menachem Mendel HaKohen Rosenfeld, Menachem Mendel HaLevi Levy