The scene is familiar: a group of excited yeshiva students about to begin their final exam on material that they have been meticulously studying for the last few years. The background: The Smicha program of Moscow’s Yeshiva Gedola “Tomchei Tmimim”, the first yeshiva and oldest amongst all the yeshivas that currently exist in Russia. Many of its hundreds of alumnae serve as Rabbis and Shluchim who spread the light of Yiddishkeit and reach out to Russian speaking Jews all over the world.
After an intensive and comprehensive study program, led by Rabbi Dovid Rozentzweig, the students have completed a series of tests and have now reached the final exam. They were examined by the Chief Rabbi of Russia and the yeshiva’s founder, Rabbi Berel Lazar, who noted how well prepared the students came, thanks to the dedication of the teachers and staff led by Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Menachem Mendel Goldberg, who invests endless time and resources for the students who arrive from all over the country. Some of these young men are graduates of local Jewish Day Schools run by Shluchim from various cities, who excelled in their Jewish studies and were encouraged by their Shliach to continue on to study at Moscow’s Yeshiva Gedola.
The Yeshiva is located on a large campus in the Sofrino area of Moscow’s suburbs. Far from the noise and hustle of the big city, its quiet and pastoral atmosphere is ideal for sitting and learning without any disturbances. Its high quality graduates testify to the Yeshiva’s great success.
Just in time for the summer zman, the yeshiva published a special kovetz of chidushim that were written in Russian by the students. Many thanks to the yeshiva’s dedicated staff who are so invested in the students’ success and constantly striving to make the Yeshiva experience even better and better in both gashmiyus and ruchniyus.
Photography: Eliyahu Tzin
