Rabbi Dovid Schochet, President of the Toronto Rabbinical Council, and a member of Vaad Rabbonei Lubavitch, tested students enrolled in “Onlinesmicha”, an innovative Rabbinical ordination program of the Lubavitch Yeshiva of Minnesota that makes use of interactive web video conferencing.
Rabbi Schochet is world renowned for his genius Torah knowledge and his great depth in Torah learning, and is one of the ordaining Rabbis for the students in the program.
The rigorous, yet flexible smicha program, has attracted students from 6 countries–representing the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Panama, and Eretz Israel. The Rabbinical exams, administered after months of learning, included one track of students who were tested in the laws of basar b’chalav and a second group tested on the laws of melicha. The exams lasted for several hours, during which the students were questioned in depth about the subjects they had learned. Rabbi Schochet also stressed the practical application of the laws, with students being expected to know halacha l’ma’aseh. Each of the students passed the test and hence, will commence learning the next track in Ta’aruvos.
Following the test, Rabbi Schochet expressed to Rabbi Wilhelm, head of the “online” Smicha program, his extreme pleasure and delight received from the depth of knowledge, expert answers, and obvious fruits of the students’ efforts. Rabbi Schochet commended the students for their commitment and dedication, many of whom break from a hard day at work from their office or home to participate in online shiurim several times per week.
Students also use time outside of regular shiurim to learn in online chavrusas and follow up with review questions and a constant dialogue and interaction through the site’s private discussion board and group forums.
Through the use of interactive web video conferencing, “onlinesmicha” offers a structured learning program in Rabbinical ordination for working professionals, retired people, and those who missed the opportunity for smicha in yeshiva.
The rigorous, yet flexible, program is run under the direction and guidance of esteemed Torah scholar and maggid shiur Rabbi Nachman Wilhelm Shlit”a.
“This program requires dedication and hard work, and I am please to congratulate the students for a job well done,” stated Rabbi Wilhelm.
Shiurim cover the laws of Basar B’Chalav, Ta’aruvos, Melicha, Shabbos, Pas Akum, Bishul Akum, Cholov Akum, and Tevilas Keilim.
For more information, or to join one of the study programs, please visit: www.onlinesmicha.com or send an email to admin@onlinesmicha.com.
As someone who recently got semicha in Rabbi Schochet’s house I can tell you that the experience of being tested and experiencing Rabbi Schochet’s greatness will stay with me for the rest of my life. Thank you Rabbi Schochet. Ashreinu mah tov chelkeinu that we Lubavitchers have him.
Those of us who had his bechina will forever remember it well. Those who did not experience it will never understand what we mean. Rabbi Shochet is an adam gadol, and being in his presence was my first encounter with true gadlus.
we love you saba. you are not only truly great but also our great grandfather. we are your best great grandchildren.
Rabbi Schochat was bochen me for smicha. Clearly he knows the entire shulchan oruch like his phone number. He asked a few simple sounding questions but as I started to answer I knew I was in trouble because whatever I thought to answer seemed wrong. Then he gave me a “hint” and suddenly I had clarity. He did this a few times during my bechina. When the bechina was finished, I walked out knowing the dinim better then I ever was able to with my own learning. I thought I messed up but he passed me and gave me strong… Read more »
I think Hagoan Harav Shoichet shlita has many great grandchildren! That would make this great man truely a GREAT grandfather, K”AH, till 180 years.
ya go sabba!!!
one of a generation
During my farher by Rav Schochet the phone rang with shaylos from 6 different counties and at least a dozen local shaylos about all areas of halacha (it was amazing to watch his computer mind answering shaylos!). I loved these calls because they gave me a bit of extra time to think of answers to the Rov’s questions. As soon as he hung up the phone, the Rov would ask me, “Nu, do you know the answer?” One question was a real brain-twister, and I simply couldn’t figure out the answer in the few seconds of the phone call. I… Read more »
remember it is not the bochen that did the hard work, it was the months of learning with a great magid shiur
I was farhered by Rav Schochet (in his basement – I reconize the wall to wall of seforim in the pictures). he grilled me for 4 hours straight and then he told me that we will continue tomorrow! (He needed to go to a Din Torah). THAT was an experience I will never forget!!
relax . He was trying to give credit to rabbi wilhelm , who has been working hard on this amazing program. Rabbi wilhelm happens to also be Rav Schochets son in law(the Rosh), and can hold his own in lumdus as well. So yes, the bochen is a tremendous person but here he is the bochen. relax.
just the bochen? shame on you.
do you know what it takes to be the bochen? i am sure that you don’t and you never will.
kudos to rabbi schochet for all that he has contributed to the development of rabbonim of the next generation. kudos for all rabbi schochet has contributed to the halachic adherement and spiritual inspiration of this generation.
rabbi shochet was just the bochen , rabbi wilhelm gave them all the chayus and info
great job
Thornhill Chabad — how good is your G-dly tents under the auspices of HaRov Dovid Schochet and Rabbi Zalman Aaron Grossbaum. PS: If anyone is interested to join Pirkei Avos shiur one hour before mincha every Shabbos at the Rov’s residence, please call for details 905.731.7000
As a current member of the Smicha program, I can say first hand how clear his teaching and caring his manner and style.
Thank you Rabbi Wilhelm.
Rabbi schochet is one of a kind in regards to his brilliance, character, achievements, dedication and commitment. A chossid, a gaon, a tzaddik in our midst.
The chabad rav of my kehillah texts me back to all my questions… the fact is, all rabbanim must adapt and text their community…
in a way not surprised after learning under rabbni willhelm how can u not passed i was by many of his shiurim previously .
i envy the peaple who have the zchus of learning under his guidence
you should have much hatzlocha
rabbi schochet is unbeilevable- were so lucky to have such an amazing rav in toronto
good for u guys! those tests sure arent easy
it is inspiring to see respected rabbonim use the internet for such holy purposes.
and its especially impressive for a rav from an older generation to care enough to learn the ways of younger ppl…
Yay Zeidy! We are so proud of you and we love you so very much!!
Rabbi Schochet is a legend in our times. He is kind and caring, and his incredible range and depth of knowledge is tremendously unique. We need more leaders like him!
amazing job!
Rabbi Schochet is the most technologically advanced Gaon alive today. Every gadget he has is used exclusively for Torah study. We can be proud as Lubavitchers to have such an amazing Rav in our midst!