The Lubavitch community of Chicago joined together to celebrate the completion of both the study of three chapters and the study of one chapter a day, with a festive meal and farbrengen held at Cong. Bnei Ruven.
The event began with Rabbi Eli Nosson Silberberg, the Rosh Yeshiva of the local Mesivta, welcoming all those that were in attendance. In addition to greeting the hundreds of locals that turned up for the occasion, he greeted the thousands that tuned in for a live broadcast being aired on Chabad.org.
In his distinctive manner, he explained how when taken seriously, the study of Rambam can change one’s entire approach to Torah. He then introduced Rabbi Meir Moscowitz of Chabad of Northbrook, who led the assembled in the recital of Chapter 108 of Tehillim, the Rebbe’s Kapital, followed by a thought on Hakhel.
Next on the program, the assistant director of the Cheder, Rabbi Moshe Wolf introduced one of their top talmidim to make a siyum on the Sefer Hamitzvos. The crowd sat and listened as Meir Shimon Moscowitz, age 11, delivered a very impressive Siyum interspersed with his own comments and interpretations.
Rabbi Moshe B. Perlstein, Dean of Lubavitch Mesivta, was honored next with the actual Siyum HaRambam. He touched upon the fact that by fulfilling this directive one can become fluent in “kol hatorah koola” and that now with the proliferation of the Dvar Malchus it has become even easier to commit.
Following the main course, Rabbi Baruch Hertz, Rav of Bnei Ruven, delivered the Haschola focusing on how now is a perfect opportunity to strengthen our hiskashrus to the Rebbe.
The highlight of the evening was when Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky of Rechovot stepped up to the stage for his address. Rabbi Gluckowsky, who is well known for his powerful and inspirational talks, spoke at length of the great diamonds that can be found dispersed through out the Mishna Torah. He focused on a selection of them and elaborated how they all were a central theme in the Rebbe’s call to change the world. Different anecdotes and stories that he experienced or heard from the Rebbe were sprinkled through out his speech.
Following the formal event Rabbi Gluckowsky farbrenged for many hours and the next day held a halacha session for the Association of Chabad Rabbonim of Illinois and spoke for the girls of Lubavitch Girls High School.
count me in
ggoo chicago!!