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Farbrangen with Rabbi Chaim Schochet
Sunday January 22nd, 2012
By -Simcha Evan Finkelstein
This past Thursday, the 24 of Teves, Rabbi Chaim Schochet visited
Yeshiva Tiferes Bachurim in honor of the 199th Yartzeit of the Alter
Rebbe. Rabbi Schochet is the director of the Ivy League Program Torah Study Program for University Students. This summer program has often inspired students to join our Yeshiva after the summer!
Besides Rabbi Schochet's illustrious position as the
head of Ivy League he is also cousin to Yeshiva Tiferes Bachurim's
very own Rabbi Yaakov Wagner (head of student affairs); although he
came to the Yeshiva from a much farther relationship, one that began
on the other side of the world, in melbourne, Australia. There, this
past Tishrei, Rabbi Schochet stayed as a scholar in residence for the
Yeshiva college community in Melbourne; And it is there where, Yeshiva
Tiferes Bachurim Kollel student Aaron Lazer Goodman first met Rabbi
Schochet. Aaron Lazer relates how immediately he was captivated by
Rabbi Schochet's energy and ability to relay information directly to
the hearts of his listeners (a fact which was later proven directly to
the students of Tiferes Bachurim). The relationship of these two Jews
grew over the next month; on Simchas Torah, Aaron Lazer asked Rabbi Schochet if he would consider coming to Morristown NJ sometime in the near future in order to Farbreng and share some of his unique wisdom with the Bachrim there. Rabbi Schochet
agreed, but no date was set. When both parties returned to the states
they maintained their contact via telephone for a few weeks, and it
was decided that the most appropriate time to Farbreng would be the
Yartzeit of the Alter Rebbe. It was set, and preparations were made! A
car was sent to pick up Rabbi Schochet from his home in Crown Heights
that day as the Bachurim excitedly set up food, drink, and mashke in
anticipation of the renowned Rabbi.
Rabbi Schochet arrived and sat down at the farbrengen at 9:30 P.M. The
niggunim were already going strong by then as a hush fell over the
crowd of about 75 Yeshiva and Kollel students, who were eager to hear
and listen. "L'chaim" were the Rabbi's opening words As he explained
how the Yartzeit of a Tzaddik is not a somber event, but a time to
gather together in Achdus,introspect ourselves, and make positive
resolutions for the future; Rabbi Schochet expressed how some people
fast on a Yartzeit, but that is not our way, instead we make a
Farbrengen and sing together. He then began explaining an interesting
concept in Kabbalah quoted often by alter chassidim: the gates of
Teshuvah are located directly next to the gates of song; if someone is
clever, he will start off by singing a niggun, but end off with
Teshuva, as it's very easy to hop into one gate once you're already
near it. Rabbi Schochet then introduced and began singing Niggun
HaYashan from the Alter Rebbe as everyone present was transported to a
higher plane of reality.
A few different themes were circulating during the Farbrengen. How
important it is to guard one's eye's and ears was one of the main
points. The Rabbi also spoke about the Alter Rebbe's notion that a
Chassid is not someone who's Perfect, but rather is someone who is
willing to recognize his imperfections in order to work on them in the
process of bettering himself. Rabbi Schochet told a famous story about
a billionare who left his children instructions in his will that he
desired to be buryed in his socks. His children approached many
rabbis, but the consensus was unanimous, it is asur to do so. The
children were upset, but they had no choice, they had to follow the
Rabbis' words and bury their father as is customary. After the funeral
the children were approached by their father's lawyer who handed them
a sealed envelope from their father, which read as follows:
Physicality is nothing, you can have all the money in the world but in
the end it won't mean a thing. No matter what you have you can't take
it with you, and at the end of the day, even with a billion dollars,
you can't be buried in your socks!
The feeling in the room was fiery as the Rabbi would begin speaking at
the height of a niggun, yet everyone silenced themselves instantly as
we were all on the edge of our seats to hear one more story, one more
concept, one more niggun, one more bit of anything from this
well-spoken wellspring of a man. The audience was clearly in the palm
of Rabbi Schochet's hand, willing and ready to be closer to this
beautifully true Jew. Many more stories and divrei Torah were told,
which would take me days on end to record in print, and even then I
wouldn't be able to do them justice as the way in which they were
spoken by Rabbi Chaim Schochet was with such real feeling and clear
emotions; printed words can't even be comparred. To quote the
Lubavitcher Rebbe, "Words that come from the heart, enter the heart."
In short, everyone left with a sweet taste in their mouths, and much
to think about; many made hachlatos before the Rabbi had even left at
2:30 A.M. The last idea the Rabbi conveyed was: we all need to be true
to ourselves, and no matter what happens, despite all obstacles and
challenges that people (whether on purpose or by accident) might put in
our way, we must constantly be moving forward; always striving to
reach higher and further. Ultimately with this thought process in mind,
we can't help but to succeed in all our endeavors!
By -Simcha Evan Finkelstein
This past Thursday, the 24 of Teves, Rabbi Chaim Schochet visited
Yeshiva Tiferes Bachurim in honor of the 199th Yartzeit of the Alter
Rebbe. Rabbi Schochet is the director of the Ivy League Program Torah Study Program for University Students. This summer program has often inspired students to join our Yeshiva after the summer!
Besides Rabbi Schochet's illustrious position as the
head of Ivy League he is also cousin to Yeshiva Tiferes Bachurim's
very own Rabbi Yaakov Wagner (head of student affairs); although he
came to the Yeshiva from a much farther relationship, one that began
on the other side of the world, in melbourne, Australia. There, this
past Tishrei, Rabbi Schochet stayed as a scholar in residence for the
Yeshiva college community in Melbourne; And it is there where, Yeshiva
Tiferes Bachurim Kollel student Aaron Lazer Goodman first met Rabbi
Schochet. Aaron Lazer relates how immediately he was captivated by
Rabbi Schochet's energy and ability to relay information directly to
the hearts of his listeners (a fact which was later proven directly to
the students of Tiferes Bachurim). The relationship of these two Jews
grew over the next month; on Simchas Torah, Aaron Lazer asked Rabbi Schochet if he would consider coming to Morristown NJ sometime in the near future in order to Farbreng and share some of his unique wisdom with the Bachrim there. Rabbi Schochet
agreed, but no date was set. When both parties returned to the states
they maintained their contact via telephone for a few weeks, and it
was decided that the most appropriate time to Farbreng would be the
Yartzeit of the Alter Rebbe. It was set, and preparations were made! A
car was sent to pick up Rabbi Schochet from his home in Crown Heights
that day as the Bachurim excitedly set up food, drink, and mashke in
anticipation of the renowned Rabbi.
Rabbi Schochet arrived and sat down at the farbrengen at 9:30 P.M. The
niggunim were already going strong by then as a hush fell over the
crowd of about 75 Yeshiva and Kollel students, who were eager to hear
and listen. "L'chaim" were the Rabbi's opening words As he explained
how the Yartzeit of a Tzaddik is not a somber event, but a time to
gather together in Achdus,introspect ourselves, and make positive
resolutions for the future; Rabbi Schochet expressed how some people
fast on a Yartzeit, but that is not our way, instead we make a
Farbrengen and sing together. He then began explaining an interesting
concept in Kabbalah quoted often by alter chassidim: the gates of
Teshuvah are located directly next to the gates of song; if someone is
clever, he will start off by singing a niggun, but end off with
Teshuva, as it's very easy to hop into one gate once you're already
near it. Rabbi Schochet then introduced and began singing Niggun
HaYashan from the Alter Rebbe as everyone present was transported to a
higher plane of reality.
A few different themes were circulating during the Farbrengen. How
important it is to guard one's eye's and ears was one of the main
points. The Rabbi also spoke about the Alter Rebbe's notion that a
Chassid is not someone who's Perfect, but rather is someone who is
willing to recognize his imperfections in order to work on them in the
process of bettering himself. Rabbi Schochet told a famous story about
a billionare who left his children instructions in his will that he
desired to be buryed in his socks. His children approached many
rabbis, but the consensus was unanimous, it is asur to do so. The
children were upset, but they had no choice, they had to follow the
Rabbis' words and bury their father as is customary. After the funeral
the children were approached by their father's lawyer who handed them
a sealed envelope from their father, which read as follows:
Physicality is nothing, you can have all the money in the world but in
the end it won't mean a thing. No matter what you have you can't take
it with you, and at the end of the day, even with a billion dollars,
you can't be buried in your socks!
The feeling in the room was fiery as the Rabbi would begin speaking at
the height of a niggun, yet everyone silenced themselves instantly as
we were all on the edge of our seats to hear one more story, one more
concept, one more niggun, one more bit of anything from this
well-spoken wellspring of a man. The audience was clearly in the palm
of Rabbi Schochet's hand, willing and ready to be closer to this
beautifully true Jew. Many more stories and divrei Torah were told,
which would take me days on end to record in print, and even then I
wouldn't be able to do them justice as the way in which they were
spoken by Rabbi Chaim Schochet was with such real feeling and clear
emotions; printed words can't even be comparred. To quote the
Lubavitcher Rebbe, "Words that come from the heart, enter the heart."
In short, everyone left with a sweet taste in their mouths, and much
to think about; many made hachlatos before the Rabbi had even left at
2:30 A.M. The last idea the Rabbi conveyed was: we all need to be true
to ourselves, and no matter what happens, despite all obstacles and
challenges that people (whether on purpose or by accident) might put in
our way, we must constantly be moving forward; always striving to
reach higher and further. Ultimately with this thought process in mind,
we can't help but to succeed in all our endeavors!
Rabbinical College Cuisine- by Chef Dovid Solomon
Wednesday January 11th, 2012
After being requested to share some photos of our Fine Cuisine we got to it! Thanks to our Chef Dovid Solomon we have some of the finest catered food prepared for us three times a day!
After being requested to share some photos of our Fine Cuisine we got to it! Thanks to our Chef Dovid Solomon we have some of the finest catered food prepared for us three times a day!
Taste of Yeshiva Winter Program 5772
Wednesday January 11th, 2012
Highlights of this year's Taste of Yeshiva Winter Program!
• Video Conference with past Guro of Central Park NYC, LIVE from The Old City in Jerusalem -Gil Locks
• The Laws of Milk and Meat - Rabbi Schaprio
• The Intricacies of a Jewish Wedding - Rabbi Wilshansky (followed a week later by attendance to actual wedding of one of our students!)
• What you must be aware of regarding Shatnez - Rabbi Bechor
• A Kosher Mikvah Laws/applications and Tour- Rabbi Ganz
• Circumcision and it's particulars - Rabbi Mohel Epstein
• Introduction & Background to Chassidus- Rabbi Bongart
• The History of the Oral Law- Rabbi Brafman
• Gemarah Classes- Rabbi Dubinsky
• Tanya Classes- Rabbi Dick
• Chassidus Classes- Rabbi Wagner
• A Lesson in Faith- Professor November
• Farbrangen- Rabbi Pikarsky
• Trip to NY- Rabbi Hecht
• Recreational time with Sports at the Gym
Here are also just a few pictures to enjoy with it!
Highlights of this year's Taste of Yeshiva Winter Program!
• Video Conference with past Guro of Central Park NYC, LIVE from The Old City in Jerusalem -Gil Locks
• The Laws of Milk and Meat - Rabbi Schaprio
• The Intricacies of a Jewish Wedding - Rabbi Wilshansky (followed a week later by attendance to actual wedding of one of our students!)
• What you must be aware of regarding Shatnez - Rabbi Bechor
• A Kosher Mikvah Laws/applications and Tour- Rabbi Ganz
• Circumcision and it's particulars - Rabbi Mohel Epstein
• Introduction & Background to Chassidus- Rabbi Bongart
• The History of the Oral Law- Rabbi Brafman
• Gemarah Classes- Rabbi Dubinsky
• Tanya Classes- Rabbi Dick
• Chassidus Classes- Rabbi Wagner
• A Lesson in Faith- Professor November
• Farbrangen- Rabbi Pikarsky
• Trip to NY- Rabbi Hecht
• Recreational time with Sports at the Gym
Here are also just a few pictures to enjoy with it!
Front page feature on Chabad.org
Friday January 6th, 2012
By Tzvi Freeman
Dear Rabbi,
I’m an undergrad at a private college, doing really well and working hard to get into graduate school. I’m also very active with Chabad on campus. My Chabad rabbi has been bugging me to take off one semester to study in a yeshiva “some time before graduate school.” It’s still not clear to me what this yeshiva place is all about, and definitely not clear why I should take off in the middle of my studies to go there.
I really like this rabbi, I guess I’m just not getting it. Can you clarify some of this?
—A Student
Dear Student,
Before there were universities, there were yeshivas. There were people who sat around in yeshivas the whole year, discussing and studying and discussing some more. And then there were people who worked the farm or traveled afar to sell their merchandise, and then turned up at the yeshiva whenever they had a chance, to join in the study and discussion. Jews were always a literate society, and every Jew was expected to be involved somehow in the learning going on in the community.
Traditionally, most of the study in yeshiva was in pairs—two companions poring over a text together, debating its details to achieve clarity and full knowledge. A lecture is generally full of lively give-and-take between students and teacher. Traditional Jewish learning is all about asking good questions, as well as collaborating with others to come up with solutions. That’s why a yeshiva, unlike a college library, is a rather noisy place. In many ways, the methodology of study in yeshiva is way ahead of that applied in most educational institutions.
Today, there are all sorts of yeshivas. Some specialize exclusively in Talmud. Others diversify, studying practical Jewish law, history, ethics, Kabbalah and chassidic thought, etc. There are yeshivas dedicated to young men and women such as yourself, who just want to take off a semester to enrich their Jewish souls, and then get back home and finish their degree.
Chabad has a number of such yeshivas, and that’s the general thrust in these places—to give students a strong background, skills to build upon and the inspiration they need for a lifetime—and then get them back on track into their careers. Only that now, the bright lights of their Jewish soul are shining.
Now that I hope I’ve given you some vague idea of what a yeshiva is, let me provide you:
Five Top Reasons to Spend One Semester in Yeshiva
Investment: This could be the biggest investment you’ll ever make
You’re bright enough to know that your future’s not made of money alone. The biggest investment you’ll ever make in your life is the person you’ll marry. Out of marriage comes a home, a family, eternity. You need to build a portfolio that can get you a great spouse and build a beautiful family. Add those yeshiva months to your portfolio, and you’ve moved up several notches on the Jewish marriage market.
Skills: You can pick up the basic skills for a lifetime
One semester isn’t enough time to learn one-zillionth of what you want to know, but it’s long enough to get you some basic skills so you can continue back home. You’ll know what books contain what, how to open a Talmud and get an idea of what’s flying in there, what sort of problems require an expert rabbi to solve, and how to dazzle your guests with some fascinating words of Torah at your Shabbat table. You’ll have some of the classic answers to fundamental questions under your belt, and you’ll know where to look for more.
Perhaps even more important: You’ll have the tools, the learning and perhaps even the wisdom to help you get through those bumps and crashes so unavoidable in life.
Family: Get respect from your kids
You may not have even started thinking about it, but you likely will want to send your kids to a school where they’ll learn Torah at least half a day. When they have a question or need help with homework, guess who they’re going to ask? And if they see their parents enjoy learning Torah, guess how that will influence their attitude to school?
Wealth: Cash in on your inheritance
Jews have been bantering about ideas in yeshivas for thousands of years. And Jews are bright people. Over these millennia of study, debate, creativity and more debate, we’ve built a ginormous structure, a palace of wisdom, ideas, practical guidance and approaches to knowledge. It’s a magnificent blend of harmonies, an intricate web of wisdom, an edifice of incomparable beauty—and the entire estate is yours, just waiting for you to come and pick up the keys.
Without ever entering a yeshiva, you could still enter your estate. You might make it into the front, and even explore around a little. But if you want to feel at home in your rightful home, you need that immersive yeshiva experience.
Inspiration: Get the blast of a lifetime
Imagine yourself in an environment where everyone around you is aflame with the fire of Torah. Torah is alive. You can dissect an animal, a philosopher, a poem or a book, an atomic particle or a mathematical equation—and all have one thing in common: when dissected, they are dead. No one comes out of a philosophy class singing and dancing. But they do when they dissect Torah. Because Torah is alive—every cell of it, no matter how you cut it.
Imagine Shabbat in an environment where Torah is the driving force of life. You can’t. You have to be there. But years down the road, when you’re desperate for that inspiration to keep you going, you’ll close your eyes and see yourself back there again. From that experience you’ll draw eternal life.
Here are two suggestions: The Rabbinical College of America or Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies.
By Tzvi Freeman
Dear Rabbi,
I’m an undergrad at a private college, doing really well and working hard to get into graduate school. I’m also very active with Chabad on campus. My Chabad rabbi has been bugging me to take off one semester to study in a yeshiva “some time before graduate school.” It’s still not clear to me what this yeshiva place is all about, and definitely not clear why I should take off in the middle of my studies to go there.
I really like this rabbi, I guess I’m just not getting it. Can you clarify some of this?
—A Student
Dear Student,
Before there were universities, there were yeshivas. There were people who sat around in yeshivas the whole year, discussing and studying and discussing some more. And then there were people who worked the farm or traveled afar to sell their merchandise, and then turned up at the yeshiva whenever they had a chance, to join in the study and discussion. Jews were always a literate society, and every Jew was expected to be involved somehow in the learning going on in the community.
Traditionally, most of the study in yeshiva was in pairs—two companions poring over a text together, debating its details to achieve clarity and full knowledge. A lecture is generally full of lively give-and-take between students and teacher. Traditional Jewish learning is all about asking good questions, as well as collaborating with others to come up with solutions. That’s why a yeshiva, unlike a college library, is a rather noisy place. In many ways, the methodology of study in yeshiva is way ahead of that applied in most educational institutions.
Today, there are all sorts of yeshivas. Some specialize exclusively in Talmud. Others diversify, studying practical Jewish law, history, ethics, Kabbalah and chassidic thought, etc. There are yeshivas dedicated to young men and women such as yourself, who just want to take off a semester to enrich their Jewish souls, and then get back home and finish their degree.
Chabad has a number of such yeshivas, and that’s the general thrust in these places—to give students a strong background, skills to build upon and the inspiration they need for a lifetime—and then get them back on track into their careers. Only that now, the bright lights of their Jewish soul are shining.
Now that I hope I’ve given you some vague idea of what a yeshiva is, let me provide you:
Five Top Reasons to Spend One Semester in Yeshiva
Investment: This could be the biggest investment you’ll ever make
You’re bright enough to know that your future’s not made of money alone. The biggest investment you’ll ever make in your life is the person you’ll marry. Out of marriage comes a home, a family, eternity. You need to build a portfolio that can get you a great spouse and build a beautiful family. Add those yeshiva months to your portfolio, and you’ve moved up several notches on the Jewish marriage market.
Skills: You can pick up the basic skills for a lifetime
One semester isn’t enough time to learn one-zillionth of what you want to know, but it’s long enough to get you some basic skills so you can continue back home. You’ll know what books contain what, how to open a Talmud and get an idea of what’s flying in there, what sort of problems require an expert rabbi to solve, and how to dazzle your guests with some fascinating words of Torah at your Shabbat table. You’ll have some of the classic answers to fundamental questions under your belt, and you’ll know where to look for more.
Perhaps even more important: You’ll have the tools, the learning and perhaps even the wisdom to help you get through those bumps and crashes so unavoidable in life.
Family: Get respect from your kids
You may not have even started thinking about it, but you likely will want to send your kids to a school where they’ll learn Torah at least half a day. When they have a question or need help with homework, guess who they’re going to ask? And if they see their parents enjoy learning Torah, guess how that will influence their attitude to school?
Wealth: Cash in on your inheritance
Jews have been bantering about ideas in yeshivas for thousands of years. And Jews are bright people. Over these millennia of study, debate, creativity and more debate, we’ve built a ginormous structure, a palace of wisdom, ideas, practical guidance and approaches to knowledge. It’s a magnificent blend of harmonies, an intricate web of wisdom, an edifice of incomparable beauty—and the entire estate is yours, just waiting for you to come and pick up the keys.
Without ever entering a yeshiva, you could still enter your estate. You might make it into the front, and even explore around a little. But if you want to feel at home in your rightful home, you need that immersive yeshiva experience.
Inspiration: Get the blast of a lifetime
Imagine yourself in an environment where everyone around you is aflame with the fire of Torah. Torah is alive. You can dissect an animal, a philosopher, a poem or a book, an atomic particle or a mathematical equation—and all have one thing in common: when dissected, they are dead. No one comes out of a philosophy class singing and dancing. But they do when they dissect Torah. Because Torah is alive—every cell of it, no matter how you cut it.
Imagine Shabbat in an environment where Torah is the driving force of life. You can’t. You have to be there. But years down the road, when you’re desperate for that inspiration to keep you going, you’ll close your eyes and see yourself back there again. From that experience you’ll draw eternal life.
Here are two suggestions: The Rabbinical College of America or Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies.
Farbrangen with Rabbi Michoel Seligson!
Tuesday October 4th, 2011
In honor of the 6th of Tishrie the Yeshiva was honored to host author and lecturer Rabbi Michoel Seligson of Crown Heights. The Rabbi is a spiritual mentor/Mashpia in one of the most prominent Chabad institutions in Crown Heights,NY, Ohelie Torah.
The Farbrangen went on for about 5 hours!!! At one point Rabbi Seligson taught a lesson from a known story about Rebetzin Chana (the Rebbe's mother). We are told how it was with great devotion to her husband Kabalist Rabbi Levi Y Schneerson that the Rebetzin voluntarily traveled into exile to assist him in any way possible. She is famous for learning how to formulate certain inks based on wild herbs that she would gather in the fields. This enabled her husband to document his insightful Torah thoughts on the minimal space allowed on the margins of the books that he mangaed to bring with him.
"Do you think that Rebetzin Chana had any idea that as a result of her self sacrifice, teachings of Torah would later reach thousands? Do you think she knew that later her son the Lubavitcher Rebbe would print these writings into books and use them to inspire the masses? Certainly not! From here we can learn that we may never know the impact of one good deed! Yet we must be ready to do whatever it takes to accomplish it!"
Rabbi Seligson went on to speak about the importance of fine detail. Recounting with many first hand stories how this was illustrated by the Rebbe.
In honor of the 6th of Tishrie the Yeshiva was honored to host author and lecturer Rabbi Michoel Seligson of Crown Heights. The Rabbi is a spiritual mentor/Mashpia in one of the most prominent Chabad institutions in Crown Heights,NY, Ohelie Torah.
The Farbrangen went on for about 5 hours!!! At one point Rabbi Seligson taught a lesson from a known story about Rebetzin Chana (the Rebbe's mother). We are told how it was with great devotion to her husband Kabalist Rabbi Levi Y Schneerson that the Rebetzin voluntarily traveled into exile to assist him in any way possible. She is famous for learning how to formulate certain inks based on wild herbs that she would gather in the fields. This enabled her husband to document his insightful Torah thoughts on the minimal space allowed on the margins of the books that he mangaed to bring with him.
"Do you think that Rebetzin Chana had any idea that as a result of her self sacrifice, teachings of Torah would later reach thousands? Do you think she knew that later her son the Lubavitcher Rebbe would print these writings into books and use them to inspire the masses? Certainly not! From here we can learn that we may never know the impact of one good deed! Yet we must be ready to do whatever it takes to accomplish it!"
Rabbi Seligson went on to speak about the importance of fine detail. Recounting with many first hand stories how this was illustrated by the Rebbe.
