The days of the month of Menachem Av, bringing with them a breeze of comfort and renewal, are deeply felt throughout the pastoral educational campus in the Istra neighborhood in the suburbs of Moscow. In this uplifting atmosphere, the 5786 graduating class of the Central Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva Ketana of Russia gathered for a moving end-of-year ceremony, blending the culmination of their hard work and dedication with a new beginning as they ascend to the Yeshiva Gedolah. The event opened with “Maros Kodesh” featuring words from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, explaining that in Torah study, there is no such thing as an end; rather, one must always continue to add more and more.
The MC, Mashpia Rabbi Chanan Teichtel, opened by speaking about the magnitude of this moving event and warmly welcomed the excited parents who traveled from near and far. Next, the dedicated Rosh Yeshiva, HaGaon HaChasid Rabbi Moshe Lerman, was invited to deliver the keynote address. He spoke with great emotion about the “Nachas” of seeing the students elevate themselves in Torah and Chassidus since they first entered the walls of the Yeshiva. The excited parents and students also had the privilege of hearing from the Mashpia of the graduating class.
The climax of the event came with the screening of a special blessing from the Yeshiva’s founder, the Shliach and Chief Rabbi of Russia, HaGaon Rabbi Berel Lazar. In his remarks, he discussed the virtue of a conclusion, which is actually a beginning on a higher level, much like Simchas Torah, where immediately after completing the Torah, we start anew. Rabbi Lazar wished the Temimim that they merit to study diligently with true joy and sweetness in Torah.
The meticulously planned event, organized with great taste by the campus director, Shliach Rabbi Yosef Moshe Weisberg, and the Yeshiva director, Shliach Rabbi Chaim Moshe Weber, concluded with a profound sense of spiritual elevation. The Temimim embarked on their new path, equipped with immense spiritual reserves and ready to continue dedicating themselves in the tent of Torah with even greater vigor.
Speaking on behalf of the parents, the CEO of Chabad Institutions in Petersburg, Shliach Rabbi Chaim Shaul Brook, served as the voice for all the parents, expressing profound gratitude for the immense and unceasing dedication to the students. He also presented a gift to each of the educators on behalf of all the excited parents.
The conclusion of the event was dedicated to appreciating the fruits of their labor, as graduation and appreciation certificates were distributed to all Shiur Gimmel students. Alongside these, elegant Chitas sets embossed with each student’s name were awarded. Acknowledgments were also given to the student Shluchim who worked devotedly for their peers throughout the entire year.
The full transcript of Rabbi Lazar’s blessing screened at the event: “Dear students of the Yeshiva Ketana in Moscow. First, I would like to bless you upon the conclusion of the academic year and ahead of the new beginning that stands before us starting today. As is known, every conclusion carries with it a great joy, similar to how we celebrate the ‘completion of the Torah’ on Simchas Torah, only to immediately begin anew with ‘Bereishis Bara.’ This means that we proceed right away, with renewed strength, toward a new period and a higher level of learning. After all, every year, with the conclusion of our studies, we ascend a level thanks to the knowledge we have acquired, and we embark on a new path filled with limitless possibilities.
In light of this, my hope and wishes are that, with G-d’s help, the rest of your journey will be even more successful. May you invest your utmost energy into Torah study with diligence and perseverance. As we request every morning: ‘V’ha’arev na Hashem Elokeinu et divrei Toras’cha’ (‘Please, L-rd our G-d, sweeten the words of Your Torah’) – our goal does not merely end with the study itself, but with studying out of true joy; that the Torah should be sweet to us, creating a connection of pleasantness and sweetness. It goes without saying that one should aim to study ‘Torah Lishmah’ (for its own sake), but beyond that – we must feel the ‘Giving of the Torah’ every single day. Indeed, the Rebbe always emphasizes that they should not just be ‘like new,’ but ‘truly new.’ Our aspiration is that every time we open the Gemara, the Maamarim, the Halacha sefarim, or any other area of study, we will learn it with a sense of new discovery, accompanied by all the vitality and enthusiasm characteristic of new beginnings.
This enthusiasm is especially important, because when you finish a chapter of study in one place and move to a new chapter, you must invest immense vitality into it. I recall from my own time studying in Yeshiva, the thought occurred to me that the ideal approach would be to open a new ‘Zman’ (semester) or move to a new Yeshiva every single month, because the beginning of a new year brings with it an abundance of vigor, fresh energy, and great enthusiasm. This is exactly my wish for you – that every single day should be for you like this kind of new beginning. How much more so now, with the start of the summer season – a period which the Rebbe notes is capable of bringing a significant increase in Torah study. I ask that you channel all the vitality pulsing within you toward your learning, and that you embody the concept of ‘Maalin Bakodesh’ (ascending in holiness), through constant elevation and unstoppable progress.
Finally, alongside my wishes for abundant success, I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to the entire dedicated Yeshiva staff: the Rosh Yeshiva, the Ramim, the Mashpiim, the Mashgichim, and the student Shluchim – to all those who invested immense effort and endless resources in you.
The greatest reward you can give them is for them to see how you continue, both this year and in the upcoming good year, to reap great success in Torah study with joy and a glad heart. Once again, a blessing of Mazal Tov is sent to you, along with my sincere wishes for great and immense success in your continuing journey!”
Photography: Levi Nazarov
