250 Bochurim Celebrate Tanya Mastery at Crown Heights Siyum

Some 250 bochurim participated in the second cycle of Neros Leha’ir, a program dedicated to the in-depth study of all 53 chapters of Likutei Amarim. The cycle concluded with a siyum held in Crown Heights, marking an extended period of learning, chazarah, and comprehensive tests.

The initiative was established several years ago by Rabbi Shmuel Yeshayahu, shliach in Vancouver, Canada, to help bochurim gain a broad and thorough understanding of Tanya, including the structure and flow of each perek. Participants receive seforim, study booklets, and review materials. The program also includes learning Tanya with mekuravim at Chabad Houses, allowing bochurim to share what they have learned.

Rabbi Yudi Eisenbach, shliach in Fair Lawn, NJ, and Rabbi Simcha Birnhack, shliach in Rishon L’Tzion, oversee the program. It currently operates in yeshivos throughout Eretz Yisroel, in cooperation with the hanhalos of Tomchei Temimim. The yeshiva in Kiryat Gat also provided special stipends for participating bochurim.

The latest cycle was made possible through the support of Rabbi Shmuel Yeshayahu and Mr. Daniel Friedmann, together with Rabbi Yitzchak Mishan and R’ Dovid Smetana.

At the siyum, Rabbi Yossi Paltiel, mashpia at Yeshivas Chovevei Torah in Crown Heights; Rabbi Shlomo Kaplan, rosh yeshiva at Oholei Torah and mashpia at the Central Yeshiva in 770; and Rabbi Eli Matusof, author of Otzar Peirushim Al Sefer HaTanya, spoke about ideas in Tanya and the importance of continued learning and review.

Rabbi Yeshayahu also addressed the gathering, speaking about the importance of giving bochurim a strong foundation in Tanya and continuing to develop the program.

The main address was delivered by Rabbi Yosef Klyne, mashpia at Tomchei Temimim in Nyack. He explained that Tanya speaks to every Yid, regardless of his situation or spiritual level, and helps each person find his own path to yechidus with the Rebbe. He stressed the importance of learning Tanya thoroughly so that its teachings become part of the learner’s inner life.

During the event, organizers announced plans to expand Neros Leha’ir. While the program currently operates in yeshivos in Eretz Yisroel, they hope, b’ezras Hashem, to bring it to additional locations, increase the number of participants, and develop new learning tracks.

It was also announced that the entire initiative, including its current and future programs, will be dedicated l’ilui nishmas Hatomim Hashliach Yaakov Meir Eisenbach, a”h, son of Rabbi Tzvi Akiva Eisenbach, who passed away suddenly in recent weeks. Meir, a”h, was himself a participant in the program’s first cycle.

Following the siyum, the bochurim gathered for a farbrengen with Rabbi Shlomo Zarchi, mashpia at the Central Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva in 770. Rabbi Zarchi spoke about the lasting kinyan Torah gained by learning Tanya from beginning to end, reviewing it, and being tested on it.

At one point during the farbrengen, Rabbi Zarchi tested the bochurim on various perakim and concepts in Tanya. He expressed his appreciation for their knowledge and their ability to explain the material they had learned.

Rabbi Yeshayahu later continued the farbrengen and shared accounts of mofsim connected with the establishment and success of the organization. The evening concluded with the bochurim expressing appreciation for the opportunity to acquire a lasting knowledge of Tanya.