The Mesivta in Antwerp, Belgium, which caters to the children of shluchim and Anash from across Europe, held a grand event at the end of a fruitful year of learning, to celebrate those bochurim who mastered the entire mesechta Bava Basra, the longest in all of Shas.
By Anash.org staff
A grand event was held at the Mesivta in Antwerp, Belgium at the conclusion of a full and fruitful year of learning. This yeshiva, which caters to the children of shluchim and Anash from across Europe, included the giving out of certificates of excellence as part of the ‘Mivtza Torah’ campaign conducted over the past year.
The yeshiva, now home to nearly 100 students, has earned a prestigious reputation among Chabad yeshivos worldwide, including students from Budapest, Manchester, Milan, Holland, Frankfurt, Miami, and many other locations.
As the year came to a close, several parents, who themselves are shluchim across Europe, gathered to celebrate the success of their children. These students have invested their utmost effort every day in studying Nigleh and Chassidus, as well as in their heartfelt and dedicated davening.
Around beautifully set tables, the parents, along with their children, joined in a seuda in honor of the completion of the Torah study.
The event was led by Rabbi Shmuel Frankel, who is deeply involved in the affairs of the yeshiva and assists in all matters. He began his speech by highlighting the privilege of completing another year of studies, noting the visible success and dedication of the yeshiva’s staff.
The event began with words from the bochur Menachem Mendel Havlin from Frankfurt, Germany, who recounted a maamar on the topic of “V’asu Li Mikdash” and expressed his gratitude to the yeshiva’s administration after three years of study and personal growth.
The bochur Shmuel Yochai Amsalem from Geneva, Switzerland, completed mesechta Horayos (as part of the Daf Yomi cycle he is learning) and turned the meal into a seudas mitzva, in line with the Rebbe’s wishes.
Following him, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Simon from London, England, spoke warmly about the yeshiva’s administration and described the special atmosphere of familial unity and love among all the students, praising the staff’s dedication. He expressed gratitude to each member of the administration and wished continued success in their holy work.
Rabbi Yehoshua Rabinowitz, the yeshiva’s head mashgiach and maggid shiur of shiur gimmel, elaborated on the importance of providing students with spiritual experiences, not just explanations, and praised the yeshiva for offering this to every student. He concluded his remarks to a standing ovation from the audience.
Rabbi Shabtai Slavaticki, founder of the yeshiva and longtime shliach to Belgium, spoke passionately about the privilege of every student to be connected to the Rebbe and be ready to fulfill their unique mission in the world. He emphasized how every student is special and must use their strengths to accomplish their tasks and bring the revelation of the Shechina in this world.
The speeches concluded with warm words from Rabbi Menachem Mendel Tvardovitz, head of the yeshiva. He emphasized the parents’ duty to appreciate their children’s Torah learning and shared how Reb Yoel related that as a child his home was prepared twice a week: in honor of Shabbat and for the arrival of bochurim. He stressed the importance of enthusiasm and warmth when a student returns home after a year of dedicated Torah study. He also highlighted the importance of perseverance and dedication in learning Nigleh and Chassidus.
Rabbi Shlomo Koritz was invited to the stage along with the esteemed donor Mr. Oded Shapiro, who generously supported the Mivtza Torah campaign. Rabbi Koritz, who has successfully managed the mivtza for many years, called upon the stage the bochurim who excelled in learning mesechta Bava Basra and passed the test with success.
In these moving moments, no eye remained dry as the yeshiva students, children of Chabad emissaries serving in remote corners of the globe, stood proudly in long lines with their certificates, carrying the Chassidic pride of the flame of fire passed down to them by their emissary parents. They vowed to continue their Torah learning and spreading of Chassidus, bringing immense joy to the Rebbe.
The yeshiva administration expressed gratitude to Rabbi Shlomo Koritz for his dedication to the Mivtza Torah campaign and for managing it with excellence. They also thanked the bochur Moshe Vishedsky for his significant help throughout the year in renovating the yeshiva. Additionally, they acknowledged the support of the yeshiva’s friend R’ Ben Tzion Goldberger, who generously assists the yeshiva and takes care of the students’ well-being with great care and dedication.
The yeshiva administration also wished to thank photographer David Bernal for capturing the event.
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