Antwerp Yeshiva Experiences an Uplifting Shabbos by the Rebbe

As part of their yearly tradition, students from Shiur Beis and Gimmel of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim Antwerp traveled to New York for a meaningful and uplifting Shabbos by the Rebbe, following extensive preparation.

As part of an annual tradition, students from Shiur Beis and Gimmel of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim Antwerp traveled to New York for an inspiring Shabbos by the Rebbe, following months of preparation.

Before embarking on the trip, the bochurim participated in an intense learning program, which included learning the Rebbe’s Torah and studying much of maseches kesubos and sukkah. The preparations also included a special farbrengen with Rabbi Shabtai Slavaticki, the head shliach of Antwerp and founder of the yeshiva, who shared guidance on how a bochur should prepare for traveling to the Rebbe and what it means to go into yechidus in today’s times.

Accompanied by Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Menachem Mendel Tvardovitz and mashpia Rabbi Yehoshua Rabinowitz, the bochurim traveled to New York, where they spent the weekend davening and learning in 770 and at the Ohel.

On Thursday night, the bochurim had a farbrengen with Rabbi Levi Garelik, who spoke about the history of purchasing 770 and encouraged them to strengthen their hiskashrus to the Rebbe.

On Friday, the bochurim went out to Manhattan on mivtzoim, putting tefillin on dozens of fellow Jews.

The highlight of the trip was spending Shabbos at the Ohel. On Friday night, a special farbrengen took place with Rabbi Sagie Har Shefer, head shliach of Nes Tziona. He inspired the bochurim with stories about the Rebbe and emphasized the importance of studying Chassidus and memorizing Tanya in public places.

On Shabbos afternoon, the bochurim had another farbrengen with Rabbi Hershel Spalter, shliach in Costa Rica, and Rabbi Chaim Baruch Halberstam, a mashbak in the Rebbe’s house. The two shared many personal experiences with the Rebbe and urged the talmidim to cherish every moment in the Rebbe’s presence.

On Sunday, the group toured the Rebbe’s Library, where Rabbi Berel Levin gave a fascinating shiur on the halachos relevant to this year’s unique occurrence of Erev Pesach falling on Shabbos.

Later that day, they davened Mincha in the Rebbe’s home and then visited the broadcasting room of 770, where Rabbi Mendel Eisenbach and bochur Chaim Kramer shared with them many unknown details about 770.

On Sunday evening, a grand farewell banquet was hosted by Reb Berel Junik, where he urged the bochurim to take their inspiration back home and spread Chassidus in Antwerp. Rabbi Yosef Garelik shared many stories about his time in 770 and spoke about the unbelievable power of learning Torah. It was a very uplifting farbrengen and concluded with joyous dancing.

Each bochur also received a volume of Toras Menachem, Chelek 83, as a memento of the trip, generously sponsored by Reb Moshe Halevi Klein.

The yeshiva administration expressed deep appreciation to Rabbi Shlomo Binyamin Kuritz for organizing the Mivtza Torah, and to Moshe Vishetzky and the other shluchim of the yeshiva who coordinated the trip, ensuring everything ran smoothly.

They also expressed thanks to Reb Oded Shapira and his family, whose support made the trip possible and to Reb Moshe Rubashkin for providing food and accommodations.