Empire Shtiebel Hosts a Night of Torah

On Monday night, the second night of Chol Hamoed Sukkos, Empire Shtiebel hosted a special Kinus Torah, drawing a large crowd from across the Crown Heights community for an evening dedicated to Torah learning and in-depth halachic discussion.

Boruch Hashem, the turnout was impressive, with many members of the community coming together.

The evening opened with Rabbi Tuvia Kasimov, Moreh Hora’ah of the shul, who welcomed the assembled and spoke about the importance of establishing set times for Torah learning. He highlighted the Kinus as an ideal springboard for beginning the new year with a renewed commitment to kvius itim laTorah.

Rabbi Kasimov then introduced the first speaker, Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky, member of the Vaad Rabonei Lubavitch. Rabbi Bogomilsky delivered an in-depth shiur exploring the question of whether a sukkah was required in the Beis Hamikdash during the times of the Beis Hamikdash, bringing various sources and considerations to the discussion.

Following him, Rabbi Shlomo Halevi Apple, Av Beis Din of Svaliva, addressed the halachic issues surrounding tying down schach, as well as the questions involved with placing or mixing schach with materials that are mekabel tumah. The topic was particularly relevant following this year’s storm, which brought the practical issue of securing sukkos to the forefront for many.

The third speaker was Rabbi Meir Yisrael Isser Ludmir, Av Beis Din of Pressburg in Lakewood. Rabbi Ludmir began by sharing a personal connection to Empire Shtiebel, noting that his grandfather served as the Rov of the Shtiebel many years ago. He expressed the kavod it was for him to return to the Shtiebel and speak.

Rabbi Ludmir also spoke about his family’s relationship with the Rebbe before turning to an extensive shiur on the halachic implications of this year’s Shanah Me’uberes, the leap year, and the various halachos associated with it. He combined numerous sources from the Rebbe’s sichos, providing a detailed and thought-provoking look at the subject.

The final speaker of the evening was Rabbi Menachem Mendel Kaminker, Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta Lubavitch of Baltimore. Rabbi Kaminker delivered an in-depth shiur on the halachos of birchos hanehenin, focusing particularly on the concepts surrounding the bracha of Shehecheyanu. He explored the differences between the approaches of the Alter Rebbe and the Tzemach Tzedek, and their shitos.

As the final shiur concluded, the Kinus came to a close with a sense of satisfaction and simchas haTorah. Those in attendance left with an appreciation for the opportunity to spend an evening in Torah learning, and with a renewed resolve to continue strengthening kvius itim laTorah.

The Kinus also left the attendees with a desire to see more such programs in the future.