Lavish Event Celebrates Hundreds of Semicha Graduates

Hundreds of graduates of Lemaan Yilmedu’s 5786 programs received their certificates at a grand festive Semicha Celebration attended by prominent rabbonim, dayanim and heads of the organization’s various learning tracks.

The event marked the culmination of months of intensive study, review and examinations for hundreds of participants, including shluchim, community rabbonim, businessmen and working professionals who set aside regular time for structured halacha study despite demanding schedules.

The evening was emceed by popular radio personality Ami Maimon and featured addresses from leading rabbonim, presentations by representatives of the graduating classes, and the distribution of certificates to graduates of the various programs.

Among the rabbonim in attendance were Bnei Brak rov Rabbi Chaim Yitzchok Aizik Landau; Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi and Av Beis Din Rabbi Zevadiah Cohen; Rabbi Pinchas Althaus, acting rov of Rishon LeZion; Rabbi Chaim Kizner, representing the Beis Din Rabbonei Chabad; and the rabbonim who teach and oversee Lemaan Yilmedu’s various programs.

Rabbi Yehoshua Lifsh, a dayan and moreh tzedek in Haifa and one of the program’s rabbonim, praised the determination of the participants, noting how professionals and businessmen had managed to carve out consistent time for serious Torah study. He encouraged the graduates to use the occasion to make a firm commitment to continue advancing in their learning.

Rabbi Aizik Landau spoke passionately about the effect that serious halacha study has not only on the individual but on his entire home.

“You learned halacha and transformed your home into a Beis Hamikdash,” he told the graduates, urging them not to view their new certificates as an endpoint, but to immediately begin working toward the next level of learning.

Rabbi Althaus described the difference he has observed among rabbonim who have completed the programs, noting that their questions demonstrate a stronger command of the material and a greater ability to grapple with practical halachic issues.

“A tremendous transformation has taken place here, and I am happy to be a part of it,” he said.

Rabbi Kizner congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments and stressed the responsibility carried by anyone called upon to answer questions in halacha. A rov’s words carry considerable weight, he noted, making continued study and careful consideration of every question essential.

Rabbi Cohen spoke about the siyata diShmaya necessary for both Torah study and rabbonus, and the importance of understanding the individual asking a shaila and tailoring the response appropriately.

“The certificate is a good certificate,” he told the graduates, “but the certificate cannot remain in the cabinet.” Receiving semicha, he stressed, must lead to continued ameilus in Torah and practical service to others.

Several graduates shared their own journeys through the programs.

Rabbi Meir Raff, representing graduates of the Community Rabbonus program, traveled especially from Johannesburg, South Africa. As a school administrator and community rov, he initially struggled to imagine fitting another demanding course of study into his schedule. Once he began, however, he discovered that he could make the necessary time and continue progressing despite his many responsibilities.

“It was worth every hour,” he said. He received his certificate from Rabbi Chaim Prus.

Rabbi Chaim Kafri, representing students in the Yadin Yadin program, praised the depth of the curriculum and its emphasis on genuine understanding. The goal, he said, is not merely to pass an examination but to prepare students to properly address real-life halachic questions.

“This isn’t just another institute,” he said. “It is a large beis medrash of halacha and Torah.”

Rabbi Rahav Harari, representing the Yoreh Yoreh program, related how his activities in a moshav that once lacked even a Yom Kippur minyan eventually led to the establishment of a permanent minyan. Addressing his fellow graduates, he urged them to use the Torah they had acquired to influence others.

“You received a title, but that title was already within you,” he said. “From this moment, we go from being influenced to becoming influencers.”

A particularly practical illustration of the connection between study and action came from Rabbi Oded Kravchik. Having completed and been tested on the Chuppah V’Kiddushin program, he left the event to officiate at a chuppah that very evening, underscoring the message that receiving semicha is not only the conclusion of a course of study, but the beginning of a new responsibility.

Certificates were presented to graduates of numerous programs, including Issur V’Heter, Practical Shabbos, Rav B’Beiso, Shul Rabbonus, Community Rabbonus, Yoreh Yoreh, Yadin Yadin, Chuppah V’Kiddushin and STaM.

Lod Mayor Yair Revivo, who attended as a guest of honor at the request of his brother-in-law Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen, congratulated Rabbi Cohen on receiving his certificate and extended his wishes to all of the graduates. He also invited Lemaan Yilmedu to hold its next gathering in the city of Lod.

Also participating in the program were Rabbi Chizkiyahu Samin, Rabbi Yisroel Halperin, Rabbi Ariel Gabay, Rabbi Shemaya Hecht, Rabbi Binyamin Perminger, Lemaan Yilmedu chairman Rabbi Yisroel Maal, Rabbi Chaim Prus, Rabbi Menachem Chefetz, Rabbi Amram Suissa, Rabbi Betzalel Wilshansky and Rabbi Yechiel Neustadt.

Throughout the evening, the recurring message from the rabbonim was that the certificates should serve not as a conclusion, but as an impetus to continue learning. They bentched the graduates that they should use their knowledge to increase Torah learning, continue advancing in halacha, and become trusted Torah resources for their communities.

Toward the conclusion of the event, the graduates gathered for group photographs with the rabbonim in attendance. The formal celebration then gave way to spontaneous dancing, as the graduates danced with their newly received certificates to music by Dudi Brook.

Photos: Mendy Kurant