Melbourne Cheder Celebrates Boy’s Mastery of 12 Perokim Tanya

Cheder Levi Yitzchok in Melbourne celebrated a student’s remarkable accomplishment: learning Yud Beis Perakim Tanya baal peh before his Bar Mitzvah.

Erev Shabbos at Cheder Levi Yitzchok brought together boys, bochurim, staff, and family to celebrate twelve-year-old Chaim Meir Kamentzky completing all of Yud Beis Perakim Tanya baal peh.

Chaim Meir completed his testing on Chai Elul, fittingly the birthday of the Alter Rebbe, reciting all 12 perakim word for word, b’vas achas, to his grandfather.

The achievement reflects the wider Tanya and Mishnayos baal peh framework run by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Gordon across Melbourne, carrying out the Rebbe’s directive to “אייננעמען אוסטראליע דורך לימוד התורה” (conquer Australia through limud haTorah). Within Cheder Melbourne itself, Tanya and Mishnayos baal peh have long been a core part of the culture, highlighted two years ago when an entire class finished Yud Beis Perakim together. Chaim Meir is only the second individual student in the Cheder’s history, following Mendel Schneier, to accomplish the feat before his Bar Mitzvah.

The program opened with remarks from Head of School Rabbi Mendel Cohen, who shared the well-known story of the Rebbe Maharash showing the future Rebbe Rashab a Chassid in Gan Eden whose dedication to learning Tanya baal peh elevated him to a high madreigah.

Sholom Mann, one of the Talmidim Hashluchim to the Cheder, spoke next, connecting the milestone to the Rebbe’s words to Rabbi Nosson Gurary that true, joyful hiskashrus comes from becoming a lamdan amiti in both Nigleh and Pnimiyus HaTorah.

Speeches were given by Chaim Meir’s parents, grandparents, and a classmate, interspersed with video greetings from out-of-town family and live spot-testing by his classmates. They opened to random lines anywhere across the twelve perakim, and Chaim Meir seamlessly continued from memory, acing each test on the spot.

Cheder founder Mr. Kornhauser also spoke about the impact of the milestone on the student body, noting how achievements by fellow students set a new standard for the other boys. He also made a contribution to the Cheder’s seforim and library fund in Chaim Meir’s honor.

The gathering concluded with Chaim Meir’s teacher, Rabbi Gedaliah Levin, presenting him with a certificate and a portrait of the Rebbe.

Kol hakavod to Chaim Meir on this incredible achievement!