In honor of Hei Teves, when we celebrate the “Didan Notzach of the seforim,” Yagdil Torah of Montreal held a full day of learning, shiurim, and a grand farbrengen, drawing over 100 participants.

The special day was enhanced by the presence of Rabbi Binyomin Bitton, Shliach of the Rebbe to Downtown Vancouver, BC, and noted online maggid shiur in Nigleh and Chassidus, who guided special sessions and shiurim throughout the day.

In addition to the many shiurim and sessions, the participants were treated to a light breakfast and a fully catered lunch, before concluding the day with a grand farbrengen.

“When the Rebbe spoke about the Yom Tov of Hei Teves for the first time,” organizer Rabbi Shmuel Shuchat told Anash.org, “the Rebbe said that since it is the victory of the seforim, we need to look into the seforim to see what the seforim themselves say. This is what we tried to do here.”

The day started with Shacharis and a light breakfast, followed by chavrusa learning as preparation for the first shiur on One Torah: Merging Nigleh and Chassidus, where Rabbi Bitton explained how halacha, philosophy, and chassidus are all part of ‘One Torah.’ When merged, the Nigleh not only aligns with the Chassidus interpretation, but the Chassidus perspective also clarifies and brings meaning to the Nigleh.

After Mincha and a fully catered lunch, chavrusa studies resumed as participants prepared for the next special session on the methodology of ‘Leshitasei’ – a unique method of study commonly found in the Gemara and meforshim, with particular focus on the Rebbe’s novel approach.

Following Maariv, the third and final lecture of the day took place, covering the Rogatchover’s unique perspective on the definition of ownership by a Jewish leader, such as the Melech or the Kohen Gadol, and its ramifications in several sugyos, including the story of Hei Teves.

The day concluded with a beautiful farbrengen with Rabbi Bitton to celebrate Hei Teves – Didan Notzach.

“Baruch Hashem, the day was one huge success,” Rabbi Shuchat tells Anash.org. “The atmosphere of chassidim coming together on a weekday over a sefer, and then concluding with a l’chaim at the end, was very special. Indeed, didan d’haseforim notzach.”