New Kollel L’Rabbonei Chabad Begins with 75 Members

The New Kollel L’Rabbonei Chabad began its inaugural session with over 75 Rabbanim participants from around the world. The 8-year virtual Kollel will empower current and aspiring Rabbanim with an advanced understanding of Halacha and Hora’ah.

The New Kollel L’Rabbonei Chabad began its inaugural session with over 75 Rabbanim participants from around the world. The 8-year virtual Kollel is a joint project between Merkos 302’s Beis Medrash L’Shluchim and Kollel L’Rabbonei Chabad. It aims to empower current and aspiring Rabbanim with an advanced understanding of Halacha and Hora’ah.

The inaugural session of the Kollel began with inspiring words from Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Vice Chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch, encouraging the participants in their tremendous commitment and fulfillment of the Rebbe’s wishes to learn Torah Aliba Dehilchisa. 

Rabbi Chaim Raskin, Rov of the Chabad community in Petach Tikva and the Rosh HaKollel, praised the participants for their dedication to growing in Halacha and being of better service to the Klal. He referenced a Yud Shevat farbrengen where the Rebbe spoke of the Frierdiker Rebbe’s call to establish institutions to train Morei Hora’ah, emphasizing the goal of the Kollel L’Rabbonei Chabad is to enable participants to Pasken halachos with in-depth understanding and shimush.

Rabbi Mordechai Farkash, Shliach and Rov in Bellevue, Washington, and a member of the Vaad Harabonim of the Kollel, spoke of the significance of this program. “I have had the privilege to be part of many programs to help Rabbanim, but I have never seen such a serious learning curriculum for growth in Rabbanus,” said Rabbi Farkash.

The Kollel members are currently studying the Halachos of Tevilas Keilim and Hagala and will embark on an 18-month in-depth study of Hilchos Niddah after Pesach. The program will incorporate a unique shimush program allowing the Shluchim to become experts in Hilchos Niddah by learning the yesodos in Crown Heights over a few days. The shimush would then continue over a two-year period through an innovative mailing system developed by the Kollel. 

Rabbi Tuvia Kasimov, the Sgan Rosh Kollel, emphasized the importance of lifelong learning for Rabbanus. He delivered an in-depth shiur on the first five seifim of siman קכ of Yoreh Deah, starting with an analysis of the Gemara, Rishonim, Taz and Shach, R’ Akiva Eiger, the Alter Rebbe and much more. 

Rabbi Betzalel Bassman, the Menahel, spoke about how it is an honor to partner with Rabbi Kotlarsky and Beis Medrash L’Shluchim at Merkos 302 led by Rabbi Mendel Chaiton in helping support the global community of Shluchim and Yiddishkeit around the world.

The new initiative is a testament to the commitment of the Chabad community to providing ongoing education and support for its Rabbanim. Through the collaboration of many Rabbanim and Mosdos, the Kollel L’Rabbonei Chabad is poised to become a leading institution for Rabbanic training. As Rabbi Kasimov, said, “Learning for Rabbanus is a lifetime job.” The Kollel L’Rabbonei Chabad is providing the tools to make that job easier and more fulfilling for its participants.

The Kollel is opening registration for the new zman starting after Pesach. Registration closes before Purim. 

Here is a link for a sample of the shiurim and resources offered during a week at the Kollel.

You can register for the new semester here.