New Sefer to Explore Semicha Through the Lens of our Rebbeim

Did you know that there are psakim from every Rebbe on the halachos studied for semicha? A new revolutionary sefer in the works is collecting the chidushim, responsa, and psakim from our Rebbeim on the topics learned for semicha, making complex halacha accessible to all.

“Smichas Rabboiseinu” This revolutionary work collects the chidushim, responsa, and psakim from our Rebbeim on the topics learned for semicha.

Every year, hundreds of Lubavitchers learn and receive semicha through a wide range of semicha programs. Talented maggidei shiurim work hard to give the talmidim the confidence and knowledge to navigate the details and nuances of halachos related to Kashrus. These young men spend hours immersed in the words of the Tur, Beis Yosef, Mechaber, Rema, Shach, and Taz. The depth of learning is impressive.

However, would you believe that the average talmid spends almost no time learning what our Rebbeim wrote on these topics?

In almost every other area of life—whether it’s marriage, chinuch, or avodas Hashem—we have access to seforim that help us see things through the eyes of our Raboseinu Nesi’einu. But when it comes to learning semicha, most bochurim have no exposure to what the Rebbeim actually said or paskened about the very halachos they’re learning.

That’s where Smichas Rabboiseinu comes in.

This revolutionary work collects the chidushim, responsa, and psakim from our Rebbeim and presents them clearly and accessibly, directly aligned with the topics covered in semicha.

The author, Rabbi Menachem Kahn, previously published Keses Hasofer—an encyclopedia on the halachos of safrus, complete with annotated psakim from the Chabad Rebbeim—which quickly became a staple among Chabad sofrim and many others.

Harav Osdoba praised Rabbi Kahn’s Keses Hasofer, stating, “Every Lubavitcher sofer must learn from Rabbi Kahn’s Keses Hasofer.” There is no doubt that his new work, Smichas Rabboiseinu, will likewise become a staple in every semicha program.

Now, with Smichas Rabboiseinu, Rabbi Kahn continues his mission of making the halachic Torah of our Rebbeim accessible—often bringing to light psakim and sources that were barely known before. He has earned the respect of many leading Lubavitcher rabbanim for his deep research and ability to analyze complex halachic material.

This sefer contains often lesser-known rulings from our Rebbeim. Did you know that there are psakim from every Rebbe on the halachos studied for semicha? In fact, there are hundreds of psakim and teshuvos spanning nearly every section of the simanim typically learned in a standard semicha curriculum.

Now, this sefer will finally allow those learning semicha to do so with the Torah of the Rebbeim at their fingertips.

Of course, printing a sefer like this comes at significant cost. But with your help, we can ensure this important work reaches the hands of every serious learner preparing for semicha.

The Rebbe related in a Sicha:

“When we were dealing with reprinting the Shu”t Tzemach Tzedek in America for the first time, the Frierdiker Rebbe suggested that a particular individual be asked to cover the costs. This person was not in a situation where such sums were within his budget. Nonetheless, he accepted it upon himself and the Frierdiker Rebbe gave him a bracha. Soon after, he became wealthy and was able to fulfill his promise in full, donating the entire amount necessary for the printing.

The Frierdiker Rebbe said then, that at the time when he had charged this person with this responsibility, it actually truly was beyond his capabilities. It was beyond even the potential that was assigned for him in Heaven. However, through making this worthy commitment, that itself opened up new pipelines of parnassah for him above, in order that he should be able to fulfill his commitment”.

Partner with us. Sponsor a page, a section, or even a full printing—and take part in this historic effort to bring the voice of the Rebbeim into the world of halacha.

Let the next bochur learning the halachos of Basar B’Chalav or Taruvos see not just what the Rema or Shach said—but also what the Tzemach Tzedek, the Rebbe Rashab, or the Rebbe himself taught.
Donate today at http://merkazhaseforim.org/. Your help will bring Smichas Rabboiseinu to life—and make you a part of what may be one of the most important seforim on semicha to be published in our generation.