Following the written final test of the Halikut program of the Vaad Talmidei Hatmimim, the program advanced into its live finals, marking the culmination of months of intensive learning by bochurim across the globe. Results of the hundreds of tests were calculated quickly, and within minutes, the top 12 bochurim worldwide were identified and invited to take part in the live on-stage Chidon.

The live round was conducted by the event’s emcee, Rabbi Moshe Gourarie, Shliach in Toms River, NJ, who guided the finalists through a rapid series of multiple-choice questions displayed on screen. Contestants responded in real time, testing their knowledge and clarity under pressure. At the conclusion of this round, six finalists advanced to the next stage.

The second round featured direct questioning by a distinguished panel of Rabbonim deeply connected to the preparation and transmission of the Rebbe’s Sichos: Rabbi Dovid Olidort, Rabbi Leibel Schapiro, and Rabbi Nachman Shapiro. Drawing on their firsthand experience with Hanochos and the original development of the Sichos, the Rabbonim posed probing questions, narrowing the field to the top three finalists.

Advancing to the final round were Leibel Greenberg and Yehuda Srugo, both learning in Tomchei Temimim of Morristown, NJ, and Berel Silberberg, learning in Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad Zal, representing yeshivos across the globe. The three were tested further by the Rabbonim in an intense final exchange, culminating in the determination of an overall winner, whose name would be announced later by the Banquet following the Chidon.