Talmidim of Shiur Gimmel at Russia’s central Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva Ketana gathered with their parents and members of the hanhala for an uplifting ceremony marking the completion of the 5786 academic year and their upcoming move to Yeshiva Gedolah.

Held at the yeshiva’s campus in Istra, outside Moscow, the event celebrated the talmidim’s years of devoted learning while emphasizing that every milestone in Torah must lead to continued growth.

The ceremony opened with a video of the Rebbe explaining that Torah learning never truly reaches an end, and that one must always continue adding in learning with renewed strength.

Yeshiva mashpia Rabbi Chanan Teichtel, who emceed the event, welcomed the parents who had traveled from near and far and spoke about the significance of the occasion.

Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Moshe Lerman delivered the central address, describing the great nachas of seeing how the talmidim had advanced in Torah and Chassidus since first entering the yeshiva. The talmidim and parents also heard words of inspiration from the mashpia of the graduating class.

A highlight of the ceremony was a special recorded address from the yeshiva’s founder and Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar.

Rabbi Lazar explained that the completion of one stage is itself the beginning of a higher one, comparing it to Simchas Torah, when the Torah is completed and immediately begun again from Bereishis.

“Every conclusion carries with it great joy,” Rabbi Lazar said. “But immediately afterward, we begin again with renewed strength, entering a new period and a higher level of learning.”

He encouraged the Temimim to continue learning with diligence, true joy and sweetness in Torah, noting that Torah should be experienced as something genuinely new each day.

“Every time we open a Gemara, a maamar, a sefer of halacha or any other area of Torah, it should be with the feeling of a new discovery, together with all the chayus and enthusiasm that accompany a new beginning,” he said.

Recalling his own years in yeshiva, Rabbi Lazar said that the beginning of a new zman brings unusual energy and enthusiasm, and expressed the hope that the talmidim would experience that sense of renewal every day.

He also urged them to use the summer months for an increase in Torah learning and to continue constantly in the spirit of maalin bakodesh.

Rabbi Lazar concluded by thanking the Rosh Yeshiva, ramim, mashpi’im, mashgichim and student Shluchim for the tremendous effort they invested in the talmidim.

“The greatest reward you can give them is for them to see you continue to succeed greatly in Torah learning, with joy and a glad heart,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the parents, Rabbi Chaim Shaul Brook, director of Chabad institutions in Petersburg, expressed the families’ deep gratitude for the staff’s constant investment in every talmid. He presented a gift to each member of the educational staff on behalf of the parents.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, certificates were presented to all the talmidim of Shiur Gimmel, along with finely bound Chitas sets personalized with each talmid’s name.

The student Shluchim, who devoted themselves throughout the year to assisting and inspiring their fellow talmidim, were also recognized with seforim and certificates of appreciation.

The event was organized by campus director Rabbi Yosef Moshe Weisberg and yeshiva director Rabbi Chaim Moshe Weber.

Photos: Levi Nazarov