1,000 rabbis gathered in Yerushalayim for a day of fascinating and relevant lectures on the most up-to-date topics in halacha, at a beautiful convention with inspiring music, beautiful meals, and educational panels.
Photo: Mendy Kurant
1,000 rabbis and rabbinical students from all backgrounds and communities gathered at the annual “Yoma L’Rabbanan” rabbinical seminar hosted by the Lema’an Yilmedu Institute. The event took place in grand style in the magnificent auditorium of Heichal Shlomo in Yerushalayim.
Throughout the day, the rabbis participated in exciting panels with city rabbis and global experts on practical halachic issues, alongside engaging multimedia presentations, a lavish buffet, musical interludes, and chazzanus performances, with leading rabbis, officials, and public figures in attendance.
The day began with the Chuppah and Kiddushin Rabbinical Conference, accompanied by refreshing coffee and pastries in the grand lobby, including guidance on marriage officiation featuring video presentations from Rabbi Eliyahu Yochanan Gurary, Rabbi of Cholon.
Many rabbis delivered speeches during the conference, covering topics such as practical training in writing kesubos according to various traditions, delivered by Rabbi Shmaya Hecht. Rabbi Chizkiyahu Samin, head of the Department of Marriage, Kashrut, and Rabbis at the Ministry of Religious Services, spoke on practical guidance for officiating rabbis, while Rabbi Yitzchak Levy, Rabbi of Nesher and member of the Chief Rabbinate Council, discussed disqualified witnesses for kesubos and kiddushin.
Later on, there was a series of fascinating lectures on key topics: opening a file at the rabbinate, common questions during the chuppah, Jewish status clarification, and more, delivered by Rabbi Pinchas Althois, head of the Marriage Department in Holon and acting Rabbi of Rishon LeZion. Rabbi Netanel Ben Maas, a well-known and sought-after wedding officiant, spoke about how performing a chuppah can be a “business card” for future ceremonies.
Following that, Minister of Heritage Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu took the stage, addressing the idea that the more wedding officiants there are, the more Jews will marry according to halacha. He explained how some Jews who might not initially want a religious wedding could be convinced if they know the officiant personally, sharing stories he’s heard from older graduates of Lema’an Yilmedu who are now officiating at weddings.
The main session in the auditorium opened under the title “Yoma L’Rabbanan – The Annual Convention and Rabbinic Seminar.” Rabbi Ratzon Arusi, Rabbi of Kiryat Ono and member of the Chief Rabbinate Council, was invited to give words of blessing and honor.
Right after that, the first session, titled “Live Podcast” on innovations and updates in kashrut, was held, hosted by Rabbi Shlomo Weinfield, one of the leaders of the OK Kashrut Committee, with guests including Rabbi Shimon Meir Biton, Rabbi of Lod, Rabbi Yosef Karasik, Rabbi of the Emek Chefer Regional Council, and Rabbi Binyamin Neufeld, a world-renowned expert on kosher raw materials.
The second session began with a keynote speech by former Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi David Lau, under the title “Torah Leadership in Today’s World.” Afterward, Rabbi David Yosef, head of Kollel Yechave Daat, addressed the audience.
Next, Knesset Member Simcha Rothman took the stage, captivating the rabbis and crowd with a discussion on monetary laws according to Jewish law.
Then, highly respected rabbis including Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Rabbi of Tzfas and member of the Chief Rabbinate Council, Rabbi Kalman Meir Bar, Rabbi of Netanya, and Rabbi Chaim Shlomo Diskin, Rabbi of Kiryat Ata, participated in a live podcast titled “The Community Rabbi as Advisor and Guide.” The discussion, moderated by media personality Aryeh Erlich, covered a range of issues facing community rabbis today, with a focus on maintaining purity within the community and adhering to the “fifth part” of the Shulchan Aruch. The participating rabbis are renowned for their impactful work within their communities, and their insights provided valuable guidance to the younger rabbis in attendance.
Rabbi Kalman Bar opened the panel with a teaching from the Gemara, discussing the famous dispute between Rabban Gamliel and Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah, and with his characteristic passion and charisma, explained how Rabbi Elazar’s approach is the motto of Lema’an Yilmedu, as they fill the seats of the beit midrash.
To give words of respect and blessing, Rabbi Yosef Avraham Pizem, Rabbi of the community and Rosh Yeshiva of Kiryat Shmuel, was invited to the stage. He hosts an active and well-attended branch of Lema’an Yilmedu in his community.
Later, Rabbi Meir Kahane, head of the Beit Din of Ashkelon and candidate of the Religious Zionism party for the Chief Rabbinate, and Rabbi Micha Halevi, Rabbi of Petach Tikva and candidate for Chief Rabbi of Israel, addressed the audience.
Throughout the event, the crowd enjoyed deep Chabad niggunim and uplifting songs of joy performed by the heartfelt singer Yisrael Nachman, popular singer Mendy Gerufi, and the talented Chassidic musician Yosef Yitzchak Zoldan, who together moved the crowd during the spiritual and emotional moments.
After the certificate distribution, Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, delivered the closing speech, encouraging the participants to focus on deep study with all the commentaries, as Lema’an Yilmedu ensures in their programs.
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