Rabbi Schochet’s Impassioned Call

By COLlive reporter
Photos by Levik Hertzel

Rabbi Ezra Schochet, Rosh Yeshiva of Ohr Elchonon Chabad in Los Angeles and widely regarded as one of the greatest Torah scholars of our generation, got up on the podium at the annual Melave Malka of the Yarchei Kallah summit and decided to spare no words.

He began with an apology to his fellow respected colleagues – rabbonim, roshei yeshiva and mashpiim – that he wouldn’t be speaking in Yiddish. Instead, his remarks in English would be addressed to the bochurim present.

“You have to let yourself get involved; not cut yourself off,” he implored, saying that learning Torah provides a connection, “so I have some kind of feeling of who I am, and what I am. I start feeling who I really am.”

The beloved teacher simply known as “The Rosh,” went on to say, “when one gets involved in learning, and tries to start listening to understand the shiurim, you will not only have the feeling of sanctification, but even more, It will transform you to finally start being what you first intended to be,” he said.

“You will get out of all your problems; all your schizophrenia, you will be able to finally be what Hashem wanted you to be.”

His speech that ended with a round of applause, has brought the 4-day Torah gathering held in Camp Gan Israel in Parksville, NY, to its end.

From late Wednesday to early Sunday, some 40 rabbis have filled their time with learning and some discussion over the state of Chabad Yeshivos and communities.

The Global Yarchei Kallah was established in 5734 to honor the yartzeit of the Rebbe’s father Reb Levi Yitzchok Schneerson OBM and is hosted by Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, head of the camp and Chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad International.

During his speech at the Melave Malka -which many look forward to, coming from the surrounding bungalow colonies in the Catskills- Rabbi Shemtov addressed pressing matters of how the frum world should face the challenge of secular influences and the Internet.

(The full speech will be posted on COLlive.com later this week)

Emcee of the evening was Rabbi Zalman Wilschansky, Rosh Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim in Morristown, NJ. Delivering the opening Dvar Malchus was Rabbi Yoel Kahan, the Rebbe’s choizer.

Blessings were offered by Kfar Chabad Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Ashkenazi speaking on behalf of Beis Din Chabad in Israel. Rabbi Schochet represented Vaad Rabbonei Lubavitch at the evening.

It came after a truly inspirational Shabbos for the rabbonim and the campers and staff alike. On Friday night and Shabbos morning, the talmidei chachomim davened together with the children, both demonstrating to each other how to daven with zest and fervor.

The many Farbrengens over Shabbos had staff members and visiting bochurim gathered around to get a glimpse and hear a unique story or a lesson that would put them back into the setting of the Yeshiva as the summer ends.

Additional speakers at the Melave Malka, which attracted participants from other groups such as Skver and Bobuv, were Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Segal, Rosh Kollel Tzemach Tzedek in Yerushalayim and Rabbi Mordechai Avtzon, the Hong Kong-based Head Shliach to Asia who shed light on Shlichus life in the Far East.

Special thanks was given to camp director Rabbi Yossi Futerfas and his brother Rabbi Shloimy Futerfas and the dedicated staff of the camp for their hospitality.

A thank you also went to the Yarchei Kallah coordinator Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin, a Shliach in Tucson, AZ, and those who assisted – Boruch Ceitlin, Shmulik Goodman, Shmulik Kuperman, Mendy Bloy and Menachem Elgarten.

As fitting a Motzoei Shabbos setting, world renowned chazzan Yaakov Lemmer, accompanied by Benshimon, sang some Chabad niggunim and Yiddish classics which had many mesmerized by his powerful, yet sweet voice, sending off the crowd into a new week and the rabbonim back to their yeshivos and communities preparing for the new year.

VIDEO: Rabbi Schochet’s full speech

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