Bochurim Complete Kesubos

This past Motzaei Shabbos, Anash and Bochurim of the Melbourne Jewish Community gathered for a Melave Malka at the Rabbinical College of Australia and New Zealand (Yeshivah Gedolah), to celebrate the completion of Maseches Kesubos.

The event was arranged in honor of Avrohom Kaminetsky and Shimon Szmerling, who had recited the Shakle V’taria of the entire Masechta Ba’al Peh (as opposed to being spot-checked), in increments of approximately five Blatt.

In opening the proceedings, Rabbi Shmuel Lesches (Maggid Shiur – Yeshivah Gedolah) made note of the special pleasure that the Rebbe derived from Bochurim who had learned hundreds of Blatt of Gemoro Ba’al Peh (Sichas Chukas-Balak 5729), and also of the importance of celebrating such accomplishments publicly (Sichas Purim 5723). Rabbi Lesches also mentioned that this particular Siyum was very much in line with the Rebbe’s goal for the Yeshivah Gedolah of Melbourne – “to conquer Australia through the learning of Torah”.

Rabbi Zvi H. Telsner (Rov – Yeshivah Centre), then addressed the audience, in which he praised the Bochurim for their achievement, and for inspiring others to learn with added strength and vigor.

The guest speaker, Rabbi Yaakov Barber (Rov – South Caulfield Hebrew Congregation), utilized the opportunity to emphasize the high caliber of the local Bochurim, and their testament to the vitality of the Moisdois Chinuch Chabad in Melbourne. In passing, Rabbi Barber made mention of Shmaya Shusterman, a Talmid in Mesivta, who completed the entire 53 Chapters of Tanya Baal Peh, word for word.

Shimon Szmerling and Avrohom Kaminetzky then presented their respective Hadranim, and completed the Masechta, whereupon the audience broke out into a lively Niggun.

In his remarks to the audience, Rabbi Binyomin Cohen (Rosh Yeshivah – Yeshivah Gedolah) pointed out that the achievement of these two Bochurim was all the more remarkable, in that it was not at the expense of their adherence to Shmiras Hasdorim or their otherwise exemplary performance in all aspects of the standard Yeshivah curriculum.

Mr. Henry Herzog (Trustee – Yeshivah Gedolah) then presented each of the two Bochurim with a voucher to the value of $1500, which they elected to use for the purchase of Seforim. Rabbi Lesches thereupon concluded the event by thanking all of the donors who generously contributed towards the award.