5 years ago

Diverse Group Receives Smicha

The streets of Crown Heights were full this past Sunday. Wherever one looked, there were elementary and high school students, some carrying balloons, others walking with parents, all heading to their graduations in their respective schools • Full Story, Photos

Written by Motti Wilhelm

A few blocks away a very different type of graduation was taking place. A lawyer from Boston, a neurosurgeon from Florida, a Shliach from Texas, and a professor of poetry from Cincinnati were only some of the unique group gathered together to celebrate.

These men had all finished their official education years beforehand, some in yeshiva, some in college, and others in prestigious medical and law schools. Although they were each accomplished in their fields, they felt that they still wanted to grow in the field of Torah study.

The diversity of the group was blatant. A young yeshiva student who completed Smicha together with his uncle. A father utilized his time to work towards his Smicha, and encouraged his son and son-in-law to join him, culminating in a tripled celebration. Men of different ages, different backgrounds, and from different locations gathered together for a singular purpose, honoring the Torah and those who study it.

The new Rabbis are: Aaron Calvo – Brooklyn, NY, David Caplan – Cincinnati, OH, Raffy Filler – Montreal, Canada, Shmuel Helisnky – Boston, MA, Dovid Lipszyc – Brooklyn, NY, Nechemia Miller – Brooklyn, NY, Leible Morrison – Troy, NY, Simcha Morrison – Troy, NY, Zvi Nachman – Woodmere, NY, Raphy Sasseini – Flushing, NY, Tal Shaul – S. Antonio, TX, Pesach Walter – Boston, MA, Steven (Shaya) Weinshel – Bradenton, FL, Leon Weissberg – Cooper City, FL, Yehuda Yaron – Los Angeles, CA.

Online Smicha is a rigorous learning program headed by Rabbi Nachman Wilhelm. Partnering with the Shluchim Office, and the Shluchim Online School, Online Smicha utilizes the wonders of technology while still maintaining yeshiva style in depth learning, allowing men from any corner of the globe to join a virtual yeshiva. The program is unparalleled in allowing one to feel as if he is sitting in a classroom with Rabbi Wilhelm, who makes the holy words of the Shulchan Aruch and its’ commentaries come alive as only he can, with his clear explanations, charts and visual aids.

At Online Smicha, getting a diploma is not the end goal. It is the Torah learning that is the ultimate accomplishment. With that in mind, Online Smicha offers other learning programs geared for many different levels. Foremost among them is the KitzurLive program, offering twice-weekly classes in Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, giving all the opportunity to learn the Halachos contained within, vital knowledge for anyone wishing to live a Torah life. Another popular option among the students is to continue their learning after Smicha with the OLS Choshen Mishpat track, studying the complex halachos of Jewish courts.

In addition, in response to growing demand, no less than three new initiatives were announced by Sunday’s celebration. Firstly, a monthly shiur open to the public, given by guest lecturers, experts in their various fields in Halacha. Second, KitzurLive is launching a new cycle, starting Kitzur Shulchan Aruch from the beginning. The third and most momentous is the launch of Yeshiva Live.

Shiurim in Mishna, Gemara, Chassidus, Halacha and Parsha are only part of the program being launched in the very near future, bringing Torah learning into your very home or office, transforming them into the yeshiva you wished you had attended, or miss so sorely.

For more information about any of these programs or to stay updated with upcoming shiurim and news from Online Smicha, contact[email protected] or visit OnlineSmicha.com.