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Months of studying paid off this Sunday: Chidon finalists tested their skills at the grand Sefer Hamitzvos tournament in Crown Heights.

Over 1,400 people gathered today in the School of the Deaf Auditorium to watch contestants display the knowledge they have accumulated over months of intensive studying and test-taking. The stage was set with a huge 20-foot LED screen, colored lighting and surround sound, and a game show created especially for the Chidon event, making each contestant feel like a celebrity.

The program began with a video of the Rebbe elaborating on the importance of limud haRambam, and then progressed to the competition rounds. Divided into six teams named after volumes of Rambam, the boys used buzzers to answer a rapid-fire stream of questions from the master of ceremonies, Rabbi Yehoshua Lustig, principal of Oholei Torah. Their answers were judged by Rabbi Zalman Glick, Rabbi Sholom Laine, and Rabbi Ginsberg Editor-in-Chief and Senior Editor of the Yahadus Living Lessons Curriculum. As well as brothers Rabbis Levi and Yosef Zirkind who also took responsibility for the Chidon tests and final gameshow, creating questions and grading them. They are keeping the legacy of their beloved father Rabbi Yitzchok Zirkind a”h – a pioneer of the original Chidon Sefer Hamitzvos – alive. Sister Mushka Zirkind participated as well, writing a song about Hakhel that was performed by Eli Marcus with music by Chony Milecki and Special surprise guests Avi and Yehudah Piamenta.

“The energy in the room was electric,” says Rabbi Shimmy Weinbaum, executive director of Chayolei Tzivos Hashem.

Animated debates over the correct responses took place at each table on stage, while the judges carefully considered the answers. “How many mitzvos do we learn from Shema?” “For which mitzva is there no limit?” “What three mitzvos have to do with a Novi?” Each team presented their impressive knowledge with chayus; the final scores were close.

The medal ceremony wrapped up the exhilarating event. Individual winners of the bronze, silver, and gold medals in each grade were announced by Rabbi Yossi Rosenblum, Principal of Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh, and handed out by Rabbi Sholom Ber Buamgarten, Director of Tzivos Hashem international. The proud champions were rewarded with sets of Rambam, and of course the resounding applause and cheers of the audience.

“We could not be more proud of each and every finalist,” says Rabbi Yerachmiel Benjaminson, executive director of Tzivos Hashem. “We are sure the Rebbe received much nachas from this event.”

Winners:

BRONZE

4th Grade

Lubavitch Educational Center Florida – Shneur Zalman Steinberg

Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch Montreal – Menachem Mendel Plotkin

Cheder Lubavitch Morristown – Menachem Mendel Blesofsky

Cheder Chabad Toronto – Yisroel Plotkin

Lubavitch Boys School London – Shmuel Citron

5th Grade

Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburg – Avraham Dovid Rosenblum

Cheder Menachem LA – Mendel Fischer

Cheder Menachem Monsey – Eliyahu Teitelbaum

6th Grade

Cheder Chabad Toronto – Levi Kamman

Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch Montreal – Avrohom Menachem Nelken

7th Grade

Cheder Chabad Toronto – Mendel Kamman

8th Grade

Cheder Chabad Monsey – Menachem Mendel Teitelbaum

Cheder Lubavitch Chicago – Nochum Baron

SILVER

4th Grade

Cheder Chabad Toronto – Mendy Steiner

5th Grade

Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburg – Sholom Dovber Shur

6th Grade

MyShliach – Yosef Yitzchok Volfman

7th Grade

Cheder Menachem Wilkes-Barre – Tzvi Levitin

8th Grade

Cheder Chabad Toronto – Yehoshua Slavin

Lubavitch Educational Center Florida – Mendy Rubinstein
GOLD

4th Grade

Cheder Menachem L.A. – Yossie Heidingsfeld

5th Grade

Cheder Chabad Toronto – Mendel Slavin

6th Grade

Oholei Torah – Sholom Dovber Hendel

My Shliach – Chaim Yehuda Pewzner

7th Grade

MyShliach – Nochum Labkovsky

MyShliach – Yechiel Zirkind

8th Grade

Cheder Chabad L.A. – Zali Raichik

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