Fourteen students graduated from Moscow’s Rabbinical Ordination program and will now be joining over one hundred of Moscow Yeshiva’s alumnae who serve as Rabbis, Kashrut supervisors, teachers, and spiritual activists, assisting Jews throughout Russia and the FSU in varied Jewish matters.

Photos: Levi Nazarov

The good news was received with great joy by the Jewish communities throughout Russia and the FSU -Another group of leading students successfully passed their Rabbinical exams in Jewish Law, and will now be joining over one hundred of Moscow Yeshiva’s alumnae who serve as Rabbis, Kashrut supervisors, teachers, and spiritual activists, assisting Jews throughout Russia in all Jewish matters.

Fourteen students of Moscow’s Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim, which is located in the suburbs near Sofrino, spent many hours diligently completing the ‘Semicha’ program in addition to the regular curriculum.

Under the dedicated guidance of the ‘Rosh Yeshiva’ Rabbi Menachem Mendel Goldberg, and Director of Semicha Studies Rabbi David Rozentzweig, these year’s rabbis reached new heights in the study of Torah, Halacha, and Chassidic philosophy.

After a series of both oral and written exams, they reached the final stage: an hours-long examination by the Yeshiva’s founder, Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar, who couldn’t hide his great satisfaction from the student’s excellent knowledge of the material.

Upon completion of the exams, the excited students received their diplomas, and then immediately returned to study in the Yeshiva compound, which is outside of the city, far from the hustle and distractions, where they can apply themselves seriously to learning in peace and quiet. On Fridays and during holidays, the Yeshiva students travel to nearby cities and towns which do not yet have a Rabbi, and help the local Jews to observe Jewish tradition.