Students of Moscow’s Yeshiva set out for a three-day journey to strengthen the Jewish communities across Russia. Their polite and well-mannered behavior was greatly appreciated by the hundreds they encountered and influenced to draw closer to their Jewish roots.
“It is known that the previous Lubabitcher Rebbe told the emissaries to the yeshivot that their task is to reap – to collect – physicality, and to sow spirituality, and as is explained in the holy Zohar, the task must be done with great joy and gladness, which brings down abundant success and blessings from above as joy breaks all boundaries!”
This was but a fragment from what the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Berel Lazar, told the students of Moscow’s Yeshiva two days before they all boarded their trains and planes to various cities throughout Russia. In preparation for this unique trip, the students had a special gathering with the Chief Rabbi, as well as the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Moshe Lerman, the Mashpia, Rabbi Chonon Teichtel, and the rest of the yeshiva’s educational staff.
This unique journey, with the goal of bringing light to thousands of Jews all over the vast country, was sponsored by the Chassidic philanthropist, Reb Yehuda Davidov, head of the 770 Fund. Set up to assist Russia’s Jews, the foundation decided to fund this important project in which about one hundred Yeshiva students were sent out to different cities throughout Russia, including remote and faraway cities in Siberia, to strengthen and awaken the local Jews.
Indeed, after intense preparation, both physically and spiritually, the boys set out on flights and trains, with suitcases full of Judaica items, Jewish books in Russian, and kosher food products. In conjunction with the Jewish community that hosted them, they visited many homes, putting up mezuzot, helping people put on tefillin, bearing Jewish books, and much more.
The highlight of the journey was on Shabbat day, when the local synagogues saw many new faces, as curious Jews came to see this unusual sight of such young rabbis who express their Yiddishkeit proudly, standing and speaking in front of the crowds, encouraging the singing, and even teaching Torah classes. It is no surprise that these boys are such experienced pros, as this is the upbringing they received in their homes as the sons of Russia’s dedicated rabbis.
The uplifting Shabbat made great waves and caused an awakening in the local Jews to send their children to Jewish schools and yeshivas. Seeing these young teens, who, having studied only Jewish subjects all their lives, are so wise and knowledgeable, polite and well-mannered. In light of this great success, other yeshivas in Moscow are considering sending groups of their students as well to bring light to Russia’s many Jews.
