Tmimim of Bnei Brak Get Ready for Rosh Hashanah

After much effort and learning during Elul, the students of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim – Beis Menachem in Bnei Brak were woken very early in the morning one day last week. After reciting Selichos, they set out on a surprise tour of the kivrei tzaddikim in the Galilee.

Accompanied by the yeshiva’s staff and under the guidance of Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Mordechai Goldschmidt, an expert on the holy sites, the Tmimim heard the story of each site. After immersing in the Ari’s mikveh, they recited Tehillim at the tomb of the Ari, the kever of Rabbi Leib Baal Hayissurim (a disciple of the Alter Rebbe), the gravesite of the Rebbe’s brother Rabbi Yisrael Aryeh Leib, and the gravesite of the Rebbe Rashab’s brother, Rabbi Menachem Mendel, who passed away in France and was secretly transferred to Tzefat 15 years ago at the request of the Rebbe.

After that, the Tmimim enjoyed a farbrengen with Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Chitrik, one of the Rebbe’s shluchim in Tzefat, who spoke about what Rosh Hashanah means for the Tmimim. He told many personal stories and sang niggunim with Rabbi Goldschmidt that he had learned from the latter’s father, Rabbi Nochum Goldschmidt, when he had visited their sukkah during Tishrei 5732.

After davening Shacharis, the Tmimim went onto the cave of Abbaye and Rava, the tomb of Rabbi Yonasan ben Uziel in Amuka, and the cave of Choni Hamaagal in Chatzor. The trip was definitely a wonderful preparation for the New Year, which should be a year of Chassidus and learning.
(SOURCE & PHOTOS: COL.ORG.IL)