A special program in preparation for the approaching Shavuot holiday took place at the Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson Yeshiva Ktana, the leading educational institution for boys of the Dnipro Jewish Community. The program was dedicated to understanding the significance of the Giving of the Torah and how this majestic event continues to influence the life of every Jew today.
At a large gathering in the assembly hall, the boys recited pesukim and watched a video address by the Leader of our generation, the Seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, to children. In the address, he calls on every child to come to the synagogue on the holiday of Shavuot and personally hear the Ten Commandments, accepting upon themselves this great Gift from the Almighty.
The core of the Shavuot preparation program was the study, in chavrusas (study pairs), of a sicha (discourse) of the Lubavitcher Rebbe dedicated to the significance and importance of the Giving of the Torah. The students worked in groups, discussed the meaning of this event, talked about what changed in the world after the Giving of the Torah, and why it is specifically through the fulfillment of mitzvos that a person reveals both their connection to the Almighty and the spiritual significance of the Torah in daily life.
Following this, an interactive game based on the material of the studied sicha took place, which allowed the children not only to test their knowledge but also made the learning process particularly engaging. For correct answers and active participation, the students received points, which were converted into play money for a “Torah-Cafe,” where the boys could exchange their achievements for various treats. This format made it possible to combine serious study of important topics with a joyful atmosphere of preparation for the holiday.
“Preparation for Shavuot is not only about acquiring knowledge but also an opportunity to help the children feel that the receiving of the Torah applies to each person personally,” said Rebbetzin Chana Segal, director of the Yeshiva Ktana. “It is very important that children not merely learn new ideas but also receive the Torah with joy and inner involvement. We are happy to create such an atmosphere thanks to the united and cohesive Dnipro Jewish Community under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.”
