A powerful and inspiring national halachah quiz focusing on the laws of Chanukah was held this week for thousands of students from the Shuvu educational network, culminating in an impressive final event attended by leading rabbinic figures.
After several intensive weeks of studying the halachos of Chanukah in Shuvu schools across the country, approximately 800 students gathered at the Ramat Elchanan Auditorium in Bnei Brak for the final round of the nationwide competition. The event featured remarkable displays of Torah knowledge and was widely described as a sanctification of Hashem’s Name.
Each Shuvu school had previously conducted its own internal quiz to select outstanding representatives. Those students advanced to the national finals, where they competed against one another. The morning session was dedicated to students in grades 4–6, followed later in the day by the competition for grades 7–12.
The audience itself also demonstrated exceptional mastery of the material. In order to actively involve all students while their peers competed on stage, halachic questions were projected on large screens, and students responded using electronic clickers. Valuable prizes were awarded to participants who answered correctly.
Shuvu CEO Rabbi Chaim Michael Gutterman described his deep emotion at witnessing the uplifting scenes and expressed gratitude to all those who made the event possible. He singled out Deputy CEO Rabbi David Ivgi, who initiated and conceptualized the quiz; network supervisor Rabbi Aharon Elmaliach, who directed the competition; Deputy CEO for Development Rabbi Motti Buterman, who served as master of ceremonies; and Rabbi Chaim Bruner, coordinator of Shuvu’s Batei Midrash project in partnership with Knesses Yisrael. After speaking about the miracles of Chanukah, Rabbi Gutterman concluded by declaring, “Shuvu itself is a miracle.”
The Shuvu network was honored to host the renowned posek, Rav Amram Fried, along with the Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Aharon, Rav Shmuel Dovid Walkin, a member of Shuvu’s leadership. The rabbinic guests posed questions to the students, expressed profound admiration for their extraordinary knowledge, and blessed them to continue growing in yiras Shamayim, Torah, and mitzvos.
In the elementary school division, the title of Chassan HaHalachah was awarded to student Lavi Toviana of Shuvu Be’er Sheva. In the high school division, two students earned the distinction: Amir Cohen Neizov of Shuvu Rishon LeZion and Alon Yadgarov of Shuvu Petach Tikvah. The honorees received their certificates from Harav Amram Fried, Harav Shmuel Dovid Walkin, and CEO Rabbi Gutterman.
A particularly moving moment took place at the conclusion of the event, when Rav Amram Fried turned to Rabbi Gutterman and asked to receive his brocha. “You are bringing forth what is precious from what is overlooked,” the posek said emotionally. “About you it can truly be said: ‘You shall be as My mouth.’”
As one Shuvu educator summarized the spirit of the day: “It doesn’t truly matter who received the title. Every student in the Shuvu network is a winner—because all of them invested effort and learned the halachos thoroughly.”
{Matzav.com}
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