Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef Honors Talmud Students at Ceremony in Tiberias
A significant event took place on Sunday in Tiberias celebrating the dedication of Talmud Torah "Tiferet Tverya" students who participated in the summer program "Brina Yiktsoru." While their peers rested during the vacation, these students devoted themselves to intensive study of the Talmud from fourth to eighth grade, repeatedly reviewing tractates and being tested by experienced scholars across the city, who were impressed by their mastery.
The evening was hosted by Rabbi Yochai Dayan, deputy director of the Talmud Torah, who thanked CEO Rabbi Naftali Ben Harosh for his dedication. Speeches were delivered by Rabbi Binyamin Boimel, the Talmud Torah director, Rabbi Achikam Shevah, head of the "Or Elchanan" Yeshiva, and Rabbi Elkana Yona, spiritual director of the "Torat Meir" Yeshiva, all emphasizing the importance of Torah study from a young age. Rabbi Akiva Attia, representing the examiners, praised the students' impressive knowledge, while Rabbi Shimon Frizian, representing the parents, expressed gratitude to the educational staff.
The artistic segment featured the "Tiferet Tverya" children's choir performing "Vezacheni Ligdol" and a special thank-you song composed by Rabbi Daniel Albo for the occasion. The highlight was the arrival of the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, who came specifically to strengthen the students. The audience welcomed him with the song "Yamim Al Yemei Melech Tosif," and he was moved by the choir's rendition of the piyut "Sameach Bnei."
In his main address, Rabbi Yosef captivated the crowd with firsthand stories about his father, the late Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, and Rabbi Ben Zion Abba Shaul, highlighting their perseverance from youth. He praised the children and declared, "From here, from Tiberias, will emerge the great leaders of the next generation." Among the attendees were Deputy Chief Rabbi Yigal Mamliah, heads of kollels Rabbi Gabriel Dahan and Rabbi Erez Gol, Yeshiva Ma'ayaney HaTalmud head Rabbi Eitan Cohen, and Tiberias Mayor Yossi Nissan with his deputies. The evening concluded with outstanding students receiving certificates and prizes, personally signed by Rabbi Yosef, who acknowledged their accomplishment of studying over one hundred pages of Talmud.