Tomim

The Tomimim, In the center appear the founder of Tomchei Tmimim, the Rebbe Rashab, and the director, the Rebbe Rayatz.

A Tomim is a title given to a bochur (young man) who studies in Tomchei Tmimim Yeshivos. The title comes from the name of the yeshiva "Tomchei Tmimim," and reflects their complete and wholesome nature due to their study of both Nigleh (revealed Torah) and Chassidus.

Origin of the Name

During Hakafos on Simchas Torah 5659, the founder of the yeshiva, the Rebbe Rashab, announced that the yeshiva he had established two years prior would be called Tomchei Tmimim, and that "the students who learn there and conduct themselves in its spirit would be called Tmimim," inspired by the verse "Tomchei Tmimim Hoshia Na" which is recited during Hakafos.

The name "Tomim" and "Tomchei Tmimim" expresses the innovative nature of the yeshiva and its students, in that they study both Nigleh and the hidden aspects of Torah through Chassidus.

Their Essence

Our Rebbeim drew the Tmimim close, and frequently addressed their special role and merit in studying at the yeshiva through sichos, letters, and yechidus.

The Rebbe Rashab further stated, "The Tmimim's role is to be candles that illuminate" - to light up their surroundings with the light of Torah and mitzvos.

On the first Erev Yom Kippur after accepting the nesius, the Rebbe called a group of yeshiva students at 770, and when they entered his room, he covered himself with his tallis and said in a voice choked with tears: "Since you learn in the Rebbe's yeshiva, you are the Rebbe's children ('zeit ir dem Rebben's kinder')... therefore I must bless you on Erev Yom Kippur with 'Birkas Habonim,'" and blessed them with Birkas Kohanim and a blessing for a successful year in everything.

Since then, every year bochurim would gather on Erev Yom Kippur to receive the Rebbe's blessing as 'his children,' an event known as "Birkas Habonim."

The Rebbe once said at a farbrengen: "Geshtekt a fus in Tomchei Tmimim iz a Tomim far eibik!" [One who sets foot in Tomchei Tmimim is a Tomim forever!]. Sometimes when people passed by during "dollars" and mentioned they were 'once' students of Tomchei Tmimim, the Rebbe would point out that they are still students of the yeshiva!

On another occasion, the Rebbe expressed that even someone who did not merit to learn in Tomchei Tmimim themselves but only learned from the teachings of our Rebbeim or even just entered the yeshiva once - they too are considered among the Tmimim students and should strive to conduct themselves accordingly.

Sefer HaTmimim

Based on the Rebbe's initiative (which he presented to the Frierdiker Rebbe, who had requested to prepare a list of Tmimim students throughout the generations before his histalkus), a book was compiled containing a list of all Tmimim who studied in the yeshiva from its founding until the time of the book's printing.

See also

• Chayalei Beis Dovid (Soldiers of the House of David)
• Lubavitch V'Chayaleha (Lubavitch and its Soldiers)
• Tzadik Yashar (Tamim) Chossid (An upright righteous (wholesome) Chassid)

Further Reading

• Tomchei Temimim - Sichos, letters, and yechidus'n regarding the virtue of Talmidei HaTemimim and their special role
• Dem Rebben's Kinder - A compilation of guidance and instructions from the Rebbe regarding the conduct expected from Talmidei HaTemimim and what is required of them