Editing Tomchei Tmimim Los Angeles

Yeshivas '''Ohr Elchonon Chabad''' is a Lubavitcher mosad located in Los Angeles, California, under the nesius of the Rebbe and led by the Rosh Yeshiva, HaGaon HaRav Ezra Binyomin Schochet shlita.

The history of this holy mosad begins with a letter from the Frierdiker Rebbe in 5704, when he wrote to Reb Moshe Schwab about his deep desire to establish a Chabad yeshiva in Los Angeles:

"B"H, Yud Zayin Adar 5704 Brooklyn My dear friend, HaRav HaGaon V'Chossid Ish Yerei Elokim, Moreinu HaRav Moshe Schwab Sheyichye...

...regarding what you wrote about awaiting the day when b'ezras Hashem a Chabad yeshiva will open in Los Angeles, I too await with great anticipation those bright days when b'ezras Hashem my shlichus to this medinah, for the purpose of harbotzas Torah b'yiras shomayim, will succeed and branches of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch will spread throughout this medinah and neighboring medinos..."

The yeshiva was initially founded as a Litvishe mosad under the name 'Ohr Elchonon' by HaRav Elazar Simcha Wasserman, ben HaKodosh Reb Elchonon Bunim Wasserman HY"D. In 5738, Rav Wasserman was mezakeh to transfer the yeshiva to Lubavitch, at which point it became known as "Ohr Elchonon - Chabad."

Regarding this historic transition, the Rebbe sent a special michtav on Gimmel Teves 5738 to Rav Wasserman and his Rebbetzin, expressing hope that they would continue their utmost hishtadlus in strengthening the yeshiva, particularly in the realm of chinuch al taharas hakodesh, which is vital in our times everywhere, and especially in their city where the Yiddishe population is growing.

To establish the Chabad yeshiva on a strong foundation, the Rebbe appointed HaGaon HaRav Ezra Binyomin Schochet as Rosh Yeshiva and the renowned chossid Reb Shmuel Dovid Raichik as Mashpia. The Rebbe also sent a special kvutzah of talmidim-shluchim to learn with the bochurim and serve as a living dugma chaya. This continued through the early years until 5743.

The first kvutzah merited a special zechus - to enter yechidus where the Rebbe instructed them about the yeshiva's purpose. On Tu"B Teves 5738, in Gan Eden HaTachton, the talmidim hashluchim who were traveling to learn in Los Angeles stood with the Rosh Yeshiva. The Rebbe entered with his siddur and emerged with Kuntresei Ahavas Yisroel, Kuntres Michtavei Brocha, and dollars. Each of the tmimim received a Kuntres Ahavas Yisroel and two dollars. The Rosh Yeshiva also received Kuntres Michtavei Brocha, with the Rebbe explaining this was a hosafa since he was the "omed al gabeihem."

Today, the hanhalas hayeshiva includes distinguished mechanchim and mashpi'im:

* HaRav Benzion Chaim Oster, Rosh Mesivta
* HaRav Avrohom Shmuel Schochet, Rosh Mesivta
* HaRav Menachem Mendel Cohen, Mashpia
* HaRav Menachem Mendel Shapiro, Mashpia
* HaRav Amram Farkash, Menahel
* HaRav M.M. Spaltter, Menahel Gashmi
* HaRav Chaim Zev Citron, Rosh Mesivta
* HaRav Yosef Abtzun, Rosh Mesivta

The yeshiva publishes a kovetz of he'oros hatmimim v'anash titled "Migdal Ohr." In honor of the yeshiva's fortieth year in 5778, a special expanded kovetz "Migdal Ohr 9" was published containing all the brachos and michtovim to the yeshiva and talmidim.