Talmidim Hashluchim (Student Shluchim)
Talmidim Hashluchim are yeshiva students who, after completing their regular course of study, are sent as shluchim to yeshivas around the world, where their ikar inyan (main focus) is Torah study. After Reb Mendel Futerfas sent bochurim to "Kvutza", he saw that all the bochurim were flying and staying in 770, so he asked the Rebbe to send them back to Eretz Yisroel on his shlichus to bring the warmth from our holy courts to the yeshivas in the land.
Purpose of the Shlichus
The purpose of the shlichus is to invest in more corners throughout the world, and in more places, to dedicate their time to Torah study, beyond the regular amount. The learning is conducted in the same manner as in all other Tomchei Tmimim yeshivas worldwide, studying Shas and Poskim, nigleh d'Torah and pnimius haTorah.
In every free moment from the yeshiva schedule, they engage in hafatzas hamaayanos, activities of spreading Torah and Chassidus, thereby transforming each location into a center for Torah and mitzvos, and a lighthouse for Torah and mitzvos.
The Rebbe Rashab
The first initiative for a yeshiva in this format began with the Rebbe Rashab when in 1911 he sent a group of bochurim to establish Yeshivas Toras Emes in Chevron.
The Rebbe Rayatz
In 1946, the Rebbe Rayatz sent a group of talmidim to Chicago, with Rav Yosef Weinberg serving as mashpia, and Rav Avraham Mordechai Hershberg serving as Rosh Yeshiva, along with five other bochurim who joined as students, including Reb Yehuda Leib Groner.
Over the years, the Rebbe would send talmidim to various yeshivas to serve as shluchim in matters of Torah study and to increase the light of Torah. In 1956, following the tragic murder at the vocational school in Kfar Chabad, the Rebbe sent a group of about ten bochurim to strengthen the residents of Kfar Chabad and to speak to the hearts of Eretz Yisroel's residents about Torah and mitzvos.
[Continuing with each section chronologically...]
The Shlichus to Lod Yeshiva
In 1962, the Rebbe sent the first group whose main purpose was to study at the yeshiva in Lod.
The Shlichus to Brunoy
In Adar Rishon 1962, the Rebbe sent a group of six talmidim to Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in Brunoy, France, including Reb Shimon Lazaroff. The Rebbe came out to escort the group members when they left for the port, and sent a letter to the group members almost every month.
The purpose of the shlichus was to accompany students from Morocco and Tunisia who were sent to the yeshiva by the Rebbe's shluchim in their countries of origin, and to assist them in their first steps in yeshiva.
Additionally, the Rebbe instructed that every second Shabbos, 2 of the group members should travel to nearby towns to influence anash and local Jews, and requested consistent and detailed reports.
The Shlichus to Australia
With the establishment of the yeshiva in 1966, the Rebbe decided to send special shluchim in 1967, who would stay there for two consecutive years. The Rebbe addressed this shlichus in many sichos and places with extra seriousness and reverence.
In 2009, a book titled "V'Nichb'sha Ha'aretz" was published describing the chain of events until today.
The Shlichus to Miami
The expanded topic - Yeshiva Gedolah Miami In 1974, a group of bochurim were sent to establish the Yeshiva Gedolah in Miami. They formed the body of the yeshiva, and it was the first yeshiva established by the Rebbe.
The Shlichus to Kfar Chabad
In 1975, a group of bochurim were first sent to the yeshiva in Kfar Chabad.
The Shlichus to New Haven
They were sent to establish the yeshiva.
The Shlichus to Johannesburg
They were sent to establish the yeshiva.
The Shlichus to Seattle
Established in 1976 by Talmidim Hashluchim from Tomchei Tmimim yeshivas in Morristown and Ohel Torah who were chosen by the Rebbe. The expanded topic - Yeshiva Gedolah Seattle Washington
The Shlichus to Caracas
In 1977, a group of bochurim were sent to establish the yeshiva in Caracas, Venezuela. The expanded topic - Tomchei Tmimim Venezuela (Caracas)
The Shlichus to Kiryat Gat
In Nissan 1978, the yeshiva administration in Kiryat Gat approached the Kvutza students requesting them to come on shlichus to the yeshiva in Kiryat Gat, which was experiencing difficulties at the time. After deliberation, five tmimim decided to ask the Rebbe's opinion, and the response was: "To follow the advice of the Tomchei Tmimim administration in Eretz HaKodesh." The Tomchei Tmimim Kfar Chabad administration instructed them to go for a trial period until Tisha B'Av of that year. When Tisha B'Av arrived, the group members wanted to return to the yeshiva in Kfar Chabad, but in response to a routine report they wrote to the Rebbe, he answered: "To the students learning in Tomchei Tmimim in Kiryat Gat." This response removed all doubt and explained to them where their place was.
The Shlichus to Sydney
They were sent to establish the yeshiva.
The Shlichus to Casablanca
In Elul 1982, the Rebbe sent eight tmimim from Chabad Yeshiva Ohel Torah on shlichus to the Chabad yeshiva in Casablanca. The expanded topic - Tomchei Tmimim Casablanca
Yeshivas with Special Attention
Over the years, the Rebbe sent and encouraged shluchim who traveled to many other yeshivas, and they received special attention. The yeshiva in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Milan, Italy. London, England. And more.
Talmidim Hashluchim Today
Currently, the Central Yeshiva at 770, Morristown, and Ohel Torah send groups of bochurim each year to all yeshivas worldwide, and several yeshivas in Eretz Yisroel. These talmidim are carefully selected by the yeshiva administration and are sent to their place of shlichus for about a year, with some yeshivas having a two-year shlichus period.
Additionally, most yeshivas in Eretz HaKodesh independently arrange for Talmidim Hashluchim, primarily those who have completed their Kvutza year and are learning in 770.
Shluchim to Yeshivos Ketanos
In 2004, the yeshiva in Or Yehuda brought Talmidim Hashluchim to the yeshiva, thereby becoming the first yeshiva ketana in Eretz Yisroel to bring shluchim to a yeshiva ketana.
Over the years, other yeshivos ketanos in the land learned from their example.
For Further Reading
- "That There Should Be No Interruption, Chas V'Shalom, in Fulfilling the Kvutza's Shlichus", 'Chayei Rebbi' Kfar Chabad Weekly, Issue 1923