Testimonials and Endorsements for Chaburos

The Choshen Mishpat Chabura is not an option. Its a necesity for any frum lawyer and Baal Habeis. I use it in everyday life and I find that people0I do business with feel good about me.

In the year since the Passaic/Clifton Choshen Misphat Chaburah started, we have covered a wide range of pertinent topics. While each week's material is quite halacha l'maaseh, it is approached with a hand-picked set of sources, that allow the Chaburah to understand the concepts and issues that lead up to the final halacha. This approach offers these advantages:

1) By understanding the underlying principles, we know enough to realize when there is a shaila to ask

2) We make a kinyan on the material as we have to work through it as we would any sugya in the Bais Medrash.

The last year's Sunday mornings have clearly been the most productive I've had since I left Yeshiva.

I am very grateful to the Machon and all the Askanim behind it for providing us this tremendous resource.

The topics and discussion are fascinating.

This is pertinent everyday halacha that we should be knowledgable in, but unfortunately, we are not. Yasher koach on bringing Choshen Mishpat into our lives.

The Sunday morning Five Towns chabura is one of my personal highlights of the week, and I look forward to attending it, notwithstanding that I have to travel some distance to the chabura site. The reasons I find the chabura so satisfying:

1) Practical Significance - The topics selected by the Machon are not esoteric ones that do not arise too often in real life. As long as you or your family members engage in business transactions in any market in any capacity at some point in the week, there is almost no way that you will not encounter something that has been designated for study.

2) Intellectual Challenge for All Levels - The chabura offers two unique options for the study of what are often complicated halachot: a) self-study of the marei mekomot; or b) a one-hour theory/ preparatory shiur, led by an outstanding talmid chacham, Rabbi Ari Bergman, or other skilled Five Towns lamdanim, that not only deals with the text of the marei mekomot but also features discussion of legal principles and theories derived from their study. There are not many chaburot that offer this "dual track" option that caters both to those who learn actively and those who prefer a more passive, lecture-based approach, but no matter which type of student you are, the "dual track" option ensures that you will have an enjoyable intellectual experience.

3) Excellent Maggidei Shiur - In addition to the extremely erudite Rabbi Bergman, Rabbi Moshe Kaufman rounds out the chabura's 90-minute clock with a concise yet comprehensive 30-minute practical halacha shiur that reviews and applies the principles derived from the marei mekomot to real life. Amazingly, notwithstanding that he has only approximately 1800 seconds available, Rav Kaufman is also able to entertain questions and work them directly into his talking points. Thus, for all the lawyers out there who want to learn and/or review appellate advocacy skills, this part of the chabura is definitely for you. And with respect to everyone, while Rav Kaufman's shiur will not automatically transform you into a dayan, it will give you enough practical knowledge to be able to make quick decisions for you and your family regarding simple matters. (For more complicated matters, the Machon has a newly-instituted 24/6 hotline).

4) Technological Sophistication - Inevitably, there are some Sundays on which I simply cannot make the chabura. However, because both the marei mekomot and shiurim are available via the Web, I can catch up easily whenever I want during the week.

In summary, in my opinion, the Sunday morning Five Towns chabura offers everything that a modern Jew could hope to gain from a learning experience and more. May Hashem be m'chazeik all who attend and contribute towards its continued operation.

All the best

The Chaburah is very well organized - from the layout of the Marah Mekomos to the sensitivity of the clock. It truly brings Choshen Mishpat to life.

 

While I can't say I will remember all the halachos in detail - the realization that so much of everyday life can involve a Choshen Mishpat shaila has made the Chabura invaluable.

I must add, that the Rosh Chaburah has made all the difference. He is excellent! Fortuante is the Kehila that IYH evetually gets him as their Rov.

The Machon L'Choshen Mishpat has transformed my Sunday mornings. There is something very special about participating with other like-minded b'nei Torah for a couple of hours each week as we collectively engage in understanding halachah - a pursuit of the truth - and what it requires of us in terms of everyday business-related interactions. The very atmosphere of the beis medrash becomes electrified with the intense discussions of the b'nei chabura.

In addition, learning halachos of Choshen Mishpat has given me a new appreciation and sensitivity for common, everyday transactions. For example, I no longer view the simple act of hiring and paying a baby-sitter as a mundane act, but rather one that has to be considered in light of hilchos s'chiras po'alim. My obligations to my teenage baby-sitter are no different than any other worker whom I hire. And the consequences are also no less serious. Indeed, I have come to realize that it is impossible to properly discharge one's obligations bein adam lachaveiro without an in-depth knowledge of Shulchan Aruch-Choshen Mishpat.

In short, learning in the Choshen Mishpat chabura has energized and raised my level of learning, as well as opened my eyes to the importance of Choshen Mishpat issues.

DEAR MACHON

During the past year of limud' I've found myself more alert to possible shailos. I've noticed that there is a lot more to things than what meets the eye. I have to say its the highlight of my week.

THANK YOU MACHON

I enjoy the Chabura greatly. Learning not only about what is problematic but also what IS acceptable, is providing me with a fantastic education on business best-practices. We should get credits toward an MBA!

I highly recommend the activities of the Machon L’Choshen Mishpat under the leadership of Rav Chaim Kohn Shlita. Our Passaic chabura every Sunday morning over the past year is truly a kiddush shem shamayim. The Rosh Chabura Rav Mendy Weinberger prepares excellent marei mekomos for us. His shiurim are excellent very well-prepared and thought-promoting. Many of the issues we have learned are relevant in everyday life (especially in the business world). I truly look forward to the weekly seder and shiur, and I highly recommend the chabura to everyone. It's truly great!