Q. What is Mifal V'Dibarta Bam
A. Mifal V'Dibarta Bam is one of the largest Torah learning programs in the Eretz Yisrael yeshiva world. The program is conceived as a living memorial to the one and a half million children who perished in Churban Europe, through the study of Mishnayos by the young children of today. More than 10,000 children, in hundreds of yeshivos, are now participating in this program throughout Eretz Yisrael. Launched seven years ago by Harav Yitzchok Aron Shapira, Rosh Yeshiva of Mishkan Yaakov of Haifa, the V'Dibarta Bam program has completed five full cycles of learning six million mishnayos in memory of the innocent young victims of the Churban in Europe. The Gedolim, both in Eretz Yisrael and the United States, encourage all talmidim to participate.
Q. How does it work?
A. Each participant receives a membership card and the name of a specific child who perished in the churban in whose memory they are learning mishnayos. V'Dibarta Bam's main effort is directed to children who are willing to learn designated mesechtas of mishnayos. During the course of the year, these children are tested periodically, in writing, on the designated mesechtos. Every child who takes a test well receive a certificate and possibly other prizes. Those who achieve the highest marks on all of the test are invited to take a semi-final written test on the entire subject matter. Those who score highest are chosen to participate in the final round, held at a single nationwide public event, the Mivchan Pumbi. All participants in the Mivchan Pumbi, attended by thousands of the young participants and the Gedolim, receive an additional prize. The contest is divided into two levels by age group. The child who scores the highest in each age group is called Chasan Hamishnah, the two runner-ups are called Sgan Chasan Hamishnah, and each receives a special grand prize.
Children may also participate in V'Dibarta Bam by learning mesechtas of their own choosing, in consultation with their yeshiva. They, too, are tested. Finally, many yeshivos in Eretz Yisrael include monthly tests on mishnayos as part of their regular curriculum. V'Dibarta Bam provides prizes for the three highest-scoring children in each class.
Q. What is the nature of the program in the United States?
A. The Gedolim have urged Harav Shapira to make it possible for the children of America to participate in this program. Initially, V'Dibarta Bam in the United States will be limited to a pilot program based on the Chadarim of Lakewood, and other leading American Torah institutions. It is sponsored in memory of Reb Pinchos Atlas, by his esteemed family in Lakewood. The American program is starting immediately, headed by Harav Yosef Spira, Mashgiach of the Mesivta of Lakewood.
The American program will follow the same system used in Eretz Yisrael. It will also feature a Mivchan Pumbi, a public gathering of the young participants and the finalists for the selection of the three winners, in the presence of the Gedolim. Following the Yomim Noraim, the program will, B'ezras Hashem, be opened to all yeshivos that wish to participate. we thank you for allowing your child to participate in this effort to strengthen and unite klal Yisrael through the study of Torah.