Some 1,000 new participants registered within a three-day
period for the Daf Yomi testing program sponsored by Dirshu,
a Toronto-based international foundation to promote Torah
study.
When the Daf Yomi program reached maseches Pesochim,
the Dirshu administration gave notice that an additional
1,000 spots were available for avreichim and baalei
batim interested in joining. Hundreds of applications
were sent in right away.
Many rabbonim and maggidei shiurim around the country
are encouraging Daf Yomi participants to join the testing
program, which was started in consultation with gedolei
Yisroel, shlita. They say that in addition to the
stipends provided, the program offers great benefit since the
tests reflect the acquisition of gemora knowledge
through focused learning and regular review of the
material.
New participants will not receive a full stipend, but will be
eligible for a lottery drawing for ten stipends of $100 each
and another ten stipends of $50 each. Later they will be able
to receive full stipends, with priority given to higher
scores, until all of the participants enter the full stipend
track. In recent months some 1,000 participants went from the
lottery stipend track to the full stipend track.
New participants can also take part in the 120-daf
exams held every four months, making them eligible for a
drawing for a stipend of $5,000, five stipends of $1,000 and
10 stipends of $500.
The regular exams, held one Friday per month at 31 locations
around the country, cover either gemora with Rashi or
gemora with Rashi and Tosafos. Exams are also held at
selected locations in the US, England, Belgium, Argentina and
other countries.
