World Siyum Hashas at Yad Eliyahu headed by Gedolei Yisroel
A once in seven years event. More than ten thousand participants in the world event of Siyum Hashas, in the learning framework of Daf Hayomi organized by Dirshu, filled the Yad Eliyahu stadium to capacity. Thousands gathered in the centers for live broadcast from the event. Hagry"l Shteinman: "One's purpose of life has to be keeping the Mitzvos". The Belzer Rebbe: "It is a great and sublime day". Watch: Wide review and galleries
- Photographs: Yisrael Bardugo
- י"ד אב התשע"ב
The great day for thousands of Bnei Torah, avreichim and Bnei Yeshivos who participate in the Dirshu programs, arrived last night. One next to the other, they gathered with a heart beaming with excitement at the Yad Eliyahu stadium in Tel Aviv. All those who toiled in Torah over the last few years, in the framework of all the Dirshu programs – Kinyan Hashas, Kinyan Torah, Kinyan Halocha, Dirshu Bnei Hayeshivos and more – arrived at the event.
The thousands flocked to the doors, both those who were tested and those who learned, as well as those who wanted to be with them on their great day and take part in their great joy. With the opening of the doors, the thousands filled the seats awaiting the start of the colossal event in the honor of Torah.
At the head of the celebrations of Simchas Hatorah, stood the Chossons of Kinyan Hashas, great Talmidei Chachomim who learned the entire Shas in Iyun over the last 7 years, and were tested on all of it. More than ten thousand learners of Dirshu from Israel and abroad, joined together for the gathering of the Torah world – the Siyumim of Dirshu. The stadium, which is not used to such scenes, was filled with joyous Bnei Torah towards the uplifting event.
The event, which started with Mincha, was opened by the master of ceremonies, a member of the Dirshu executive board, Harav Shlomo Rosenstein, who spoke at length and excitedly about the Ma'ala which the learners of Dirshu have, and the great joy with the completion of the different programs. "Is there a greater joy than this? Is there a greater Chizuk than this? This is such a great Limud Zchus on Klal Yisroel".
Immediately after him spoke Harav Yosef Yekusiel Efrati, who was very close to Harav Eliashiv ztk"l, who spoke with great excitement and said: "What would have Maran Harav Eliashiv have said at this holy event? He would certainly have started with joy, here they have finished one maseches and another Shas. My brothers and friends – the entire Shas Bavli is now in the hall. What a Simcha of Torah!"
Thereafter, Rosh Yeshivas Chevron, R' Dovid Cohen, spoke and said excitedly: "The Gemora says about one who completes the Shas – "Avida Yoma Tuva Lerabonan", and here hundreds and thousands completed the Shas, and one can say "Avida Yoma Tuva Lerabonan" for Klal Yisroel. B"H we have the merit with the Dirshu programs, who, while consulting Gedolei Yisroel, have paved in a way which is suitable for every one who learns to complete the masechtos, to give the avreichim higher concepts of Bekius in all parts of the Torah".
Afterwards, the time came for the special songs which were composed by R' Chaim Banett, his son Reuven and R' Moshe Laufer in the honor of those who are completing the Shas and other learning programs of Dirshu, with the entire audience joining in, and a great singing engulfing the stadium.
At this stage, Hagaon R' Moshe Mordechai Chodosh, Rosh Yeshivas Ohr Elchonon, spoke, who said: "We are now standing in an event of Kovod Hatorah. And generally, all the years Dirshu have been taking care of Kovod Hatorah in such an impressive way".
Hagrm"m Chodosh invited the Dirshu chairman R' Dovid Hopshtater, who spoke special diveri Torah in honor of the Siyum and pointed out the special siata dishmaya which Dirshu merits throughout the years, in all the different Dirshu programs.
Another chapter of singing by Yirmia Deman and Yaakov Deskel and the child – Efraim Menat, started the next part of the event. The players started with special pieces and new songs which were especially composed for this evening, and were even handed out in a special disc which was joined to all the bags placed on the seats in the stadium. Among others, a few new songs were composed to the words "Dirshu Hashem Ve'uzo, Bakshu Panav Tamid" On the magnificent stage, stood 30 music players in an unprecedented show, which was combined with the large children's choir, which had prepared the pieces written for this evening, for months. The audience joined the joyous singing throughout the evening.
Later on, rare pieces were screened from the words of Hagry"s Eliashiv, Hagrm"y Lefkowitz and Hagrc"p Sheinberg to the heads of Dirshu, to the side of yibadel le chaim tovim, Hagry"l Shteinman, Hagr"s Wazner and others, and in addition Hag"r Aharon Feldman, Rosh Yeshivas Ner Yisroel in Baltimore, was one of the speakers.
Towards 7:30 pm, the evening reached its peak, with the exciting entrance of Gedolei Yisroel, to the singing of the audience, who came to honor the learners and heads of Dirshu on their great day. The great audience welcomed Gedolei Yisroel with great singing, Gedolei Yisroel sat on the magnificent stage which was prepared for them. One next to the other, all of Gedolei Yisroel sat, "Ke'ish echad belev echad" with great joy apparent in their expression, Simchas Hatorah.
Hagaon R' Moshe Shaul Klein, who directs the program of Kinyan Halocha, Rav of the Ohr Hachaim suburb in Bnei Brak and Dayan in the Beis Din of Hagr"s Wazner, spoke in their presence.
Hagry"l Shteinman was honored with Siyum Hashas, and said the special version which is said in making a Siyum, with the entire audience bursting out in great singing in the honor of Torah. Afterwards, Hagr"c Kanievsky said the special Kadish of the Siyum, with great excitement. Later on, Hagr"s Wazner spoke at length with divrei Torah regarding the ma'ala of a Siyum and especially Siyum Hashas, and other siyumim of the Dirshu participants. Afterwards, the Seret-Vizhnitz Rebbe spoke in Yiddish, and described the ma'ala of the Dirshu organization and all its activities.
Thereafter, the Mashgiach of Orchos Torah Yeshiva, R' Chizkiyahu Mishkovsky spoke and said excitedly that "the sweetest word that one can say is "Hadran Alach" on the entire Shas" and mentioned the second and special project of R' Dovid Hopstater, the Acheinu organization which works among youth for Kiruv purposes, and the uniqueness of the organization.
Hagr"c Mishkovsky excitedly invited Hagry"l Shteinman to say some words. Hagry"l went up to the speaker's stage, to the singing of the audience "Od yenuvun beseiva deshenim ve'raananim yihiyu".
Among other thing, Hagry"l said in his warm words: "We must reach such a madreiga not only to live and keep Mitzvos, but that this will be the goal of life, life in order to keep Mitzvos. Hakodosh Baruch Hu should help that we will all merit reaching a madreiga that the purpose of our lives will be to keep Mitzvos and learn Torah".
At the end of his words, the audience burst out spontaneously in singing in the honor of Torah and Gedolei Yisroel.
Afterwards, the Belzer Rebbe spoke at length in praise of those who learn: "This day is great and sublime for us, to the Jews of Eretz Yisroel and overseas, Ashkenazim, Sephardim, Chassidim and Prushim, big and small, old with youth, Ba'alei Batim and Bnei Yeshiva who learn and finish the entire Shas. This day is one of the better and greater days for Am Yisroel. I have come here to take part and be a mouth unto thousands of Jews to thank Hashem Yisboroch that He gave the wisdom, understanding and knowledge and siata dishmaya, and the possibility to R' Dovid Hopstater shlita, to do and be the patron of this holy project of Dirshu. The Gemora in Bovo Metzia says: "whoever teaches his friend's son Torah, will merit sitting in the Yeshiva shel Mala", even more so one who in his merit and through his workings, hundreds and thousands of Bnei Yisroel are learning".
After his moving words, there was a special musical piece, with the Ba'al Menagen Yirmiya Deman and his son Moshe Deman, who came on show together for the first time, performed the piece of Av Harachamim.
The musical part of the event was signed with the song "Asok Batorah… Dirshu Hashem Veuzo", with the entire audience standing up and excitedly singing the special words.
The overflowing and uplifting evening was completed with Ma'ariv, with the learners, the examinees, and the members of the Dirshu system dispersing in remarkable order to their homes, with special feelings of uplifting.
The thousands flocked to the doors, both those who were tested and those who learned, as well as those who wanted to be with them on their great day and take part in their great joy. With the opening of the doors, the thousands filled the seats awaiting the start of the colossal event in the honor of Torah.
At the head of the celebrations of Simchas Hatorah, stood the Chossons of Kinyan Hashas, great Talmidei Chachomim who learned the entire Shas in Iyun over the last 7 years, and were tested on all of it. More than ten thousand learners of Dirshu from Israel and abroad, joined together for the gathering of the Torah world – the Siyumim of Dirshu. The stadium, which is not used to such scenes, was filled with joyous Bnei Torah towards the uplifting event.
The event, which started with Mincha, was opened by the master of ceremonies, a member of the Dirshu executive board, Harav Shlomo Rosenstein, who spoke at length and excitedly about the Ma'ala which the learners of Dirshu have, and the great joy with the completion of the different programs. "Is there a greater joy than this? Is there a greater Chizuk than this? This is such a great Limud Zchus on Klal Yisroel".
Immediately after him spoke Harav Yosef Yekusiel Efrati, who was very close to Harav Eliashiv ztk"l, who spoke with great excitement and said: "What would have Maran Harav Eliashiv have said at this holy event? He would certainly have started with joy, here they have finished one maseches and another Shas. My brothers and friends – the entire Shas Bavli is now in the hall. What a Simcha of Torah!"
Thereafter, Rosh Yeshivas Chevron, R' Dovid Cohen, spoke and said excitedly: "The Gemora says about one who completes the Shas – "Avida Yoma Tuva Lerabonan", and here hundreds and thousands completed the Shas, and one can say "Avida Yoma Tuva Lerabonan" for Klal Yisroel. B"H we have the merit with the Dirshu programs, who, while consulting Gedolei Yisroel, have paved in a way which is suitable for every one who learns to complete the masechtos, to give the avreichim higher concepts of Bekius in all parts of the Torah".
Afterwards, the time came for the special songs which were composed by R' Chaim Banett, his son Reuven and R' Moshe Laufer in the honor of those who are completing the Shas and other learning programs of Dirshu, with the entire audience joining in, and a great singing engulfing the stadium.
At this stage, Hagaon R' Moshe Mordechai Chodosh, Rosh Yeshivas Ohr Elchonon, spoke, who said: "We are now standing in an event of Kovod Hatorah. And generally, all the years Dirshu have been taking care of Kovod Hatorah in such an impressive way".
Hagrm"m Chodosh invited the Dirshu chairman R' Dovid Hopshtater, who spoke special diveri Torah in honor of the Siyum and pointed out the special siata dishmaya which Dirshu merits throughout the years, in all the different Dirshu programs.
Another chapter of singing by Yirmia Deman and Yaakov Deskel and the child – Efraim Menat, started the next part of the event. The players started with special pieces and new songs which were especially composed for this evening, and were even handed out in a special disc which was joined to all the bags placed on the seats in the stadium. Among others, a few new songs were composed to the words "Dirshu Hashem Ve'uzo, Bakshu Panav Tamid" On the magnificent stage, stood 30 music players in an unprecedented show, which was combined with the large children's choir, which had prepared the pieces written for this evening, for months. The audience joined the joyous singing throughout the evening.
Later on, rare pieces were screened from the words of Hagry"s Eliashiv, Hagrm"y Lefkowitz and Hagrc"p Sheinberg to the heads of Dirshu, to the side of yibadel le chaim tovim, Hagry"l Shteinman, Hagr"s Wazner and others, and in addition Hag"r Aharon Feldman, Rosh Yeshivas Ner Yisroel in Baltimore, was one of the speakers.
Towards 7:30 pm, the evening reached its peak, with the exciting entrance of Gedolei Yisroel, to the singing of the audience, who came to honor the learners and heads of Dirshu on their great day. The great audience welcomed Gedolei Yisroel with great singing, Gedolei Yisroel sat on the magnificent stage which was prepared for them. One next to the other, all of Gedolei Yisroel sat, "Ke'ish echad belev echad" with great joy apparent in their expression, Simchas Hatorah.
Hagaon R' Moshe Shaul Klein, who directs the program of Kinyan Halocha, Rav of the Ohr Hachaim suburb in Bnei Brak and Dayan in the Beis Din of Hagr"s Wazner, spoke in their presence.
Hagry"l Shteinman was honored with Siyum Hashas, and said the special version which is said in making a Siyum, with the entire audience bursting out in great singing in the honor of Torah. Afterwards, Hagr"c Kanievsky said the special Kadish of the Siyum, with great excitement. Later on, Hagr"s Wazner spoke at length with divrei Torah regarding the ma'ala of a Siyum and especially Siyum Hashas, and other siyumim of the Dirshu participants. Afterwards, the Seret-Vizhnitz Rebbe spoke in Yiddish, and described the ma'ala of the Dirshu organization and all its activities.
Thereafter, the Mashgiach of Orchos Torah Yeshiva, R' Chizkiyahu Mishkovsky spoke and said excitedly that "the sweetest word that one can say is "Hadran Alach" on the entire Shas" and mentioned the second and special project of R' Dovid Hopstater, the Acheinu organization which works among youth for Kiruv purposes, and the uniqueness of the organization.
Hagr"c Mishkovsky excitedly invited Hagry"l Shteinman to say some words. Hagry"l went up to the speaker's stage, to the singing of the audience "Od yenuvun beseiva deshenim ve'raananim yihiyu".
Among other thing, Hagry"l said in his warm words: "We must reach such a madreiga not only to live and keep Mitzvos, but that this will be the goal of life, life in order to keep Mitzvos. Hakodosh Baruch Hu should help that we will all merit reaching a madreiga that the purpose of our lives will be to keep Mitzvos and learn Torah".
At the end of his words, the audience burst out spontaneously in singing in the honor of Torah and Gedolei Yisroel.
Afterwards, the Belzer Rebbe spoke at length in praise of those who learn: "This day is great and sublime for us, to the Jews of Eretz Yisroel and overseas, Ashkenazim, Sephardim, Chassidim and Prushim, big and small, old with youth, Ba'alei Batim and Bnei Yeshiva who learn and finish the entire Shas. This day is one of the better and greater days for Am Yisroel. I have come here to take part and be a mouth unto thousands of Jews to thank Hashem Yisboroch that He gave the wisdom, understanding and knowledge and siata dishmaya, and the possibility to R' Dovid Hopstater shlita, to do and be the patron of this holy project of Dirshu. The Gemora in Bovo Metzia says: "whoever teaches his friend's son Torah, will merit sitting in the Yeshiva shel Mala", even more so one who in his merit and through his workings, hundreds and thousands of Bnei Yisroel are learning".
After his moving words, there was a special musical piece, with the Ba'al Menagen Yirmiya Deman and his son Moshe Deman, who came on show together for the first time, performed the piece of Av Harachamim.
The musical part of the event was signed with the song "Asok Batorah… Dirshu Hashem Veuzo", with the entire audience standing up and excitedly singing the special words.
The overflowing and uplifting evening was completed with Ma'ariv, with the learners, the examinees, and the members of the Dirshu system dispersing in remarkable order to their homes, with special feelings of uplifting.