Unusual reception at Home of Sar Hatorah, shlit”a

Tens of thousands often gather at the small house in Rashbam Street, Bnei-Brak. These include hundreds of Rabbis and leaders of the Jewish people, day after day.   Therefore, it was most surprising when Maran, Sar Hatorah, despite being many years his senior, rose from his seat to honor one of these visitors, and accompanied his actions with the recitation of the verse: “Mipnei seiva tokum – Before the elderly one should rise!”

The visitor was Hagaon Harav Avrohom Eisen, shlit”a, the Pozna Rov, and founder of the Shas Yiden Network of Kollelim, was taken by Rav Chaim’s action and words. Rav Eisen had come to Rav Chaim to formally invite him to the 10^th Anniversary celebration of the founding of Shas Yiden, of which Maran Sar Hatorah is the Nasi. The celebration which took place a week later at an impressive gathering presided over by Rav Chaim and attended by the gedolei Torahof Eretz Yisroel at the Keter Rimon Hall,is the subject of a separate article.

In response to the expression of amazement by Rav Avrohom about the rising of Rav Chaim before him, Maran Sar Hatorah explained: “In light of his great efforts to increase Torah in the Jewish people and to groom many tens of avreichim to know the entire Shas – Gemora, Rashi and Tosfos, one should rise before the Pozna Rov!”

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In honor of the Shas Yiden10^th Anniversary, Rav Kanievsky gave Rav Eisen the following letter:

Bs”d Cheshvan 5780

Come and acknowledge our colleague the Pozna Rov, Hagaon Rav Avrohom Halevi Eisen, shlit”a, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the founding of the Shas Yiden kollelim. A few years ago, he responded to my request and established other kollelim where tens of avreichim, great talmidei chachomim who are indeed like they are called that they know Shas Bavli fully. I have examined them on a number of occasions, and they answered my questions immediately on the spot.

In addition, my son, Reb Shaul, shlit”a, examined them for a full hour, ranging across the entire Shas. He was amazed at their all-encompassing knowledge and referred to them as described in the Talmud (Kiddushin 30a) “If a person asks you a matter, don’t fumble and then reply; rather reply immediately etc.”

Thus, it is a very great zchus to strengthen and support great talmidei chachomim like them with an open hand. All those who do support them should be blessed with all the brochos that are said about those who support Torah — Chaim Kanievsky

And R’ Chaim’s Brocho comes true again

813,300 Blatt ahead for the Shas Yiden Avreichim

Just 4 years ago, the Nasi of Shas Yiden, Sar Hatorah Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a, gave a brocho that Shas Yiden should increase by another 10 kollelim with avreichim geonim! So, in addition to the first kollel in Beit Shemesh (which has 21 avreichim geonim), another kollel was opened in Bnei Brak (with 16), followed by Yerushalayim (with 12), and now, on Tuesday – Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, in the young Torah city of Beitar (with 11). 

Yes, sixty metzuyonim – using the unique Shas Yiden system of learning and chazorah – master the entire Shas b’al peh, including every Rashi and Tosfos! Each avreich completes 8-blatt-a-day PLUS 4 chazoras, and sits for a bechina and farher on 225 blatt each month and a siyum hashas every year in Cheshvan.

Maranan, Gedolei Hatorah and Roshei Yeshiva across Eretz Yisroel, all acclaim the great feat of Shas Yiden over this last decade. Public farhers by leading talmidei chachomim on the entire Shas have captured the imagination of lomdei hatorah across the entire Jewish world. These live farhers can be viewed at www.shasyiden.com. Please click on the link to view them or to donate and support this incredible Torah endeavor – “the first of its kind in Jewish history”, declared both the Sanzer Rebbe, shlit”a, and Reb Meilech Biderman, shlit”a. 

On November 19, in celebration of 10 years of Shas Yiden and a year in which a minimum of 813,300 blatt will be completed by the 60 avreichim geonim, a gala farher and dinner, to be graced by Sar Hatorah and the gedolim of Eretz Hakadosh, will be held in Bnei Brak. אשרי העם שככה לו!

Facing one of the most searching farhers to date, the Shas Yiden geonim avreichim once again astounded the examiner. Those present, travelling from New York, found the scholarship nothing short of amazing! With comments like: “They own Shas!” “Their accomplishment is just ‘beyond’…” “I thought the claim that they all complete Shas five times a year was hallucinatory talk, but with my own eyes I saw them in action – just something else!”

Giving the farher on this occasion was Harav Hagaon Itamar Garbuz, shlit”a,  Rosh Yeshiva of Orchos Torah (appointed by Maran Hagaon Aharon Leib Steiman, zt”l) and Rosh of the 15 kollelim of Taharos (appointed by Maran Hagaon Mechel Yehuda Lefkowitz, zt”l).

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For a full hour, Rav Garbuz conducted a non-stop, penetrating, all-encompassing examination. It is not possible to fully describe all the fascinating and deep responses, the heated dynamic of Torah, and the power and the personal spiritual gifts which this entire experience involved and demonstrated. The Rosh Yeshiva expressed his amazement at the knowledge of these geonim avreichim. He said, “These are not just ‘regular’ Shas Yiden who show a broad knowledge of the text of Shas. Behold, here we have seen and heard knowledge of the Shas in depth, with Rishonim and they have the needed scholarship.” Simply, it is also not possible not to emphasize their pansophic knowledge which is extraordinary.

In his conclusion, Rav Garbuz blessed the founder of Shas Yiden, Hagaon Harav Avrohom Eisen, shlit”a, the Pozna Rov, together with the supporters who travelled from overseas to be present at the farher and to meet with the Nasi of Shas Yiden, Maran Hagaon, Sar Hatorah, Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shilt”a, and other gedolei Torah who are avid supporters of Shas Yiden. Rav Garbuz again expressed his excitement at the Shas Yiden phenomenon. He then added that he was jealous of their zechus in supporting this incredible endeavor and the development of these geonim avreichim who are unique in our generation.

Some of the wide-ranging questions:

• We all know the statement “One can rely on Rabbi Shimon in the case of an emergency“. What is considered the emergency for which we are relying on Rabbi Shimon? How many times do we find this in Chazal? Their immediate responses: Shabbos 45a – muktzeh; Brochos 9a – recitation of the Shma; Gittin 19a – shtar mukdam. Then they added Rabbi Elazar in Niddah 6b; Eiruvin 46a in the sugya of in ‘m’eis l’eis’.
• Is an egg is considered food or a liquid and explain? Three immediate responses: Beitza 2a; Yoma 80a; Sanhedrin 5b.
• In Shabbos, how many disputes are there between Rabbi Shimon and Rabbi Yehuda? Immediately they listed them all and their page numbers. All present could not believe their eyes and ears.
• Which Amora concluded Shas at a young age? Rav Cahanah at 18 – Shabbos 63a; Rav Chaga at 18 – Moed Katan 25a. Who concluded a maseches at a younger age? ‘Hahu yanuka’ concluded Avoda Zara at age 6 – Avoda Zara 56b.   
• How many mishnayos in Shas have no gemara on them? Bechoros 13a, Rosh Hashanna 22b, Nedarim 63b.
• Which daf in Shas contains the expressions of Rava only? Bechoros 59. 

22 Tammuz 5779

I hereby express my praise of the incredible Rabbonim Geonim who study the Torah of Hashem by day and by night, with extreme diligence and clear understanding, with in-depth and all-encompassing knowledge of the entireShas, year after year. They are also outstanding in their middos tovos.

These are the scholars of the Shas Yiden Kolel Network under the leadership of my dear and esteemed friend, who raises the standard of Torah in our generation, the Gaon Harav Avrohom Halevi Eisen, shlit”a, the Pozna Rov.

What amazed me was to behold the power of the Torah of these Rabbonim Geonim. With my own eyes, I saw how they were quizzed ‘by heart’ in all the sections of Shas, and were able to answer each and every question on each topic in a manner that was both amazing and intimidating, together with referencing the exact page in Shas. Had I not witnessed such competence with my own eyes, I would not have believed it possible.

There is certainly an incredible zchus to be a supporter of these Shas Yiden Kolelim, the likes of which we have never ever heard before.

Praised is the person who is zoche to have a cheilek in their Torah, as there is no doubt that this tzedaka is both exceedingly great and important. Especially to those who are zoche to be faithful partners with them in a “Yissachar-Zevulun” pact — one cannot adequately describe or even estimate how great is their goodness and cheilek, both in this world in the World-to-Come.

I hereby give my brocha to all those who participate and have a cheilek in maintaining this Torah study, that they should be zoche to have goodparnossa, good children, good shidduchim, refuos and yeshuos in whatever they need. They should be zoche to all the brochos that are written and stated in the Torah — Amen and may it be His will.

Written and signed for the honor of the Torah and it scholars

Avrohom Elimelech Biderman

Click on the video below:

Recently, the Torah world was electrified by the news and video of the Shas Yiden public farher on the entire shas by Harav Nissan Kaplan and Harav Rephael Shmuelewitz at Yeshivas Daas Aharon. Maran Harav David Cohen, Rosh Yeshivas Chevron, suggested that yeshivos should invite the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim so that yeshiva bochrim could see true Shas Yiden and be inspired.

Let the Geonim Test Them!

However, Hagaon Harav Yehoshua Menachem Weiss, menahel haruchani of the Erlau Yeshiva Ketana in Bnei Brak, decided to go a step further. “The second shiur of the yeshiva had been spending many hours mastering the 120 daf of Bava Kamma. 20 of the bachurim knew the masechta both by heart and in depth. What better challenge could there be than for them to be tested by the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim? They are acknowledged masters of Shas about whom so much has been written, and who are praised by the Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Chaim Kanievsky, the nasi of Shas Yiden.”

Hagaon Harav Moshe Isaac Samet, Rosh Hakollelim of Shas Yiden, consulted with the avreichim geonim at Shas Yiden Yerushalayim. They agreed to make time in their heavy learning schedules for such bochurim. For weeks, the Erlau Yeshiva was buzzing with excitement. They could not believe this unique opportunity.

No Seforim on the Tables!

The 15-year-old bochurim arrived at Shas Yiden Yerushalayim and were divided into pairs, each with an avreich. Moreover, there were no seforim on any of the desks! There was no need. All the testers and the bochurim knew the gemora texts in detail and by heart. If there was any question, the volume could be found on the shelf. For an intense hour, the bochurim were quizzed over the entire Bava Kamma – length and breadth, forwards and backwards, and in depth – and they could answer all questions!

 

After this initial question period, the bochurim were gathered together and, collectively, had a general farher. The faces of all were shining with glow and sparks of Torah.

 

Gedolim of the Future

The avreichim were overjoyed to see the prowess of each of the bochurim. The general sense was these young and budding talmidei chachomim are proof how in-depth and all-encompassing knowledge of Shas can begin at a young age. Harav Yosef Danziger, masgiach ruchani from Erlau, who arranged the occasion, reported that the bochurim returned to the yeshiva on a ‘major high’, inspired and eager to tackle the next masechta with the hope to become true Shas Yiden.

“It is a Mitzvah to Bring Shas Yiden Avreichim to Every Yeshiva so that every bochur can see that he can become a Shas Yid”

– Chevron Rosh Yeshiva

Recently, there was an amazing sight at Yeshiva Daas Aharon in Har Nof, Yerushalayim. 42 avreichin geonim of Shas Yiden, surrounded on three sides by all the talmidim of the yeshiva. They sat facing the two Roshei Yeshiva – Maranan Hagaonim shlit”a, Harav Nissan Kaplan and Harav Rephael Shmulewitz – who conducted a detailed farher with questions from all over the entire Shas! The talmidim sat spellbound, witnessing an incredible back and forth from the avreichim who know every line and discussion of the Talmud.

Reaction of the Gedolim

Maran Hagaon Harav Gershon Edelstein, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva, Ponevez, was effusive in his praise: “Ashrei ayin roassoh zos – Joyous are the eyes that witness such a phenomenon as Shas Yiden.” And the reaction of Maran Hagaon Harav David Cohen, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva, Chevron, declared: “It’s a mitzvah for every yeshiva to bring a group of the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim that every bochur can see first-hand that he can become a Shas Yid.”

Each avreich is a “Living Shas”!

The Roshei Yeshiva felt that this would be a unique opportunity for such scholars to inspire their talmidim to see just what can be achieved in Torah learning. “Our bochrim had a chance to see 42 ‘Living Shasim’ in action,” said Rav Kaplan after the farher. “Heim sholtim b’Shas!” (They have mastered Shas.) During the course of a year, each avreich gaon completes a minimum of 13,555 blatt of Talmud with all the Rashi and Tosfos, and also knows Shas by heart. This was their 7th public Shas-wide farher in 10 years, aside from written tests and the annual farher by Sar Hatorah and Nasi of Shas Yiden, Maran Hagaon, Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a.  

Seeing is Believing – Torah Sparks Flying

“Our talmidim know just how hard they have to work to master Gemara page by page, to review and to remember and this was their inspiration,” said Rav Kaplan. The air was electric and the enthusiastic shining faces seemed to be lit up by sparks of Torah. The constant questions, both in-depth and covering many tractates, with virtually instant responses from across the group was so intense that most dispensed with the few microphones present, jumped out of their seats and called out the answers.

To watch the live farher, please click on: https://shasyiden.com/farher/ and then on the latest farher.

On Monday evening, the avreichim geonim of Shas Yiden, leading supporters from the United States and England and other guests gathered at the Lederman shul in Bnei Brak.  A controlled excitement permeated the small hall as all waited to welcome the Nasi of Shas Yiden, Maran Sar Hatorah   ורשכבה”ג Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a, for the annual Siyum Hashas by each of the 42 avreichim. Each had completed a minimum of 13,555 blatt!

When Rav Chaim entered, the music and the singing reached a crescendo and the simchas Torah began with abandon. Aside from Rav Chaim, Rav Eliyahu Mann, the Rav’s chavrusa, addressed the gathering on behalf of Rav Chaim. “We are celebrating a siyum of 569,310 blatt!… The Sar Hatorah said that the supporters of Shas Yiden will have ehrliche children who will be yir’ei  shomayin; their sons talmidei chachomim and their daughters, tznuos. Hagaon Harav Shimon Galai gave divrei brocho and spoke of the greatness of the avreichim and the mutual greatness of those who support  Shas Yiden. The hadran was made by the Rosh Reshet Hakollelim, Hagaon Harav Moshe Isaac Samet, shlit”a, and the kaddish was recited by Reb Yossi Hirsch from New York.

Just before Rav Chaim left the gathering, he read and signed a letter of brocho – 28 Cheshvan 5779

“I have seen tests on Talmud; I have seen knowledgeable scholars. However, such a gathering as this, I have never seen in my life!”

These were the emotional words of Maran Hagaon Harav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi, shlit”a, at the gathering to affix mezuzahs on the latest kollel in Yerushalayim of the Shas Yiden Network. He just concluded the farher of the avreichim. The occasion also served to welcome the philanthropist, Mr. Chuny Herzka from Lakewood New Jersey, one of the patrons of kollel Shas Yiden.

“I wish to tell you that, never in my life, have I seen such a phenomenon. I have seen tests on Talmud; and I have seen knowledgeable scholars. However, such a sight, to see so many outstanding  avreichim, being tested orally by a Gaon posing such questions, and the avreichim bursting out with the answers before he even finished posing the questions on the entire Talmud… I feel compelled to declare that I have never witnessed such a phenomenon.” This expressed the amazement an emotion of the Gaon Harav Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi, Rosh Yeshiva of Ateres Yisroel, and a member of the Moetzes Gedole iHatorah (Council of Torah Sages).

Also present was the Gaon Hagadol Harav Dovid Cohen, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Chevron, also a member of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah (Council of Torah Sages). He addressed the gathering and expressed his amazement at how the Shas Yiden Network of Kollelim plays a significant role in restoring the glory of the Torah to its rightful place, and to produce Shas Yiden scholars as had been in days gone by. He offered his blessings to the founder of Shas Yiden, the Pozna Rov Hagaon Harav Eisen, shlit”a, and also extended blessings to Mr. Herzka.

At the gathering, the very impressive Shas farher was conducted by Hagaon Harav Naftoli Kopshitz, shlit”a, Rav of Chanichei Hayeshivos in Romema. His probing questions covered the entire Talmud.

At the conclusion of the farher, Harav Ezrachi added some questions of his own. That was when he expressed his amazement at their remarkable prowess, and followed that with words of admiration for the founder of Shas Yiden, Harav Eisen. “It is an amazing wonder, from where you had such divine inspiration to come up with this idea? And especially that I understand this is not your only kollel.” Turning to the gathering he said, “Do you realize how much spreading of the Torah is to be found here? Have we any idea how many people study Torah because of you? Do we have any idea of how much honor of Heaven emanates from these kollelim? I am filled with happiness that I have witnessed such a phenomenon.”

He then continued: “I have to express my wishes of continued strength to Harav Eisen for giving me such pleasure. It is something that I cannot even fully describe. I am sure that when I return home I will recount all the details of this amazing sight, how these avreichim are examined and are fully proficient in the entire Talmud.”

Harav Ezrachi concluded his remarks with an emotional blessing to the avreichim, “I pray that the Master of the Universe will grant you all the good of this world – health success and blessing. You are bringing about an abundance of the honor of Heaven, you cause an abundance of the knowledge of Torah in the Jewish people – you certainly deserve all the good that is stored up for the righteous.”

The Shas Yiden network is an incredible Torah project where tens of avreichim, all geniuses, au fait with the entire Talmud – every year they complete the study of every folio, a minimum of 5 times each. They follow a unique and demanding program of study and repetition. Most recently, Maran Sar Hatorah, Hagaon Hagadol Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a, accepted the honor of being the Nasi of the Shas Yiden Network. Just a year ago, he urged Harav Eisen to establish further Shas Yiden branches throughout the Holy Land.

At present, there are three Shas Yiden branches – Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak and, now in Yerushalayim. In all one can meet tens of true gaonim, each an incredible scholar, who constantly navigate the length and entire breadth of the Talmud with all-embracing knowledge and total recall!

For further information on Shas Yiden, OR to see siyumim of Shas with Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a, OR intensive live farheren (oral tests) on the entire Talmud, OR comments of the leading  talmidei chachomim of Eretz Yisroel OR to donate, please click on www.shasyiden.com or call 718-702-1528, 1274 49^th Street, Suite 562, Brooklyn, NY 11219

The Sar Hatorah – THE SHAS YID of our Generation
Becomes the Nasi of Shas Yiden
By Eliezer Sandler

For the last 6 years, Sar Hatorah and Rash’k’baha”g, Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a, has given the avreichim hageonim of Shas Yiden an annual farher of the entire Shas. On each occasion, they all excelled. Rav Chaim, who is a passionate promoter of studying and mastering the entire Shas, expressed his joy and satisfaction at their prowess and encyclopedic knowledge.

Two weeks ago, in a gathering at his home with the hanhallah of Shas Yiden, his sons hageonim shlit”a,  the avreichim hageonim and supporters of Shas Yiden from America, Rav Chaim accepted to serve as the Nasi of the Reshet Hakollelim – Shas Yiden (the Shas Yiden Network in Eretz Yisroel).

The fact that the Shas Yiden avreichim study some 160 days more per year than other kollelim has not been lost on Rav Chaim. The only change in the daily Shas Yiden regimen is that on Shabbos and Yom Tov and the days before each, the study load is reduced from 8 daf to 4, but still with the four chazoras (reviews). No compliment could have been greater than his words at the last Siyum Hashas. He had asked a ‘trick’ question that demanded a knowledge of every word by heart, and when he received the answer he sought, Rav Chaim exclaimed, “Zei kennen Shas (They know Shas)!”

When Rav Chaim finished giving them the Shas farher, he gave a brocha for the opening of Shas Yiden-Yerushalayim, made a heartfelt l’chaim and then signed a note expressing his appreciation of Shas Yiden. All present then burst into song.

 

 

Rav Chaim’s Request and Brocha

Rav Chaim has taken an avid interest in the progress and development of Shas Yiden. It was at the annual farher in November 2016, that he made a personal request of the Shas Yiden Founder, Hagaon Harav Avrohom Eisen, the Pozna Rov, shlit”a, to open a second kollel branch in Bnei Brak that would follow the same Shas Yiden regimen of pansophic Talmudic excellence.

Rav Eisen, together with the Rosh Hakollelim, Hagaon Harav Moshe Isaac Samet, shlit”a, set about identifying, interviewing and testing applicants. While there were many hopefuls, there were very few who would be able to keep up with the demanding pace and the 8 daf-a-day regimen of the Shas Yiden program. In just 7 months, 10 avreichim geonim were identified and accepted. Thus, on Rosh Chodesh Iyar last year, Shas Yiden-Bnei Brak was inaugurated in the home of Rav Chaim.

At the last farher at Channukah time, after receiving requests to open Shas Yiden kollelim in Yerushalayim and other centers, Rav Eisen asked Rav Chaim for a brocha regarding the Yerushalayim kollel. Rav Chaim’s response was he should establish “Another TEN!”

 

32+10 = 569,310? – The Brocha Comes True

This latest gathering of the avreichim geonim at Rav Chaim was the third in the space of a year. The occasion was Rav Chaim presiding over the inauguration of Shas Yiden-Yerushalayim as per his enthusiastic brocha just seven months ago. As has been his custom, Rav Chaim gave them a farher on Shas! Rav Eisen called out the name of a maseches, Rav Chaim responded with a question, and the avreichim responded with the answers. It was amazing.

This time the complement of the avreichim geonim – 21 in Bet Shemesh and 11 in Bnei Brak – increased by 10 – the new avreichim geonim from Yerushalayim. The minimum requirement for each avreich is to complete the 2711 daf of Shas five times, which equals 13,555 daf per year! Multiplied by 42 avreichim, this equals 569,310 daf in the course of this year!

 

Shas Yiden – Yerushalayim

Since Chanukah, Rav Samet has kept an eye open for outstanding talmidei chachomim in Yerushalayim to echo the tremendous achievements of the avreichim geonim in Bnei Brak and Bet Shemesh. There were many applicants, and after interviewing and testing them all, a minyan of metzuyonim were accepted. But then, a suitable location was needed. Well, there is now a new landmark. Next door to the famous Manny’s bookstore, emblazoned for all to see is the large blue sign – Reshet Hakollelim – Shas Yiden, Yerushalayim.

In less than two weeks of its existence, it has become a talking point throughout the city – the all-encompassing greatness of the Torah is being restored in the Holy City.

 

 

Rav Chaim’s Messages

Maran Sar Hatorah asked his chavrusa, Harav Hagaon Eliyohu Mann, to deliver messages on his behalf, to both the avreichim and to the dozen supporters of Shas Yiden who had flown in to Eretz Yisroel for the special occasion. To the avreichim the message emphasized the vital and supreme importance of learning Torah.  The message was interrupted a few times by Rav Chaim, plying the avreichim with questions from Shas. Rav Mann then expressed Rav Chaim’s appreciation of the Pozna Rov for what had already been achieved by the Shas Yiden kollelim.  

To the supporters, Rav Mann mentioned that they would be blessed measure for measure – just as they assisted for kol Hatorah (all of the Torah) to be learned, that you will be blessed with all the blessings: Blessed is the one who supports (yakim) this Torah – both materially and spiritually.

The gathering was addressed by Hagaon Harav Chaim Feinstein, Rosh Yeshiva of Ateret Shlomo.  

 

Talk of Mashiach

Rav Mann turned to Rav Chaim and asked, “What will those who support Shas Yiden merit?” Rav Chaim’s two-word answer stunned everyone present – “l’yemos Hamashiach (the Days of Mashiach)!” Amid the consternation, Rav Man asked, “But before the days of Mashiach come the chevlei (travails of) Mashiach. Will the supporters of Shas Yiden be saved from them?” Rav Chaim responded: “Both spiritually and materially – behakol (in everything).” Rav Chaim then added that the wives of the Shas Yiden supporters will receive half of these rewards!

Hagaon Harav Chaim Feinstein, Rosh Yeshiva Ateret Shlomo, was asked to address the gathering and was overflowing in his praise of Shas Yiden. When he concluded his words, Rav Chaim exclaimed “It is time to drink a l’chaim”. Immediately after these brochos, the Sar Hatorah took leave of the avreichim, Rav Eisen and the supporters. The members of the Rav’s household all declared that there had never been a similar gathering in the home of Rav Chaim.  

 

“Farher Intensive”

In the afternoon preceding the Shas Yiden-Yerushalayim gathering, all the avreichim geonim gathered in the Shas Yiden-Bnei Brak bais medrash for a full-blown farher on the entire Shas. The visitors from the United States would have the opportunity to see ‘total Torah in action’. For over an hour they witnessed total focus and the ebb and flow of Torah knowledge from every corner of Shas.

The farher was conducted by Hagaon Hagadol Rav Yitzchak Shaul Kanievsky, son of Rav Chaim. By his own admission, he had thoroughly prepared some 50 questions from all over Shas. His comments after the dynamic farher: “This was unbelievable. These are 42 avreichim who are incredible geonim. As much as I tried to ‘catch them out’ I simply could not. They are all fully proficient in the entire Shas. I have never witnessed such a collective display of Torah knowledge in one group.”

After the breathtaking farher, one of the visitors exclaimed, “THIS WAS A WOW!” Another said, “Where in the world can one see true lomdei v’yodei Torah together in one room and immersed totally in Torah? It was as if missiles of Torah were shooting all over the room and all the avreichim were at the controls at the same time.”

 

At Harav Gershon Edelstein

Another highlight of the new zman and the new Shas Yiden-Yerushalayim, was the address by Maran Hagaon Harav Gershon Edelstein, Rosh Hayeshiva of Ponevez. At a special gathering at his home for the avreichim and the visitors, Rav Gershon spoke most inspiringly about the concept of limud Hatorah. His words dramatically brought home the beauty and fulfillment of Torah that can eclipse even the physical hardships that may face one on his quest to plumb the depths and master the expanse of Torah. “Not only will you be enveloped in holiness, but contented and happy you will be in this world, and it shall be good for you in the World to Come.

Rav Edelstein then addressed the Shas Yiden supporters, highlighting for them the benefits to them in Olam Habah that would result from their Yissachar-Zevulun pacts with the avreichim hageonim. He highlighted his words with a story of one who had passed on and had sponsored the learning of Gittin. He appeared in a dream in which he recited the entire Rashba on Gittin – something that he had never learned in his life!

Visits with the Gedolei Torah

The group of Shas Yiden supporters were taken for private visits with Marannan Hagedolim Harav Berel Povarski, Rosh Yeshiva of Ponevez, Harav Dov Landau of Slabodka and Harav Shimon Baadani in their homes. Meeting with the mashpia hagadol Harav Elimelech Biederman was an uplifting experience leading up to the gathering at Rav Chaim. All the gedolim were effusive about Shas Yiden and encouraged the visitors to continue their support, and spoke about the brochos with which they would be blessed.

The group also visited with Harav Hadmor David Abuhatzeira in Naharia who offered his warmest blessings and declared that the “world rests on the Torah of Shas Yiden! Whoever supports Shas Yiden will merit to be blessed with the 48 kinyanei Hatorah.”

In Yerushalayim, the group met with Hagaonim Roshei Hayeshiva: Harav David Cohen of Chevron, Harav Yaakov Hillel of Ahavat Shalom, Harav Yitzchok Sheiner of Kaminetz, Harav Shalom Cohen of Porat Yosef, Harav Chaim Hacohen Kook of Toras Refoel and Harav Tuvia Weiss, the Yerushalayimer Rov.

Recordings and videos of the gathering at Rav Chaim and the farher will soon be uploaded to the Shas Yiden website – www.shasyiden.com – shortly after Shavuos. For further information on Shas Yiden or to donate, call 718-702-1528 or go to the website and click on the Donate tab.