Rav & Dayan, Kehilat Sanz of Bnei Brak
Rosh Yeshiva, ‘Torah Lishma’, Bnei Brak

ב”ה

A Precious Testimony

With pleasure and joy in my heart, I declare that I had the privilege to participate in a gathering for the honor of the Torah, the kind of which I have never seen before. This gathering was one “that will not be forgotten from the mouths of his descendants” to personally witness לא אלמן ישראל )that  Israel is not a widower and bereft) and that “all this came with us, and we have not forgotten it” – the knowledge of Torah, the toiling in Torah, and the memorizing of Torah. Simply, it all had to be seen to be believed!!!

In fact, it is some time since I heard of the Shas Yiden bastions of Torah that are well known for their reputation and their praise throughout the world of Torah and throughout the Jewish people. However, my heart was distant and it appeared to me that there must be some exaggeration, and in the words of Chaza”l: אין דומה שמיעה לראיה (“Hearing is not like seeing”)

Behold on Wednesday, 10 Kislev, there was a gathering of the champions of Torah, the avreichim geonim of Shas Yiden, led by the founder, the Pozna Rov, Hagaon Harav Avrohom Halevi Eisen, shlit”a. A great privilege had been accorded me to come and test these geonim – over 120 of them – and among them young avreichim!!! Yir’as shomayim (Awe of Heaven) was bathed on their countenances, a sign that they have cast behind them the lure of materialism and other opportunities, so that what has remained with them are the words of Torah. 

They are precious avreichim from Eretz Yisroel – Yerushalayim (the Palace of the King), Bnei Brak (the city of Torah), from Beit Shemesh, Betar Illit and Modi’in Illit, and from the Diaspora – New York (the great city) and London (the capital city). While they all come from different communities and circles, the one element that unites them all is limud Hatorah (the study of Torah), the debates of Abaye and Rava – the holy Shas.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that in the years ahead, from the Shas Yiden bastions of Torah, will emerge Gedolei Torah, geonim, Roshei Yeshiva and important poskim who will teach Torah to multitudes across the entire Jewish people.

Thus, “How priceless is your kindness Hashem” – how precious are those who support the learning of Torah  and who merit to hold fast to this tree of life. Not all who wish to clasp it can do so, when the merit of learning Torah in depth and breadth as these talmidei chachomim who are at once ‘Sinai and Oker Harim’ (Total textual knowledge and up-rooters of mountains) are not readily found.

The awesome image of Rabbeinu Hagaon v’Hakadosh of Sanz-Klausenberg comes to mind. He toiled and labored all his days, in the generation after the war, to establish a generation of incredible avreichim who would be fully conversant with Shas. This was his happiness and hope for the continuity of the Jewish people. And here we can behold the fulfillment of that hope –

“Praised is the nation that has this, praised is the nation that the Hashem is its G-d.”

I conclude with a wish of abundant brochos to honor these Geonim of Torah and for their supporters with love and joy of the heart, for great success in all their endeavors to glorify Torah. And to all the supporters, may the following verse be fulfilled in you: “It is a tree of life for those who cling to it, and its supporters will be content” – with both happiness and materially all their days. And as the verse declares: “Blessed Is the person who will support the words of this Torah” – Amen and may it be His will.

Signed and sealed in honor of those geonim who toil in Torah.

Eliezer David Shapiro

By Rabbi Eliezer Sandler

The Loftiest of Goals…
Ever since he established the Shas Yiden Kollel Network 16 years ago, the Pozna Rov, Hagaon Harav Avrohom Halevi Eisen, shlit”a, has made sure that the Shas Yiden geonim are given the appropriate respect and recognition due to future gedolei Torah of Am Yisroel. 

Their goal is to be an integral part of the legacy of the late Nasi of Shas Yiden, Sar Hatorah Maran Hagaon Hagadol Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l. This includes, as per Reb Chaim, ידיעת כל הש”ס כולו בעל פה (to know the entire Shas by heart) with all the Rashis, all the Tosfos and Rishonim. To master the Yerushalmi, and many other major works and sifrei kodesh. To rise higher and higher in yedias Hatorah (Torah knowledge) and middos tovos in kedusha and tahara. 

This aim is being earnestly pursued with incredible mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) by all 126 Shas Yiden geonim. They have developed into a learning model for yeshivos, kollelim, bochrim and avreichim throughout the Torah world. 

But at what cost?
As with all endeavors in life, everything comes at a cost and one must believe that what one does is worth it. The mesirus nefesh to achieve these noble goals is considerable. For many families, because the father at Shas Yiden is committed to hours and hours of limud daily, including Fridays and Shabbos, Erev Yom Tov and Yom Tov, it requires a significant commitment. Thus, coping with all the housework, caring for the children and seeing to their homework etc., an enormous load falls on the shoulders of the wife and mother. 

 Eishes Chaver k’Chaver!
At Shas Yiden since its founding, the Pozna Rov has kept the concept of Eishes Chaver k’Chaver, namely that the spouse of a scholar or communal leader must be treated and honored with the same respect and care as is her husband. In fact, the gemora in Sotah (21a) states that one’s wife has a full and equal portion in all his learning!

The wife is the enabler of her husband’s ability and opportunity to sit and learn. With the significant and rigorous learning regimen at Shas Yiden, the demands on the eishes chayil are much greater than at other kollelim. As a result, at every annual Siyum Hashas, the wives are honored and acknowledged, and receive appropriate gifts and presentations. As well, the Pozna Rov has made sure that there is peace of mind in their homes by having the monthly kollel stipends fully paid by each Rosh Chodesh. In addition, there is a second full check for the months of Tishrei and Nissan to help with simchas yom tov. This payment schedule commitment has been met every month over the last 16 years. They can rest assured that the payment will arrive on time.

Feeling of security – One of the Shas Yiden geonim in Eretz Yisroel shared the following with the Pozna Rov: “It was just before Yom Tov when my wife spoke with her cousin, Raizy, a wife of a kollel yungerman in the mid-West. They were chatting and my wife asked her what she was getting for herself for yom tov. She told her that not only were finances tight, she was not sure when the check would arrive, and she had to make sure that they had with what to buy tzorchei Yom Tov first. When pushed, Raizy said that sometimes the checks could even be a few months behind, so she could certainly not plan on getting anything for yom tov… After that call, my wife could only say Boruch Hashem that Shas Yiden gives us peace of mind.” 

A Shas Yid as a Husband and Father
The perennial question asked of a kollel couple is with 3 sedorim (study sessions) a day – each approximately 3-4  hours long: How does he function as a husband and a hands-on father. This question appears to be magnified when it comes to an avreich at Shas Yiden, which has an enormous 7 days-a-week learning workload (Sun-Thurs – 9 blatt-a-day with all the Rashis and Tosfos PLUS 4 revisions (i.e. 45 blatt!), and Fri-Shabbos – 4 blatt-a-day with all the Rashis and Tosfos PLUS 4 revisions (i.e. 20 blatt!).

Mindful that we are talking about bnei Aliyah, a couple that live on a Torah level with lofty aspirations, the key is the total trust and respect between the Shas Yid gaon  and his Rebbetzin. Their mutual commitment to each other and to the incredible goal that they perceive ahead. Neither can afford to take the other for granted. For them, the Eishes Chayil at the Shabbos table is not just a nice weekly song with a nice tune. For them, particularly, Shlomo Hamelech’s words are incredibly meaningful and resound in their context. 

Their children observe the mutual derech eretz and caring between their parents, and their reverence for the Torah that permeates their home. Boruch Hashem, it rubs off on their kids. All these attributes contribute deeply when life’s challenges come along. In addition, the Pozna Rov and the Rosh Kollel are ‘safety nets’ and are available to be listening ears.

The Rebbetzins Fly to Eretz Yisroel
With the advent of the recent Annual Farher & Siyumei Hashasim, the Pozna Rov flew the Shas Yiden geonim and their wives from the USA and UK to Eretz Yisroel to participate in the Simchas Limud Hatorah. This would enable the men to meet their colleagues and for their wives to meet and spend time with their counterparts. It would be an opportunity to discuss their challenges and to give chizuk to one another. Often, unless a kollel is in a limited location, the kollel wives do not have such opportunities at home. This is quite true at the Flatbush Shas Yiden where most of the Shas Yiden geonim live scattered in Boro Park and Williamsburg. On this occasion, it was most appropriate that they all met in the Holy Land. After all, they are part of a very select and unique group in Klal Yisroel.

Meeting their counterpart Rebbetzins was both exciting and emotional as they all come from so many locations and backgrounds. It was both significant and encouraging, and a strong bond of common goals developed very quickly between the different groups. They formed strong links in the Shas Yiden chain from Eretz Yisroel across the sea.

Flatbush Rebbetzins Attend Farher and see their Husbands Excel
Usually, the wives do not attend the farher and arrive for the Siyum and banquet. However, this year, the simcha was held in the city of Lod (near the airport) and there was a concern that the New York ladies, not being familiar with the local transportation and getting to the hall, may get confused and even miss the celebration. So, it was arranged for them to come in the same bus as their husbands, even though they would arrive at the venue two hours before the siyum. 

However, it turned out to be fortunate, because they had the opportunity to watch their husbands and the other Shas Yiden geonim being put through their paces. They would get a first-hand view of their greatness and what being part of Shas Yiden is all about. 

The first farher was conducted by Gaon Yisroel. Maran Hagaon Hagadol Harav Dov Lando, Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka, and the second by Maran Hagaon Harav Eliezer Dovid Shapiro, Rav of the Sanz community in Bnei Brak.

“It was breathtaking and mind-boggling,” said one of the wives. There were rows of the Shas Yiden geonim, grouped according to their kollelim. Each had a microphone before him and faced the dais where the farherers were seated, flanked by the Pozna Rov and the Rosh Kollel.  

It was incredible to watch the action as they responded, often many at the same time, quoting from all over Bavli, Yerushalmi, Rambam and Shulchan Aruch. One lady described it as “akin to a real estate auction with people shouting out their bids at the same time. Except here it was all ‘bids’ of Torah, but with the same passion and vigor. 

“Then there was the going back and forth between questioner and defender, with all understanding the questions and the different approaches. It was almost indescribable.” 

When Rav Shapiro questioned them, there was a look of astonishment on his face as he witnessed the prowess of the Shas Yiden geonim. Periodically, he jumped up from his seat, knocking on the table and saying: ‘This is incredible… It is simply amazing… Pilei plo’im… This is not simple…”

During the farher, the Flatbush contingent really stood out. This newest branch of Shas Yiden proved to be worthy talmidei chachomim geonim, along with those from London and Eretz Yisroel.

When the Shas Yiden blessed the Negidim
During the conclusion of the Siyumim, it was impressive to look at the dais and watch the reaction of the philanthropists when the Shas Yiden geonim came up to them and gave each a special brocha in recognition of their support of the Shas Yiden learning, and which should continue to be a source of blessing for them. “You are true sustainers of the Torah and learning at Shas Yiden. Our brocha is that you should be able to continue supporting all the charities and learning that you do, in good health and spirit.”

By Rabbi Eliezer Sandler

The Shas Yiden Phenomenon
It was time for the annual Farher & Siyumim of what has become the International Shas Yiden Network of Kollelim. The Shas Yiden geonim who really know gantz Shas (the entire Shas) from one end to the other – including all the Gemora, Rashi, Tosfos, plus rishonim and acharonim. And among them are those who know Shas Yerushalmi and many who know shu”tim (responsa) of rishonim and acharonim.

There has also been an incredible growth among the number of avreichim geonim, so that as of this date, Shas Yiden, is a true etz chaim (Tree of Life) and comprises 7 branches – five in Eretz Yisroel, one in London, UK and one in Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY.

Shas Yiden is the product of the vision of the Pozna Rov, Hagaon Harav Avrohom Eisen, shlit”a, who has built an amazing and unique program for hand-picked avreichim geonim. Based on a unique study method, the program has proven itself beyond all expectations and is lauded by the Gedolim across Eretz Yisroel and the Diaspora. 

In its framework, each one of these Shas Yiden geonim has been able to become a Shas Yid, from beginning to end, with an incredible, detailed and in-depth knowledge of Shas. It demands an unceasing regimen of 9 blatt plus 4 revisions daily (45 blatt!) and a lesser load on Fridays and Shabbosim (20 blatt); regular detailed exams – weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually. The final is on the entire Shas! As a result, the Shas Yiden geonim study every volume and page with a ‘fine toothcomb’ – thus, Shas five times a year!

Remarkable Double Farher – Haflei va’felleh
In the 16 years since the establishment of Shas Yiden, under the guidance of Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Hagadol ‘Reb Chaim’ Kanievsky, zt”l, the Nasi of Shas Yiden, at the completion of the annual cycle of learning Shas, it has become a tradition to have a detailed Shas farher followed by a siyum. (Rather Siyumim, as each of the Shas Yiden geonim will have completed Shas multiple times that year!) For years, Reb Chaim would conduct the farher himself, enjoying the immediate and accurate responses of the Shas Yiden geonim and the ‘give-and-take’ with them.  Today the number of Shas Yiden geonim has reached 126, Boruch Hashem.

As in the past, the attendees included the Gedolei Eretz Yisroel, led by the Gaon Yisroel, Maran Harav Dov Lando, shlit”a, Rosh Yehiva Slabodka, Bnei Brak. He presented the Shas Yiden geonim with a searching string of questions from all over Shas – going systematically through Moed, Nashim and Nezikin, and then Zeraim, Kodashim and Taharos. 

Among the questions that he presented were: Where do we find that if a father is pasul, he can present his son who is kosher for marriage, and vice versa? If a man leaves an estate with a lesser amount of money, how can the heir receive a greater amount? How is it possible for a man to betroth a wife whereby she will be forbidden to him as an eishes ish (a married woman)? (Note: To see the Shas Yiden Kiddush Hashem farher videos click on www.shasyiden.com.)

When he was confronted with a flood of answers, quoting different sources from across Shas, Rav Lando’s face creased into a beaming smile. He did not hide his great excitement at the incredible knowledge of the Shas Yiden geonim, הם יודעים ש”ס בעיון ובהיקף (They know Shas in-depth and in its totality) and then kept repeating “הפלא ופלא”, “טוב מאוד”, “אשריכם, אתם יודעים היטב” (Exceptional and amazing, Very Good, You are to be praised, You Know it well!) 

In the Words of Rav Lando
After he spent time debating and discussing with the Shas Yiden geonim, Rav Lando gave words of praise: “The Shas Yiden Network led by the Pozna Rov is outstanding in the study of Torah that protects and saves the Jewish people… the study of Torah in depth and in breath”. He also spoke glowingly in praise of the Shas Yiden geonim and declared, “In their merit and in the merit of the Torah that they study we are saved from all our enemies… Praised are these avreichim geonim, Bnei Torah, who study Torah ביגיעה רבה ובמסירות (with such great effort and dedication). They have just shown that the entire Shas is as if contained in their pockets!”

Rav Lando then added a special blessing to the philanthropists who had travelled to participate in the magnificent simcha: “These are people who understand the importance of investing wisely, placing their money in the correct places and [in their investment in Shas Yiden] they have acquired for themselves eternal returns. Praised are they who support and stand to the right hand [of Shas Yiden], to bring honor and glory to the Torah. May they all merit nachas from what they have, health, length of days and the coming of the holy redeemer, speedily in our days, amen.”

A Second Dynamic Farher

Hagaon, Harav Moshe Isaac Samet, Rosh Kollel of the Shas Yiden Network, expressed the deep appreciation of the Shas Yiden geonim for the founder, the Pozna Rov. He emphasized the special manner in which the Pozna Rov has taken the words Chaza”l to heart, namely that a person should make signs and a system whereby to be able to remember the Torah. The Pozna Rov developed this concept and idea to implement a widening system that enables Shas Yiden geonim to remember the entire Shas in a manner that has no precedent and with the kind of results that have not been seen for many generations. 

This was the opinion of the Gedolim of our generation, led by the late Sar Hatorah zt”l, who was the גדול העומד על גבו (the great one who stands over him) of the Pozna Rov. He encouraged him with his full support to add and increase the efforts for learning, and even guided him to aim at increasing and establishing 10 branches of the Shas Yiden network.

Rav Samet then invited the incredible gaon, Harav Eliezer Dovid Shapiro, shlit”a, Rav of the Sanz Community in Bnei Brak. 

Torah Fireworks from Rav Shapiro
For a full hour, Rav Shapiro, together with the Shas Yiden geonim, traversed Shas from Gemora Brochos through to the end. He focused essentially on Tosfos throughout Shas, and from time to time referred to the Responsa of the Yerushalmi, Midrashim, Tur and Shulchan Aruch (all four sections), and even Responsa of Rishonim and Acharonim, such as Terumas Hadeshen, Chacham Tzvi, Noda Bi’Yehuda, Chiddush of Rav Menachem Zemba, etc. Incredibly, in whichever direction Rav Shapiro turned or pointed his questions, the Shas Yiden geonim answered swiftly and to the point, reflecting an encyclopedic Torah knowledge. 

Rav Shapiro could not hide his amazement. With tears of excitement in his eyes he turned to the Pozna Rov thanking him for the enormous gift that he has bestowed on the Jewish people – the Shas Yiden network. “It is unique and you have established it with lions of Torah who are fully au fait with all the intricacies of the Torah, and with such total recall.

In order to respond correctly to Rav Shapiro’s questions, an incredible memory of the entire Shas was needed. For example: Which laws were learnt or derived in Shas via svora (logical reasoning). He was not satisfied with just a factual identification. Rather, which Gemoras specifically say that the halacha is derived from a svora, and then they had to clarify regarding which does Rashi say are learned from a svora? 

He also asked from where are various principles learned in Shas. Examples: What is the source of a מצוה הבאה בעבירה (a mitzvah resulting from a transgression)? What is the source for עשה דוחה לא תעשה (a positive law negating a restrictive law) regarding a yevama, kil’ayim and tzitzit? In which cases do we say it does not apply?

Each answer required the exact source in the Talmud, including the masechta, the daf and side a or b, the location on the page (top, middle or bottom), and if Tosfos is referenced, which one on the page? To Rabbi Shapiro’s repeated amazement, his questions received an avalanche of immediate and accurate answers.

A First for ‘Flatbush USA’!
For the newest branch of the Shas Yiden Network, ‘Flatbush USA’, this was the first time that the Flatbush Shas Yiden geonim participated in the annual Farher & Siyumim. They joined with and got to know their colleagues in the Eretz Hakodesh kollelim and those who arrived from London.

During the farher, the Flatbush contingent really showed their mettle and prowess. They made their mark and demonstrated that they were worthy competition to the Shas Yiden geonim from Eretz Yisroel and London. To facilitate their fair and equal participation, the questions were asked both in Hebrew and Yiddish, and could be answered in either language. The seasoned Shas Yiden geonim expressed their amazement at the proficiency and impressive knowledge of the Flatbush contingent. 

This opportunity for them to attend was made possible by the Pozna Rov who arranged air tickets for the avreichim and their wives from the USA and the UK. This enabled them to meet their counterparts and experience being part of this singular and select group in klal Yisroel of Shas Yiden geonim, all with the same mission – to master Shas and other Torah works, all for one purpose: לקדש שם שמים מתוך לימוד התורה (To sanctify the Name of Heaven through Torah study).

By Rabbi Eliezer Sandler

It was time for the annual Shas Farher & Siyumim of the International Shas Yiden Network of Kollelim. These avreichim geonim really know gantz Shas (the entire Shas) from one end to the other. They first underwent a grueling almost two-hour double farher of Shas by Gaon Yisroel, Maran Harav Dov Landau, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka and Maran Hagaon Harav Eliezer Dovid Shapiro, shlit”a, Rav of the Sanz community in Bnei Brak. 

There has also been an incredible growth among the number of Shas Yiden geonim – a complement of 126. Shas Yiden has become a true etz chaim (Tree of Life) and comprises 7 branches – five in Eretz Yisroel, one in London, UK, and, trans-Atlantic, one in Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY.

Shas Yiden is the product of the vision of the Pozna Rov, Hagaon Harav Avrohom Eisen, shlit”a, who, 16 years ago, established an amazing and unique program for hand-picked avreichim geonim. The Shas Yiden program has proven itself beyond all expectations and is lauded by Gedolim across Eretz Yisroel and the Diaspora. The demanding regimen enables the Shas Yiden geonim to complete every volume and page of Shas with a ‘fine toothcomb’ – as a result, each completes Shas five times a year!

Maran Harav Dov Lando
After his farher, Rav Lando commented: “The Shas Yiden Network led by the Pozna Rov is outstanding in the study of Torah… in depth and in breath “They Know Shas B’Iyun U’v’hekef – Haflei Vafelleh”. In their merit and that of the Torah that they study we are saved from all our enemies… Praised are these Shas Yiden geonim, bnei aliyah, who study Torah be’yegiah rabbah u’vi’mesirus (with great effort and dedication). At the farher, they just demonstrated that it is as if the entire Shas is contained in their pockets!”

The Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva then added a special blessing to the philanthropists who had travelled from abroad to participate in the magnificent simcha: “These are people who understand the importance of investing wisely, placing their money in the correct places and [through their investment in Shas Yiden] they have acquired for themselves eternal returns. Praised are they who support and stand with Shas Yiden, to bring honor and glory to the Torah. May they all merit nachas from what they have, good health, length of days and the coming of the holy redeemer, speedily in our days, amen.”

Rav Eliezer Dovid Shapiro
Rav Shapiro, commenting on his farher of the Shas Yiden geonim, could not hide his amazement. With tears of excitement in his eyes he turned to the Pozna Rov and thanked him for the enormous gift of Shas Yiden that he has bestowed on the Jewish people. “It is unique and you have established it with the lions of the Shas Yiden network, people who are fully au fait with all the intricacies of the Torah and with such total recall.”

1st Time for ‘Flatbush USA’
Their participation in the Shas Yiden Annual Faher & Siyumim was a first for the Flatbush Shas Yiden geonim. This opportunity for them to attend was made possible by the Pozna Rov who arranged the air tickets for the Shas Yiden geonim and their wives from the USA and the UK. This enabled them to meet their counterparts and experience being part of this singular and select group in klal Yisroel – Shas Yiden geonim umetzuyonim – all with the same sense of purpose: to master Shas and other Torah works l’kadesh sheim shomayim mitoch limud Hatorah (To sanctify Hashem through Torah study). 

Moreover, this was a singular opportunity to honor the wives of the avreichim geonim. Their personal sacrifice of so much of their regular comfort and help that they would normally have received from their husbands at home. The task of caring for the entire home and family is firmly on their shoulders, just in order to enable their husbands to focus constantly and diligently on their learning, and to be able to keep up with the incredible and demanding pace of limud & chazora (study and revisions). Thus, their wives have an equal portion in all their learning and success, and deserve to be honored as true n’shos v’imohos Yisroel (wives and mothers of Klal Yisroel).

The meeting between these Rebbitzins from USA , London, and Eretz Yisroel, was at once emotional and a source of encouragement for them all. They are truly a unique and select group of ladies. A strong bond of common goals and purpose resulted – strong links in a chain across the Atlantic. 

Each of the 126 ladies was presented with a personal letter of appreciation from the Pozna Rov, an envelope with a generous cash gift, peckelach in the shape of a Torah stuffed with goodies for each of their children, and a heartfelt thank you for their unstinting support. 

The Annual Siyumim & Seudas Mitzvah
After the public farher, all the attendees transferred to the main hall of “Shamayim Petuchim” in the city of Lod (near the airport). They were about to celebrate with pomp and circumstance amid great happiness, the joy of concluding the annual cycle of studying the entire Shas.

The hall was festooned with special décor in honor of the auspicious occasion. The celebratory Shas Siyumim was a seudah ‘fit for a king’ – with tasty courses beautifully presented. The Shas Yiden geonim were joined by their parents and in-laws who were invited to join in the simcha, as each celebrated his conclusion of studying the entire Shas.

The dais comprised a veritable Who’s Who of Gedolei Torah from across the Torah spectrum. Among them was Maran Hagaon Harav Yitzchak Shaul Kanievsky, shlit”a, and from New York, Hagaon Harav Aryeh Z Ginzburg, Rav of the Chofetz Chaim Torah Center in Cedarhurst. All came to pay tribute to a Torah project that has captured the imagination of the Torah world. Shas Yiden has unquestionably raised the Torah-learning bar, and has made the learning and mastery of Shas and other Torah works such as Yerushalmi, Tur and Shulchan Aruch, Rishonim etc. achievable goals.

The Kaddish of the Hadran of the 126 Siyumei Hashasim was recited by Harav Yisroel Halevi Moskowitz, patron of Shas Yiden London.

Maran Hamekubal Harav Yaakov Meir Shechter
A special guest at the simcha was Maran Hagaon Hatzaddik Harav Yaakov Meir Shechter, shlit”a, who was asked to give divrei brocha to the gathering. Rav Schechter could not hide his great excitement on the occasion of this wonderful gathering, and with great zeal he rose from his seat and began to lead singing and dancing with abandon for the honor of Torah, joined by all present. This dancing with devotion was mirrored on the ladies’ side of the mechitzah. 

Rav Shechter extended his brocha to the Shas Yiden geonim and all present with bircas Hatorah that they should all merit to magnify and glorify the Torah, and to begin and conclude Shas many more times, learning Torah lishma (for its own sake), all from a spirit of kedusha v’tahara (holiness and purity).

Reb Meilech Biederman
The keynote speaker of the Siyumim was Maran Hamashpia Hagadol, Reb Meilech Biederman, shlit”a, who had all spellbound with his oratory and passion.  He spoke of the incredible zechus of those who are so occupied with Torah as are the Shas Yiden geonim. None can be considered in close proximity to them, and no decree can stand before them. It is through the Torah that they merit guidance from above the world of nature. It is just as was witnessed about the Gedolim of previous generations who brought about yeshuos beyond our natural experience through the power of the holy Torah. 

The Brocha and the Baby: Reb Meilech recalled a childless couple who had been present at the previous Annual Farher & Siyumim. For five years, they had been trying to have a child and had consulted leading specialists, all to no avail. Pozna Rov had turned to the Shas Yiden geonim and asked them to give a brocha to the couple. 

To a man, they rose and gathered around the husband, as did their wives around the woman in the ladies’ section. With heartrending prayer on their lips, they stood beseeching Hashem for a brocha for the couple – that they should merit to see children and grandchildren, healthy and strong, who would be busy with Torah lishma and fulfill the mitzvos. Clearly, there was not a dry eye in the hall at that time.

Reb Meilech said that this was an example of Ayzeh hu chacham? Haroeh es hanolad! (Who is the wise person? He who sees what is born or eventuates.) In this case, it was literally ‘what is born’. Reb Meilech continued, as a baby carriage with a three-month-old baby boy was wheeled in. “Look at this child and understand how great and awesome are the brochos of the Shas Yiden geonim!”

Bircas Hanegidim
This was followed by an awesome sight where all the Shas Yiden geonim filed past the philanthropists who were on the dais, and who were each given a brocha: Just as you had the zchus to fulfill “the wise of heart should take a mitzvah” and invest in the Torah at Shas Yiden, you have acquired the eternal zechus & brocha of us avreichim. 

Siyumim Seudas Mitzvah
The seudas mitzvah was conducted on beautifully decorated tables, and the food and refreshments were all truly royal – all for the honor of the Torah and the talmidei chachomim. Between the courses, people went up to the dais, including parents of the Shas Yiden, among them famous rabbis and leaders. Representatives of the Shas Yiden geonim themselves used the opportunity to publicly thank the Pozna Rov for the amazing gift to be part of the Shas Yiden Kiddush Hashem project and this Ma’amad of Kovod Hatorah. “Thank you for believing in us and for your encouragement for each of us to rise higher and higher in limud and yedi’as Hatorah.”

• Maran Posek Hador, the Gaon Harav Moshe Shternbuch, shlit”a, arrived at the siyum Hashas of the Shas Yiden kollel network. Without any advanced warning, he was asked if he would test the avreichim
• The masterful questions and in-depth and comprehensive answers and sources amazed all who were present.
• Maran’s excitement was palpable when he declared: In yesteryear, it was just a dream that Yiden would be knowledgeable of the entire Shas, and in detail. And here, today, we see so many avreichim being tested orally on the entire Shas.

A once in a generation happening! Maran Hagaon Harav Shternbuch arrived to attend a siyum Hashas of Shas Yiden, under the leadership of its founder, the Pozna Rov, Hagaon, Harav Avrohom Eisen, shlit”a.

After Maran delivered words of encouragement, the Pozna Rov turned to him with a special request: would he agree to test the Shas Yiden avreichim.

And the sight was, literally, spellbinding. The Shas Yiden avreichim geonim were truly amazing in their comprehensive and detailed responses. Questions on the laws of Me’ilah, definitions of ‘migo’, ‘shaliach lidvar aveirah’, ‘sfeik sfeika’ and other sugyos in Shas.

Maran was clearly very excited from the detailed responses. After hour of give-and-take, he again took up the microphone and expressed his delight and appreciation of the avreichim geonim. However, he departed from his prepared remarks and declared:

“In yesteryear, it was just a dream that Yiden would be knowledgeable of the entire Shas, and in detail. Here, today, we see so many avreichim being tested orally on the entire Shas.”

“You clearly are causing great satisfaction before Hakadosh Baruch Hu (the Holy One, Blessed Is He), and this is a great zechus for all of the Jewish people.” And then he added “It should be known that anyone who studies and knows Shas is covered by a certain aura – the light of the Shechina. Ashreichem v’ashrei chelkechem – Praised are you all and your portion – even the malochim (angels) on High envy you all.”

To see more farhers of Shas Yiden and for more information please click on www.shasyiden.com

Shas Yiden geonim being tested, ‘firing’ answers at a blinding rate

Kislev 5784 – The Pavilion Hall, Yerushalayim. The Shas Yiden Kolel Network under the leadership of the Pozna Rov, Hagaon Harav Avrohom Halevi Eisen, shlit”a, conducts a public farher on the entire Shas. 

Something in the lighting of the hall ‘seemed to be different’. While we are used to various effects, but never sparkling eyes of the people on the stage. So how are their eyes sparkling so? How can one ask them? To interrupt them from their Torah learning, just to ask them?

Even in the minutes before the beginning of the farher, the candidates are all sitting on the stage and reviewing Talmud. They just don’t waste a minute. In front of each is a microphone which will soon carry their answers. To try and find someone who is sitting idle? There is no likelihood of that.

That’s just how it is! Anyone who can find that he has free time is not one who can learn, review and be tested on the entire Shas. The concept of utilizing time, down to the minute, appears to be embedded in their DNA! These are people who, even when standing in a bus, have a sefer in their hands and are learning, all the more so, when they are sitting in optimal conditions as at the Pavilion Hall, they will not waste a minute …

The Two Examiners Enter the Hall

They are: Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Peretz Berman, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva of Ponevez, and Maran Hagaon Harav Yisroel Bunim Schreiber, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva of Nesiv Hadaas. 

At the one end of the hall is a group of ‘American looking’ young men – sons of Shas Yiden supporters and donors and their young yeshiva friends. A few of them “looked and were ‘smitten’. They had attended a Shas Yiden farher and ‘were bitten’ by the Shas learning bug and had committed themselves to learning Shas. As for joining the family business back home in the USA, they gave heed to the saying “מרבה נכסים מרבה דאגה” (Gathering possessions increases worries) and left that to their brothers … 

Amazing Joy

One of the attendees asked, “Did you notice what was the common denominator of all the Shas Yiden sitting in the three rows across the stage?” He glanced quickly and said, “The joy that can be seen on all of their faces and in their sparkling eyes.” Was there a security guard allowing only happy avreichim to enter?

Rav Bunim commented immediately: Maran Harav Yechezkel Abramsky, zt”l, said “It is written that “תלמידי חכמים מרבים שלום בעולם” (Talmidei chachomim bring about much peace in the world). What does this mean? How does this work? Very simple: the beginning of any dispute is rooted in the fact that someone is not happy or is dis-satisfied. When a person is not satisfied, he makes sure that his surroundings are also not satisfied… 

However, talmidei chachomim are satisfied. It is good for them through the Torah that they learn. Thus, around them things and the atmosphere are good and, thus, they bring about peace in the world. What kind of Talmid Chacham is satisfied and has good? Mishlei (15:23) establishes that joy is located “בְּמַעֲנֵה פִיו”. A Talmid Chacham who has his learning clear, he is a joyous and happy person!

Trying to Trash His Laptop

Hearing these words clarified an incident at a previous Shas Yiden farher. An askan from one of the Shas Yiden kolelim noticed out of the corner of his eye, that a journalist who had once learned in yeshiva, was busy at a garbage bin at the end of the hall. To his amazement, the journalist appeared to be trying to trash his laptop! Apparently, he had been overcome by the prowess of the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim that he had just witnessed, and was readying himself to change his life and to ‘jump into the waters of the Talmud’ and to devote himself to study Shas…

One of the attendees commented, “I concede that I am not on the level of that journalist, but I am still sensitive enough not to even attempt to interrupt the Shas Yiden from their learning, even if just to ask them a question or two.  This, even though I really, really wanted to get to know them and ascertain the secret of their sparkling eyes. They had gathered here at the Pavilion from far and near and here they were like one tight unit. I am certainly not the one to try come between them!” 

So, the same individual found a place on the side, and waited patiently to ‘hunt down’ a Shas Yid who would walk by before the banquet to a washing station, with the thought that he will use the couple of minutes to hear something…

* Hagaon Harav Bunim Schreiber, shlit”a: Over 100 avreichim, outstanding geonim who know every place in Shas, responded clearly and without any hesitation. Here, in front of me, I see tens of thousands of bletter Gemora – Ashreichem!

* Hagaon Harav Chaim Peretz Berman, shlit”a, exclaimed: I was astonished to see that, aside from their amazing knowledge of Shas, the avreichim defended their knowledge throughout Tosafos and Rashi, Rishonim and Acharonim and also the Yerushalmi – it was simply remarkable

* Hagaon Harav Aryeh Leib Shapira, shlit”a, remarked to the wives of the avreichim geonim: “You are each zoche in helping develop a living sefer Torah in your home. Not every wife has such a zechus!

The Shas Yiden Kolel network held its 15th Annual Farher & Siyum Hashas for its 121 avreichim geonim at the Pavillion Hall, Yerushalayim. This was a grueling farher (examination) on the entire Shas that exceeded all previous examinations, as Shas Yiden has extended its scope and regimen to include all the Tosafos and Rashis, as well as Rishonim and Acharonim and the Talmud Yerushalmi. They answered with amazing clarity and acuity, that had, on previous occasions, left Maranan Gedolei Yisroel amazed at their incredible knowledge and recall.

This special gathering was the annual Siyum Hashas. It was also the opportunity for the avreichim from all the Shas Yiden kollelim across Eretz Yisroel to gather and to be tested collectively. This full-on Shas farher was a culmination of their written tests throughout the year – weekly on some 50 daf, monthly on 225 daf, quarterly on some 700 daf, and annually on the entire Shas. Stipends awarded for the monthly, quarterly and annual tests are calculated in terms of their scores.

They Know Every ‘Nook and Cranny’ in Shas
After the farher, all gathered in the adjacent hall. Among the invitees every year are Gedolei Torah who are happy to come and witness the incredible phenomenon of the Shas Yiden geonim, who amaze all with their prowess across the length and breadth of Shas. Each year they display loftier and loftier heights, and their knowledge is even more sharpened and broader than they were in the previous year. So commented Rav Bunim Schreiber. He had tested the Shas Yiden four years ago. Already, on that occasion, he was taken with their incredible knowledge. Now, he came to examine them a second time. He could not hide his amazement at the exceptional growth of knowledge and the sharpness of the Shas Yiden geonim. Just a few years earlier they had already attained great heights, and now they have overshadowed their previous accomplishments. In his letter to the Pozna Rov, founder of Shas Yiden, after the farher, he describes the Shas Yiden avreichim as “incredible avreichim geonim who know every single place in Shas… clearly and without any hesitation.

Similarly, Rav Chaim Peretz declared that this was the first time that he came so close-up to the incredible knowledge of the Shas Yiden geonim. In his letter of brocha that he penned after the farher, he wrote with great emotion: “I was so amazed to see, aside from their incredible knowledge in Shas, how they defended their knowledge in Tosafos, Rishonim and Acharonim, as well as in the Yerushalmi – it was just amazing” 

Your Great Level
After the farher, all present moved to the adjacent banquet hall for the Siyum Hashas. The wives of the avreichim, who play an integral part in the success of their husbands, were especially honored. They enable their husbands to be able to devote their time to learning, and they ensure that the circumstances in the home are conducive to the learning – a fully integrated family effort of support. They, their families and other talmidei chachomim all joined in the great simcha. 

The guest speaker was the Ponevez mashgiach, Hagaon Harav Aryeh Leib Shapira, shlit”a. He mentioned that during Chol Hamoed Succos, he watched a video of a Shas Yiden farher and “I just sat in the sukkah and cried. My eishes chayil asked why I was crying? I responded, pointing to the farher, Look at what’s happening here. See just how Yiden are so completely knowledgeable in the entire Shas and I shouldn’t cry?” He turned to the Shas Yiden avreichim – “I saw you being tested and responding with every reference in Shas, and with such incredible clarity. There I sat feeling woe to my embarrassment! The kin’as sofrim (jealousy of scholars) that I experienced will not increase my chochma,” he said with all modesty, “because I will never be able to rise to your great level.”

Rav Shapira then turned to the tables of the Shas Yiden wives. “Each of you should know that in your homes, you are living with a lebedike (living) sefer Torah! Very few and exceptional wives merit this. Ashreichen (Praised are you all)! You ensure that your homes are conducive for such learning and your children follow your stellar examples.” The Pozna Rebbetzin greeted each of the wives and presented each with a gift cash envelope as a token of the deep-felt appreciation of the Shas Yiden Hanhallah. In addition, they also receive packages in the form of a sefer Torah filled with nosh for each of their children. 

Avreichim Speak
Representatives of the avreichim geonim also addressed the gathering. They acknowledged that they had managed to reach the exceptional level of Torah knowledge due to program and regimen of Shas Yiden and the motivator who stands at the helm – the Pozna Rov, Harav Avrohom Halevi Eisen. He had been very close to the late Maran Sar Hatorah, רשכבה”ג, Hagaon Hagadol Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, who was the Nasi of Shas Yiden and Rav Eisen’s patron, as well as other Gedolei Hador, and received their guidance and encouragement. 

Rav Chaim encouraged the study program and regimen that has been developed at Shas Yiden that has certainly raised the bar of Torah learning and enables the Shas Yiden to rise to the level of all-encompassing knowledge of the entire Shas, with sharpness and clarity that had been demonstrated at the farher.

The avreichim told, each in his own way, of the incredible study load that is on their shoulders to be able to keep up with the regimen. Even one who was recently blessed with a son, or another who was marrying off a child, or even an avreich who was not feeling well with a cold or feels weak – bottom line, they cannot allow themselves to miss even one day of the study. They will just have to make up all that they had missed even from one day of study, which translates into 45 daf! Namely, 9 ‘fresh’ daf with all the Rashis and Tosafos, PLUS 4 full revisions of those daf! The regimen is very compressed. Thus, missing one or more days can translate into weeks required to catch up.  

“I am not a masmid – I have tests.”

One of the avreichim who joined Shas Yiden two years ago, mentioned that a friend from the past asked him “What happened to you? How did you become such a masmid (an intense scholar)?” I responded: “I am not a masmid – I have tests.” Simply, yesterday I had a test on 200 daf of Gemora. Next week I’ve got a test on 500 daf and, in between, I’ve got a test on another 50 daf. And then, at the end of the next week, I will have a test on another 50 daf. So, I am simply so busy with studying for the tests and, without noticing, I find myself learning every available minute…”

According to him: “This is the greatest gift that somebody could give me ever – to change me into an a masmid. And who did this? The head of Shas Yiden, the Pozna Rov, and that is why we are so indebted to him with all our hearts.”

Entire Sukkah on Motzoei Yom Kippur
Another avreich mentioned that he lives in the small town Meitzad. There we were sitting on the night after Yom Kippur, and two Yiden were very quickly going through the Gemora Sukkah, from beginning to end. In response to questions from others watching them, they said that the previous year after Yom Kippur, they had watched one of the citizens, an avreich at Shas Yiden who studied maseches Sukkah through the night. They learned from his example how to achieve great accomplishments if you have the correct will. And so, after the meal on the night after Yom Kippur they sat and studied Sukkah until 5 a.m. to fulfill the dictum ” מחיל אל חיל – go from strength to strength” as immediate preparation for the Festival of Sukkos four days later. 

Simchas Hatorah
The banquet was enhanced by inspiring music of a talented orchestra, and singers giving beautiful renditions. All joined in with song and dance for the honor and glory of the Torah and לומדיה (its scholars), who immerse themselves in the study of Torah. It is clear that wherever the Shas Yiden Kollelim are to be found, the quality and motivation to learn Torah is raised on high.

On Tuesday, 2nd Cheshvan (October 17), an event took place quietly, simply and without fanfare in Flatbush, but which will reverberate throughout the Torah world. The Shas Yiden Kollel Network of Eretz Yisroel has inspired hundreds to toil at mastering Shas and to complete the study annually. Its website with live recordings of farheren (public oral testing) on all parts of Shas have become a must-view for talmidei chachomim, yungerleit and yeshiva bochrim all over. (www.shasyiden.com)

Modest and Strong
For years now, ever since the prowess of Shas Yiden became known and appreciated, there have been many requests to open a Shas Yiden Kollel in New York. However, the focus was initially to develop a strong base of kollelim in Eretz Yisroel and then to venture out into the Jewish world. Rav Chaim’s brocha was first to aim at establishing 10 Shas Yiden kollelim. All the NY avreichim had qualified for acceptance through written and oral tests on hundreds of folios of Gemora. 

Present at the opening were the Founder of Shas Yiden, the Pozna Rov, Hagaon Harav Avrohom Eisen, shlit”a, and Rosh Hakollelim of the Shas Yiden Kollelim Network, Hagaon Harav Moshe Isaac Samet, shlit”a, who arrived days before from Israel. There were also a few of the Shas Yiden supporters and the 14 avreichim metzuyonim. There were two short addresses by Rav Eisen and Rabbi Samet, a short lechaim and Danishes, and then back to learning. Simply, there is no time to waste with such a schedule. Their official day is 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. Most begin their learning fartogs 4:30-8:00 am before davening, and then after returning home in the evening. 

The Concept
This simplicity of the gathering really reflects the concept behind Shas Yiden. There was no flashiness or excesses by those present, because the way of these talmidei chachomim is to delve into the texts with humble focus and without fanfare. They have dedicated themselves to years of Torah learning. There are no summer or winter bein hazmanim (vacations). Time off is only on Yom Tov and Chol Hamoed, and even then, it is only a reduction of half the study load per day. 

Rav Eisen spoke about the small and tough beginnings of Shas Yiden; how people did not believe that he would achieve his goals; and that others would not support or entertain the idea that this incredible endeavor would get off the ground. Well, the proof is not only the success of Shas Yiden, but the wide support of Gedolei Torah across Eretz Yisroel and abroad. Rav Eisen thanked all present and welcomed the new avreichim metzuyonim ‘aboard’ and, most importantly, they should be aware that since its inception, Shas Yiden always paid the monthly stipends on time.

Rav Samet, recalled a visit some eight years earlier to New York. People could not even consider a gradual and solid development of Shas Yiden, let alone its stellar growth that has captured the imagination of the Torah world. That was the time when the Sar Hatorah had said that there should be 10 Shas Yiden kollelim. 

Changing the Torah Landscape
The opening of this new Kollel here in New York has been a major inspiration to the Shas Yiden kollelim and the supporters. The drive of the Shas Yiden avreichim was so different to anywhere else. They all know the lofty, but achievable, goals and the program and means required to achieve them. They monitor their own study schedules because, only too well, do they appreciate that if they fall behind, through the monthly exams it will soon be clear if they would continue to have a place to continue in the kolel. They all feel this exciting opportunity to be part of changing the Torah landscape in America, and which parallels what is being done at Shas Yiden Eretz Hakodesh. 

Hagaon Harav Avrohom Eisen, shlit”a, the Pozna Rov, is the Morah Dasrah of the Bais Hamedrash Levush Haora-Pozna (the Pozna  Shul) in Flatbush and the founder of the Shas Yiden Kollelim Network. Two weeks ago, Ari Hirsch from the Jewish Vues had the  honor and privilege to meet with the Rav upstate in his bungalow in Woodbourne, to discuss many different topics including a very big  announcement about Shas Yiden.

By Rabbi Eliezer Sandler

The six Shas Yiden kollelim, including the London UK kollel, with their 102 geonim metzuyonim recently gathered in Yerushalayim for a ‘block buster’ farher. It was nothing short of amazing as shown in the links below. The astonishment on everyone’s lips was “How do they do it? How can anyone know the entire Shas, let alone the page numbers and on which line? And so many of them, all at once!?” Maranan Hagaonim shlit”a, Harav Yitzchak Shaul Kanievsky and Harav Nissan Kaplan put the Shas Yiden to the test.

“The Kanievsky Farher” (https://shasyiden.com/farher/ Farher 2023 Kanievsky)

Maran Hagaon Harav Yitzchak Shaul Kanievsky, shlit”a, has followed his father’s footsteps in testing the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim. The farher is indicative of the vastness of the Shas Yiden knowledge. Even though he has farhered the Shas Yiden previously and has sat in on his father’s farheren, Rav Yitzchak Shaul expressed his appreciation of their prowess is no less than did his illustrious father.

“The Kaplan Farher” (https://shasyiden.com/farher/  Farher 2023 Kaplan)

Maran Hagaon Harav Nissan Kaplan, shlit”a, Rosh Hayeshiva Daas Aaron, presented the Shas Yiden with a plethora of detailed questions from across the entire Shas. The responses were a veritable tsunami of yedias Torah she’b’al peh. The thorough enjoyment of the avreichim geonim was clear. Their toiling in limud Hatorah was appreciated by the crowd that was present. 

“Reb Meilech Biderman”

A rare treat for all present was Maran, Hamashpia Hagadol, ‘Reb Meilech’ Biderman, shlit”a. His speech was both dramatic and riveting. He emphasized the accomplishment of the Shas Yiden and the incredible contribution that they are making to the Torah world. They have certainly raised the bar and revolutionized limud haShas. The ebb and flow of his words highlighted the greatness of Torah that the avreichim geonim were all achieving. 

Incredible Accomplishment

In just 14 years, through the Shas Yiden Kollel Network, the ability to know Gemorah and Rishonim in detail, and the concept of being a metzuyan has taken a giant leap forward. To be accepted at Shas Yiden, each avreich metzuyan is expected to know and be tested on 450 blatt! Following a most demanding curriculum and regimen, studying 9 blatt a day – five times – and with every Rashi and Tosfos, they will know the entire Shas. All this will be further honed to ensure mastery of the entire Talmud down to which page and line the matter can be found. 

No Vacation Days – Not even Shabbos and Yom Tov

Yes, the Shas Yiden avreichim are required to learn every day of the year. The only easing of the regimen is that the amount to be accomplished on Shabbos and Yom Tov and the days preceding them is that the quantity is halved. To ensure that no one falls behind there are regular questions to be answered and every month they all undergo written examinations of 225 blatt! Gedolei Torah have remarked that never, since the creation of the Talmud by Ravina and Rav Ashi, has there been such a demanding curriculum for an entire student body – from the great academies in Babylon and through to Europe and Ashkenaz. And this applies to each of the Shas Yiden kollelim. It is no wonder that the Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Hagadol Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, loved hearing, testing and speaking to the Shas Yiden avreichim when they would squeeze into his home to be tested on the length and breadth of Shas. Invariably, with his broad smile he would declare, Zei kennen Shas! (They know Shas!)

Siyum Shas Yiden UK (https://shasyiden.com/galleries/ Siyum London 2023)

Recently a Siyum Hashas was held by Shas Yiden UK and was graced by the presence of Maran Hagaon, Hamekubal Harav Yaakov Meir Shechter from Eretz Yisroel. 

To watch the dynamic farheren, or for more information on Shas Yiden, or to donate click on www.shasyiden.com or call 718-702-1528 or Mail: 1274 49th Street #562, Brooklyn, NY 11219. London: UK Registered Charity # 1191225 – 2 Timberwharf Road, London N16 6DB, England or call 0208-066-1566