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
“Let these lines be testimony regarding the honorable Rabbonim Geonim, the avreichim of the Shas Yiden Kollelim, led by Hagaon Harav Avrohom Halevi Eisen, shlit”a, Pozna Rov, that they are ba’alei trisin (protagonists of Torah study) and of noble middos. They visited with me, and I tested them with questions from throughout Shas (the Talmud). I was amazed at their incredible knowledge, and their study effort to delve through the entire Talmud every year in depth and all-encompassing proficiency. Happy is their portion and those who support and assist are full partners in the project. And all who come to support [Shas Yiden] will merit to see double the blessing from their livelihood and will be protected from the travails of the Messianic times. I bless them that they shall merit to bring greatness and glory to the Torah amidst tranquility and expansiveness of knowledge with brocho and hatzlocho (blessing and success) in all their efforts – Amen and may it be His will.Chaim Kanievsky