Maintaining a practice established several years ago, HaRav Hershel Schachter, shlita, the distinguished Rosh Yeshiva and Rosh Kollel of Yeshiva University, visited each of the Yeshiva University High School for Boys (MTA) 9th grade Shiurim to offer words of welcome and beginning of the year inspiration to the newest group of MTA talmidim. Accompanied by Head of School, Rabbi Kahn and introduced by Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Taubes, Rav Schachter described how the yeshiva has its roots in the great Torah centers of Europe in which many of the customs and practices still observed today were established, and how the students should therefore realize that they themselves have now become part of an incredible and important tradition. He then told the boys that he himself entered this very high school shortly after his Bar Mitzvah and was able to take advantage of the many great Talmidei Chachamim who taught and learned here over the years. He urged the students to do the same and to capitalize on as many of the wonderful opportunities for Torah growth available here as they possibly can in order to achieve maximum success in their learning. It was a great privilege for the freshmen to meet and hear from somebody recognized throughout our communities as one of today’s true Gedolei HaDor.