Two Thursdays ago, to properly culminate a successful Freedom Week at Heichal Hatorah, the Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) chapter at Heichal commemorated the destruction of the Berlin Wall. The program began with a speech by Rav Aryeh Westreich describing the history and significance of the wall, with a main focus on the dangers of Communism and its contradiction with Torah values. Quoting rebbeim such as Rav Itzila Punivitzer, Rabbi Westreich explained the importance the Torah gives to individualism and proper society, both of which were undermined by Communism. He explained the significance of the Berlin Wall by contrasting the prosperity inside the Berlin Wall with the disparity of the surrounding Communist society. He capped off his speech by retelling of the famous destruction of the Wall, originally initialized by President Ronald Reagan, and actualized during November, 1989.

The program continued with Heichal talmidim knocking down a commemorative, model Berlin Wall, graciously sponsored by Heichal Rosh Yeshiva Rav Aryeh Stechler, and assembled by YAF members. The destruction of the eight foot wall of solid sheet-rock, decorated with graffiti of Communistic values, helped spread awareness of the evils of Communism and really encapsulated the purpose of Freedom Week, a week devoted to spreading the importance of Democracy throughout the yeshiva and properly informing talmidim about Communism.