“You are the quintessential group that all of Klal Yisrael must emulate! In today’s world, everyone is running around helter-skelter. You lomdei Dirshu have it right! You are running every morning to learn Torah. It is simply mind-boggling to see a group of more than 70 baalei batim coming together each morning who are now making a siyum on the entire Seder Moed!” said Rav Aharon Feldman, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Ner Yisrael at a unique siyum held last week at Shaarei Zion in Baltimore.
The Dirshu Kollel in Baltimore is one of Dirshu’s largest baalei batim kollelim with more than 75 people attending daily at 5:50 a.m. to learn an amud of Gemara with a chavrusah. Reb Daniel Ely, the kollel’s indefatigable coordinator, says, “It is a large group, but we feel as close as family,” continues Rabbi Ely.
The kollel, which began in 2004, has been learning an amud a day ever since. Monthly tests on the material are taken by many of the participants. Thus, baalei batim who spend a large part of their day working, are still able to achieve great accomplishments in limud haTorah. Rav Aharon Feldman highlighted the fact that this group has remained bnei yeshiva, despite pursuing varied careers during the day. “What defines them is their love of Torah that they absorbed in yeshiva. That love of Torah carries over into their lives.”
The Nasi of Dirshu, Rav Dovid Hofstedter came to take part in what was described by Reb Ely as a historic siyum. Rav Hofstedter said that once upon a time in America baalei batim being koveia ittim l’Torah was not the norm. “Decades ago, my father, a Holocaust survivor who rebuilt everything from scratch, began a pre-Shacharis learning seder in his shul. There were many who ridiculed him, “You are spending time on a working day learning Torah?!” Setting aside time to learn was not understood back then and now look at what we have! 75 people coming every day before Shacharis to learn with accountability and culminating in this wonderful siyum on an entire seder! Just amazing!”
Rav Hofstedter quoted the Ramban in this week’s parsha. In speaking about the final geulah the Ramban writes, “[It will arrive] When the Bnei Yisrael will return to Hashem with all their hearts and souls and accept upon themselves and their future generations to do what I have commanded them… (Devarim, 30-2).” The Ramban is teaching us that we have to accept Hashem’s commandments upon ourselves. But how can we even know what Hashem’s commandments are if we do not regularly learn halacha l’maasah?
While Rav Hofstedter hailed the phenomenal accomplishment of finishing Seder Moed, he called on the assemblage and all Yidden to also take upon themselves an accountable daily seder in halacha such as Dirshu’s Daf HaYomi B’Halacha. “Adding a daily seder in halacha l’maaseh is the key to great bracha and yeshuah.”
“The Gerer Rebbe, shlita, recently told me that a person must learn and know Mishnah Berurah just to be able to live like a Yid according to halacha!” Now, when the program’s scheduled learning is the halachos of Sukkos, it is an especially auspicious time to join.
The event was attended by nearly 100 men and 70 women, who reveled in their husbands’ accomplishments. A window into the importance of the siyum could also be gleaned from the prestigious guests. In addition to the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Feldman, numerous local Rabbonim were in attendance including Rav Yosef Berger, Rav Eichenstein, Rav Mordechai Frankel, Rav Moshe Hauer, Rav Yaakov Hopfer, Rav Nesanel Kostelitz, Rav Jonathan Seideman and Rav Tzvi Weiss.
The last speaker was Rav Zvi Dov Slanger, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of the Mesivta of Baltimore where the Dirshu Kollel learns every morning. Rav Slanger one of Baltimore’s most venerated leaders is a survivor of the Holocaust and subsequently one of the early talmidim of the Ponovezh and Slabodka yeshivos in Eretz Yisroel. He said, “The famed Mashgiach, Rav Elya Lopian would arise early to learn every morning. He explained that the first se’if in the Shulchan Aruch enjoins us to wake up early before the day starts. After 120 years when they ask me if I kept the Shulchan Aruch, I don’t want to strike out on the very first se’if!”
As the crowd hurriedly dispersed there was a rushed sense of purpose. One misayem explained, “I have to get to sleep so I can be at the Dirshu Kollel at 5:50 a.m. We are starting Seder Nezikin! Dirshu never stops. Come visit in the pre-sunrise darkness and the resounding kol Torah will be music to your ears!”
By Chaim Gold
