Dirshu’s Event for Bachurim Entering Yeshiva Gedolah a Resounding Success

“Every bachur must realize that he was created to serve Hashem according to the abilities that Hashem gave him. Not every person has the same ability as his friend. A bachur who does not look over his shoulder at his friend will feel content and thus able to ascend to become a talmid chacham and a yarei shamayim!”

Those heartfelt words of HaGaon HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman, shlita, were read publicly at Dirshu’s remarkable kinus for bachurim entering Yeshiva Gedolah this past Thursday. Rav Shteinman was scheduled to personally address the event, but was precluded by his weakness. Nevertheless, he sent a signed, dated letter to be read aloud with advice for the bachurim.

The massive kinus attracted more than 1,700 bachurim who filled the two large Armanot Chein Hall’s to hear divrei chizuk in advance of their upcoming transition from Yeshiva Ketanah (high school age) to Yeshiva Gedolah (beis medrash).

They were addressed by numerous Gedolei Yisrael, including HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein, shlita, senior Rosh Yeshiva at the Ponovezh Yeshiva, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka, HaGaon HaRav Uri Weisblum, shlita, Mashgiach of Yeshiva Nachlas Haleviim, HaGaon HaRav Naftali Nussbaum, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Chayei Moshe and Rav Dovid Hofstedter, Nasi of Dirshu.

Understanding the Transition, the Growth and the Pitfalls

Rabbi Nati Weingarten of Dirshu, a primary organizer of the event, related, “I can’t even describe how motivated bachurim were to come hear guidance from the Gedolim this year. Although I only put signs up in major Jewish centers, bachurim from yeshivos all over the country, from Kiryat Ata and Haifa in the North to Tifrach and Ofakim in the South and so many places in between, felt compelled to come. They knew this event could make a marked difference in their lives and in their ability to transition properly from the very controlled environment of Yeshiva Ketanah to the more mature, seemingly open environment of Yeshiva Gedolah.”

A Rebbi… for Life

Rav Dovid Hofstedter gave a comprehensive Torah address connecting the Nine Days of mourning over the churban with the evening’s goal for chizuk haTorah and achdus. Rav Hofstedter then explained the Mishnah in Avos where Rav Yehoshua Ben Perachia enjoins, “Make yourself a Rav”. “Rav Yehoshua Ben Perachia lived in difficult times when the heretical Beisusim were wreaking havoc on Klal Yisrael. He said a person must have a Rebbi to whom he attaches himself, who will not only teach him Torah and halacha but will give him day-to-day guidance in life and in yiras shamayim. “Today too,” said Rav Hofstedter passionately, “we live in a difficult world. If a bachur wants to succeed in Torah and avodas Hashem, he must attach himself to a Rebbi in all ways – in lomdus, halacha and mussar. He must honor his Rebbe.”

Rav Dovid continued, “Before the war my father’s Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Shmuel Schwartz, zt”l, would preface each shiur with a shiur in Chovos Halevavos. After a few minutes of learning the mussar, Rav Schwartz would break down and begin to weep. With great effort he composed himself and went on with the shiur. A Rebbi is a person from whom you receive guidance not only in lomdus but in every area of life.”

A Fresh Start

Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsh, Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka related, “The first thing a bachur should know is that on Rosh Chodesh Elul, you will be making what might be the most transformative change of your life. One’s entire life is built on the foundation that you make in Yeshiva Gedolah.” Rav Hirsh gave guidance in several areas. “Firstly,” he said “a bachur must know that while being more independent can help one grow, it is also a nisayon. To pass this nisayon, he must realize that in the overwhelming majority of cases his Rosh Yeshiva and Mashgiach understand better.”

Another important point Rav Hirsh made, is that Yeshiva Gedolah is a fresh slate! Even someone who was not so successful in Yeshiva Ketanah is empowered to make a fresh start and should come in with great she’ifos.

After Rav Binyamin Birenzweig read the important guidance from Rav Shteinman, Rav Naftoli Nussbaum, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Chayei Moshe spoke. He stressed the importance of remaining a ben Torah even when not in Yeshiva and how important it was for every bachur to learn and know practical halacha.

As the bachurim were exiting, Rav Nati Weingarten remarked, “The achdus here is phenomenal. Over 1,700 bachurim – Litvishe, Sephardic, Chassidic, all the same age coming to hear guidance from Gedolei Yisrael. This is Dirshu! Enhancing limud haTorah for all Yidden of all ages and affiliations!”

Editor’s Note: The above is sponsored content provided by Dirshu.