On Shabbat Parshat Noach, Rabbi Baruch Pesach Mendelson’s Yeshiva University High School for Boys’ (MTA) shiur partook of their first “In Shabbos” of the year. The purpose of the “In Shabbos” is first and foremost to spend Shabbat with the shiur engaged in Talmud Torah on the Yeshiva University campus and in the Beit Medrash, the ideal atmosphere for an inspiring Shabbat and personal growth. The talmidim in the shiur experienced what Shabbat in yeshiva was like: the meals, the zemirot, the divrei Torah and, of course, the meaningful and intense learning.
Between Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv, the students had the privilege to hear from YU Rosh Yeshiva HaRav Yitzchok Cohen, shlita, who spoke of the importance of treating one’s efforts in learning as if it is one’s entire world; talmidim must own the learning to gain from it. The shiur carried this message into the Glueck Beit Midrash immediately following the first Shabbat seudah, engaging in serious Talmud Torah in preparation for their upcoming bechinah. The learning continued for close to three hours with unwavering intensity and genuine “ameilus baTorah.” Following this, a special tisch was held in Muss Hall, led by their rebbe, Rabbi Mendelson. The singing was wholehearted and the atmosphere even warmer than the subsequent cholent. The talmidim heard a dvar Torah from senior Yair Caplan (’17), who spoke about the value of the Shabbats in a yeshiva and particularly the “In Shabbosim.” The talmidim then heard a dvar Torah from their rebbe about Parshat Noach and the need to establish a Beit Midrash for oneself. The tisch ended with everyone standing up and interlocking their arms for the last few songs together with their rebbe. At the end of the program, some opted to go to sleep, but most returned to the Beit Midrash further inspired by the divrei Torah to conclude their Friday night steeped in learning Torah.
On Shabbat morning, the shiur davened shacharit with the yeshiva, and made their own kiddush, with scrumptious rugelach and orange juice. During kiddush, the shiur heard from YU Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Baruch Simon, shlita, who spoke of the importance of every single word of Torah. The shiur then ate Shabbat lunch with Yeshiva University students, which again featured wonderful zemirot and a powerful dvar Torah. The talmidim once again carried their inspiration back to the Beit Midrash, where they sat and learned throughout the afternoon. The boys questioned one another and their rebbe, helped one another and, most importantly, learned together.
All of the boys in the shiur truly enjoyed this Shabbat with their rebbe in yeshiva, and hope to carry the messages from HaRav Cohen and HaRav Simon far into the future, enlightening the yeshiva with their Torah on the way.
By Noam Putterman
