On August 7, the SAR Mishna Marathoners had a barbecue siyum celebrating the Mishna Yomit completion of Seder Nashim. The siyum was held at the Scher home in New Rochelle. Charles Scher explained that months ago he looked at the Mishna Yomit calendar. “I was really excited when I realized we could have a siyum and eat meat during the Nine Days,” he said.
Sarah Richter, SAR associate principal (Judaic studies) attended virtually from camp. Her remarks, delivered by Charles and his sister Gaby, began: “Mazal tov! Mazal tov! Wow! This is an incredible accomplishment! Some of you are completing your third seder of Mishnayot; that brings you halfway through Shisha Sidrei Mishna, a true Shecheyanu moment!
“I’d like you to know how especially meaningful your Torah learning is during these challenging times for our nation. The chizuk and zechuyot that you are providing is significant. May this siyum serve as a merit for the safety of our people and our land. … The last mishna of our masechet speaks about the advantages of learning Torah. The mishna teaches the benefits of learning Torah in your youth; this applies to all of you! If you hope and strive to come close to Hashem, you will renew your strength. This strength and commitment to Talmud Torah will carry you and benefit you for your whole entire life. My bracha to each of you is that you continue to stay in this lifelong marathon of Torah learning and continue to be strengthened by the Torah you learn. Check out the end of the last mishna in the masechet one more time. Hashem promises your learning will serve you very well!”
Rising eighth-grader Sydney Berger expressed, “Through Mishnah Yomit, I have foundations to find answers for life’s questions and challenges. … Let’s hope through our learning that we merit the release of all the hostages!”
Young Israel of New Rochelle Associate Rabbi Chaim Axelrod explained why we are allowed to eat meat at a siyum during the Nine Days. He relayed the answer of Rav Schachter, that the sadness that we have now is because we’re missing the Beit Hamikdash. There was korbanot (meat) and wine in the Beit Hamikdash. After the Beit Hamikdash was destroyed, the Gemara asks: Where is Hashem? He’s not in the Beit Hamikdash anymore; he’s in the Torah. “When you celebrate a Torah accomplishment, you are attaching yourself back to the presence of Hashem, like we are back in a mini Beit Hamikdash. Hashem is here in this siyum and, therefore, we can have meat and wine,” he said.
Before completing the final mishna, Rabbi Kenny Birnbaum, SAR High School faculty member, said: “Thank you to all of the children here who learn so well and so hard over these past couple of months. You inspire this learning for the adults in the room, and you’re giving us strength every day to continue with this learning; that’s really a blessing for us.”
Birnbaum summarized the last mishna: Sometimes, in life, people get very wealthy from their jobs, and sometimes people work very hard and it’s a little harder to make a living. At the end of the day, Rabbi Meir says we still have to do our Torah learning and mitzvot, because, in the end, everything comes from Hashem. “You guys are the ones who put in the time, who are connected to your learning, doing mitzvot and have your values in the right place.” The mishna continues: Rabbi Nehorai said of all the jobs of the world, I only teach my children Torah. We enjoy the reward of Torah in this world and in the world to come. There can come a time in your life when you can’t work, but Torah is not like that. Torah is forever, from your childhood, keeps you safe, guards you and gives you the right values.
In closing, Rabbi Axelrod exclaimed: “It’s a big accomplishment to all those who learned the mishnayos. To all those who haven’t yet learned the mishnayos, it’s an excellent opportunity. Tomorrow, Mishna Yomit begins Seder Nezikin.”
