Two Simultaneous Women’s Events to Pay Tribute to Neshei Dirshu
By Chaim Gold
For two nights next month, one of the storied, massive stadiums in Eretz Yisrael will undergo a remarkable transformation; a transformation that screams two words, “Kiddush Hashem.” Instead of a basketball game or secular concert, the arena will become a massive bais medrash graced by senior Gedolei Yisrael celebrating a new cadre of tens of thousands of new “Mishnah Berurah Yidden”: Yidden who have completed the entire Daf HaYomi B’Halacha cycle of all six chalakim of Mishnah Berurah.
As we are in the final weeks before completing the second machzor of Dirshu’s Daf HaYomi B’Halacha daily Mishnah Berurah learning program, all eyes are focusing on the Mifal HaPayis Arena Stadium in Yerushalayim. Yidden the world over and especially lomdei Dirshu in Eretz Yisrael are greatly anticipating the two events to be held on Thursday, 9 Adar I/February 10 and again, two nights later on Motzoei Shabbos, 11 Adar I/February 12 at the same venue. Why is Dirshu making two gala siyumim? To accommodate the massive crowds! There is simply no indoor venue large enough to accommodate the tens of thousands who seek to attend the Siyum and celebrate the ultimate simchas haTorah of the distinguished lomdei Dirshu, together with so many fellow Yidden.
On the same two nights there will be simultaneous special events for Neshei Dirshu, the heroic Dirshu wives who will gather at the Keter Harimon Hall in Bnei Brak on Thursday and at the Binyanei Haumah Convention Center on motzoei Shabbos for two unique women’s programs that will feature selected livestreams from the Mifal HaPayis Arena.
Dirshu is Not Just a Program, it’s a Way of Life!
Why the major events? Dirshu isn’t just a program, it’s a way of life, an approach to life that makes limud haTorah paramount with verifiable yedias haTorah and yedias halacha the ultimate goal.
The senior Gedolei Yisrael from literally across the spectrum have recognize Dirshu’s contribution to the fulfilment of the Divine promise of ki lo sishochach m’pi zaro – that Torah will never be forgotten from Klal Yisrael. That is why they have always attend encouraged and addressed major Dirshu siyumim which are synonymous with phenomenal kavod haTorah and kavod for lomdei Torah.
Who can forget the previous World Siyum marking the completion of the first machzor of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha which was graced by the venerated senior Rosh Yeshiva of that time, HaGaon HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman who, despite his 100 years of age, not only came but expended the tremendous effort to address the siyum?!
At that siyum of the machzor rishon of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha, there was a hush as Rav Shteinman, in his soft voice, cited the Gemara that, “A gathering of tzaddikim is good for them and good for the world. A gathering of Reshaim is bad for them and bad for the world.” Rav Shteinman said forcefully, “It is good to make gatherings like this! They strengthen us all, especially in [difficult times] like this. In this zechus may all of us merit kol tuv!”
Indeed, gatherings such as the one that will take place in just two weeks serve to strengthen Klal Yisrael by the very virtue of the fact that those present merit to see the senior Gedolim of our time.
It is hoped that be’ezras Hashem, health permitting, the luminaries of today’s generation such as the Sar haTorah, Maran, HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita and the Zekan roshei yeshivos of our generation Maran HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein, shlita, will attend, as well as HaGaon HaRav Berel Povarsky, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Ponovezh. The venerated Sephardic Gaonim, HaGaon HaRav Shalom Cohen, shlita, and HaGaon HaRav Shimon Baadani, shlita, will also grace the gathering as well as the Gedolei Ho’admorim from Eretz Yisrael such as the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, shlita, the Sanzer Rebbe, shlita, and numerous others.
Dirshu is a Family Affair
In all truth, Dirshu is not just the domain of the lomed Dirshu. Being part of Dirshu has an impact on the entire family! The neshei Dirshu, the wonderful wives of those who participate in Dirshu’s program are an absolutely integral component in its success. It is they who hold down the home fort when their husbands are out learning, chazering and preparing for his bechinah. It is they who happily send and encourage their husbands to go and learn Daf HaYomi B’Halacha or other Dirshu programs, every day. It is also they who reap the benefits of the unique atmosphere of a Dirshu home, a home where Torah learning, Torah living and most importantly ahavas haTorah, reveling in the Torah is part and parcel of the very fabric of the home.
It is for this reason that Dirshu’s hanhalah led by its Nasi, Rav Dovid Hofstedter, shlita, has created a remarkable, live, simultaneous women’s program to coincide with the two World Siyumim at the Mifal HaPayis Arena stadium. Dirshu wives will gather at both the Keter Harimon Hall and at the large Binyanei Haumah Convention Center for two heartwarming, chizuk-infused siyumim that will feature unique programing for women. In addition to inspirational speakers, a most beautiful, tasteful musical performance will be held. Another highlight will be the testimonials of Dirshu wives sharing with their fellow Dirshu sisters how being part of Dirshu has impacted, enriched, and enhanced their lives. Throughout the evenings, the women will also get to participate in choice moments of the men’s siyum through a live-feed providing inspirational highlights such as the actual siyum or the entrance of the senior Gedolim.
Shabbos in… Vilna!
Meanwhile, this Shabbos Dirshu is slated to embark on its first in the series of World Siyumim, the European Siyum in Vilna, culminating in a gala Melava Malka Siyum.
The Vilna Shabbos was slated to be preceded on Thursday by a deeply moving tefillah gathering at the kever of the Chofetz Chaim in Radin where the Gedolei Yisrael and the entire assemblage pour out in tefillah on behalf of Klal Yisrael, begging Hashem that in the Chofetz Chaim’s merit, more and more Yidden should incorporate daily halacha into their lives.
The trip to Radin was by no means the only highlight. The historic Shabbos was to feature hundreds of Yidden led by the Rabbonim of Europe. Included was also a prominent delegation of Rabbanim and lomdei Dirshu from America.
Mazel tov Klal Yisrael!
Whether it is Europe or the multiple, Stadium-sized siyumim to be held in Eretz Yisrael, one thing is constant and consistent: lomdei Dirshu will derive tremendous chizuk from Gedolei Yisrael such as the Rosh Yeshiva of Chevron, HaGaon HaRav Dovid Cohen, shlita, the Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, shlita, the Vizhinitzer Rebbe, shlita, the Belzer Rebbe, shlita, the Sanzer Rebbe, shlita, HaGaon HaRav Shimon Baadani, shlita, HaGaon HaRav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Ateres Yisrael, HaGaon HaRav Shimon Galei, shlita, Hagaon HaRav Leizer Yehuda Finkel, shlita, HaGaon HaRav Binyomin Finkel, shlita, and so many others who have attended previous siyumim and who b’ezras Hashem, in good health will be able to attend the upcoming Siyum, to celebrate the fact that Yidden from across the world have brought Hashem into their lives by learning daily Halacha.
Mazel tov, lomdei Dirshu! Mazel tov Klal Yisrael!
