On Sunday afternoon 17 Elul-14 September, the sun was shining
as the full glory of the new quarters of Yeshivas Shaarei
Torah became apparent.
In an emotionally-charged droshoh, HaRav M M
Schneebalg, rov of Machzikei Hadas Community, recalled fond
memories of a similar occasion at his yeshiva in Europe when
he was a bochur. Addressing the question of why build
such an aesthetically pleasing edifice, he answered that
since asidin botei kneisiyos libonos be'Eretz Yisroel,
so as to avoid future embarrassment they must be up to
standard. He expressed how he felt very personally involved
with the yeshiva and as such was able to give a truly
heartfelt brochoh for its continued
hatzlochoh.
The ma'amad was also graced with the presence of HaRav
Eliezer Kahaneman, one of the roshei yeshiva of Ponevezh
Yeshiva, who told the story of how his grandfather, when he
came collecting to England, came into contact with HaRav Elya
Lopian zt'l who conducted a Goral Hagro which
indicated that he should visit South Africa. He went there
and had a very successful visit.
Following the memorable and inspiring Chanukas Habayis
ceremony, as the sun was descending below the horizon, over
700 well-wishers went to the De Vere Hotel conference center.
Here, the purpose was self evident: to further the cause of
limud haTorah be'iyun and to increase kvod
Shomayim.
Though it was a dedication dinner aimed towards the future,
it was as well a celebration of the dedication of a few men
of vision who had undertaken to work against the odds and to
make concrete their dream: to build a magnificent Ponevezh-
type yeshiva in Manchester.
HaRav Simchah Bamberger commenced the proceedings with great
panache, welcoming all those who felt connected to the
yeshiva who had travelled from far and wide, and by quoting
the Sfas Emes who says that although, "Lo baShomayim Hi,"
Chazal say that if Torah were in Shomayim we would have
to go there to fetch it, and this exemplifies, like the
present affair, the mesiras nefesh that is required to
receive the Torah.
He also noted it states that if a person tries his utmost to
set up the infrastructure necessary for a mokom Torah,
then success will follow besiyata deShmaya.
Recognition and appreciation of mesiras nefesh for
Torah was directed particularly towards the Rosh Yeshiva
HaRav Gavriel Knopler's fundraising endeavors by Mr. Gross,
Chairman of the Building Committee, who praised the Rosh
Yeshiva's "mal'ach Hashem Tzevokos" qualities.
As the Rosh Yeshiva rose to speak, a message was received
concerning the imminent arrival of the rosh yeshiva of the
biggest mokom Torah in the world, HaRav Nosson Tzvi
Finkel of the Mir in Jerusalem, and so we were all put on
standby for a few minutes. Soon after, the hall, uplifted
with genuine emotion, arose to welcome the Rosh Yeshiva and
his entourage.
When all were settled, HaRav Gavriel went on to comment that
although sometimes the nature of a simchah is dubious,
tonight there could be no doubt that it was appropriate to
quote the posuk, "Zeh hayom ossoh Hashem nogiloh
venismechoh Vo: beHashem uveToraso.
The guest of honor, the philanthropist Mr. Leo Noe who rarely
accepts such an honor, explained why tonight was different.
He described his philosophy and why he chose to donate to
Yeshivas Shaarei Torah, noting both its ability to bring out
the best from every bochur, as well as its role in
preparing leaders for the wider community, hence ensuring the
communication and adoption of Hashem's blueprint for the next
generation. He suggested that the splendorous chitzoniyos
of the Yeshiva was meramez to the pnimius
of those involved.
An unmistakable electrifying silence pervaded the atmosphere
as the holy Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva began speaking words of
chizuk, penetrating and melting every heart present.
The yissurim he experiences were obvious to all, and
the greatest chizuk was perhaps how he was continuing
his own avodas Hashem.
The next speaker during the sumptuous four-course meal was
Mr. Clive Marks, one of the trustees of the Lord Ashdown
trust, who mentioned the sobering fact that about 70 percent
of UK Yidden are unable to even lein Krias Shema nor
have any of them heard of gemora. It was his hope that
institutions such as the Yeshiva would be key instruments in
reversing the trend.
A highlight of the evening was when HaRav Nota Schiller, rosh
yeshivas Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem, entertained the audience
with his wit and wisdom. He lauded the caliber of the
numerous students of the Yeshiva who had attended his
yeshiva's Ohr Lagolah programs. Emphasizing the vital
importance and our responsibility of passing on to the next
generation the experience of arevus Hatorah, he said
that when deliberating a person should imagine how he would
pasken for his own son, bypassing the influences of
his own short term needs and negios.
As the evening drew to a close, there was a video montage
revolving around the history and life of the yeshiva which
captivated everyone's heart (rather like the music and
angelic singing performance did throughout the evening) and
which incidentally was made by a young man from the US who
had previous experience in film production and who also
happens to frequent the Yeshiva.
Every aspect of the evening testified to the fact that no
expense or effort had been spared in order to make this
celebratory dinner the success that it turned out to be, the
logistics of which were presided over by Mr. Gabi Rechnitzer
and his team.
Reb Gavriel, in his remarks, contrasted Chazal's time, when
only one out of a thousand became a rov, to now when almost
everyone tastes success. He recalled the Ponevezher Rov's
saying that in the past the world followed its natural
course, whereas nowadays yeshiva life proceeds lemaaloh
miderech hateva.
A poignant moment occurred when Reb Shia Ozer Halpern
presented Mr. Gross with an exquisite model of the new
buildings made of solid silver.
It was unquestionable that Yeshivas Shaarei Torah, having
spent 20 years in preparation for Sunday's big day, will now,
be'eizer Hashem, live, work and grow happily ad
bi'as Goel in their new abode.
