With deep concern and prayers the Torah world is closely
following the condition of HaRav Moshe Shmuel Shapira
shlita, who underwent surgery in London on Tuesday
morning and is in need of great rachamei Shomayim.
Prayer gatherings were held all last week and shortly before
the surgery, Maran HaRav Eliashiv, HaRav Shteinman, HaRav
Lefkowitz and HaRav Wosner issued a notice calling on bnei
Torah to avoid all devorim beteilim during the
morning hours while the operation was taking place.
HaRav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz cited Droshoh 5 of the
Ran's droshos, which says the Torah's bounty for all
Am Yisroel comes through the pillars of the Torah, who
HaKodosh Boruch Hu planted in each and every generation
and through them bounty is bestowed on the entire generation.
Therefore we must gather our strength and pray for the
recovery of one of the true pillars of Torah on whom the
whole generation leans.
The notice reads, "In this emotional call we hereby turn to
those sitting in the tents of Torah everywhere, may Hashem
preserve them and keep them. Since the gaon and the crown of
the yeshivas, Maran the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Be'er Yaakov
R' Moshe Shmuel ben Mina Golda shlita Shapira is
undergoing a medical treatment and is in need of great
rachamei Shomayim we call [on the public] to increase
chizuk in matters that always need chizuk,
especially during the time of the medical treatment. May each
of us gird himself in Torah by avoiding all devorim
beteilim and devoting his verbal strength to Torah and
tefilloh."
There is no need to speak at length about the great merit of
Torah study with hasmodoh and shekidoh. The Rosh
Yeshiva of Yeshivas Be'er Yaakov, a descendent of the
rabbonim of Yeshivas Volozhin, constantly reminds us of the
power of Torah, the importance of learning uninterrupted and
repeats over and over again the teachings he received from
his grandfather, the Nefesh HaChaim, according to which Torah
study is the greatest seguloh for both the klal
and for individuals.
Just last year Yated Ne'eman published words of
chizuk HaRav Shapira delivered to a delegation of
rabbonim and leaders of US Jews of Syrian (Halab) descent
during a visit to his home to seek his blessings and counsel.
"People look for blessings and segulos for
yeshuoh," he told them. "They might help and they might
not, but the blessing he Torah promises will definitely help
as is written, `Bechol hamokom asher azkir es Shemi Ovo
eilecho uveirachticho' (Shemos 20:21). Where Hashem's name
is mentioned, that is where Bircas Hashem is found.
"The gemora in Yumo 28b says, `Avrohom Ovinu
zokein veyosheiv beyeshivoh . . . Yitzchok Ovinu zokein
veyosheiv beyeshivoh.' Rabbenu Chananel tells us `sitting
in yeshiva' means `the Shechinoh was with them.' He who
sits in yeshiva and engages in Torah--merits the indwelling
of the Shechinoh and the Shechinoh is with him.
The yeshiva is the place of the dwelling of the Shechinoh
in our generation and this is from the early days of the
yeshiva in Am Yisroel which have not stopped to this
day. Since the destruction of Beis Hamikdosh `HaKodosh
Boruch Hu has only the four amos of halochoh,' but
the holy yeshivas are the four amos of halochoh, and in
them and from them the Shechinoh dwells in Am
Yisroel."
Due to the gravity of the situation gedolei Yisroel
directed yeshivas and other Torah halls to recite Tehillim
after Shacharis and to improve their learning,
particularly during Seder Rishon when the surgery was
scheduled to take place. Students also gathered in all
talmudei Torah and schools to recite Tehillim.
Vaad Hayeshivos and Chinuch Atzmai distributed sheets in all
yeshivas and girls' schools and seminaries to be signed by
those prepared to accept a taanis dibbur during the
operation for the recovery of HaRav Moshe Shmuel ben Mina
Golda.
