Masses of Jews flocked to participate in the Central Simchas Beis Hashoeva on Tues., Chol Hamoed Succos, which took place in the Beis Medrash of the Mashgiach, HaRav Don Segal.
By nine o'clock, thousands of people from all over the country already filled Rechov Givat Moshe. The event was to be broadcast alive in a close circuit system in the Beis Medrash and the surrounding packed area. Among the participants were distinguished Torah figures, many roshei yeshiva, noted Torah disseminators, honored supporters and organizers of the Keren Olam HaTorah and chessed organizations, alongside prominent public figures from the entire gamut of chareidi Jewry.
The event, enhanced by the accompaniment of Yissochor Beri's soulful music and song, and the public's emotional vocal participation, was initially scheduled to last an hour and a half, but actually flowed on for over two full hours as the crowd was moved to express their overwhelming praise, thanksgiving and arousal to Hashem.
The rousing decibels were suddenly hushed when the Mashgiach, HaRav Don Segal, began his timely message of guidance and spiritual reinforcement.
"Simchas Beis Hashoeva is not merely a means for celebration and song. Rather, it is an expression of the longing and yearning of the Jewish people for the Ultimate Redemption and the Rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash. Song is a spiritual thing, even though it is expressed through the mouth and word. Notwithstanding, as the Chovos Halevovos maintains, speech is the pen of the heart and the emissary of the conscience. But song is even a notch higher than speech, as the Kuzari notes, regarding the Leviim, and their song-service in the Beis Hamikdash; they were indeed the most revered and holy people of our nation. What was the nature of their service there? Through song, to teach us the significance of 'sing to Him, chant to Hií"
The assembled then began reciting the Shir Hamaalos psalms, accompanied by rousing singing. In the middle, the Mashgiach halted it with an added poignant message:
"It is stated: You have chosen us from among all the nations. The question is asked: Who are all of these nations? They are lowly and insignificant. Why do we boast of this? The answer is that we boast having been chosen by Hashem Himself, but also that He transformed us to become a Chosen people, which demands a different, more exalted dimension of thanksgiving and appreciation."
He continued: "We are threatened with annihilation with each generation, but Hashem rescues us from the hands [of our enemies] time and again. The meaning here is that there are many ways of our being persecuted, different in each generation. We surely experience this in our times as well, through the various edicts passed against Torah scholars and against Torah itself. The redeeming axiom in each situation is that 'Hashem rescues us from their hands.'"
At this point, the Mashgiach raised his voice emphatically.
"The purpose of all the attempts to down-tread us is actually to fortify us, since it comes to prove that Torah study is like thorns in their very eyes. If Torah study was only negligible in their sight, they wouldn't even bother to harass us. Why would they even care? But apparently, they realize the truth; they understand the power of our Torah study. And this should, all the more, make us aware of it. 'We can become wise through our very enemies, and be fortified through them.' The more we strengthen ourselves, the greater will be our Heavenly assistance so that we merit to 'surmount the platforms of our enemies and raise our glory over all of our enemies."
