A very moving and uplifting event was celebrated last week in
Kiryat Sefer at the dedication of the new "Chanichei Yeshivas
Kol Torah Beis Medrash" with the participation of the Rosh
Hayeshiva, rabbonim of Kol Torah and its alumni.
The need for such a beis medrash has been felt for a
long time, to bring together the many alumni living in Kiryat
Sefer who yearn for the unique Kol Torah atmosphere which
they enjoyed in their formative years.
This urge found a resounding expression during the Yomim
Noraim when a group of avreichim initiated their own
minyan in the Kol Torah tradition. The success of this
minyan was so pronounced, that HaRav Boruch Shmuel
Hacohen Deutsch expressed it thus, "Whoever was here on Rosh
Hashonoh and Yom Kippur and saw the wonderful
davening, needs no explanation why it is so important
for the alumni talmidim to continue to maintain this
permanently."
As a result, it was decided to indeed open a beis medrash
all year round with the special Kol Torah atmosphere. And
in order to preserve that unique quality, it was decided to
adopt all of the takonos-regulations instituted by the
Rosh Yeshiva, Maran HaRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt'l
for the "Beis Medrash leChanichei Kol Torah of Bnei Brak" --
which was founded many years ago -- and thus capture and keep
the yeshiva atmosphere and character intact in Kiryat
Sefer.
The written Takonos initially establishing this
beis medrash were also signed by the Mashgiach, HaRav
Gedaliah Eiseman, and by the Rosh Hayeshiva who added in his
own hand (referring to himself), " . . . who is joyful in the
addition of a new mikdosh me'at which will provide
continuity in the spiritual elevation of the students of our
yeshiva in the proper spirit of the regulations of Maran
HaRosh Yeshiva ztvk'l..." He was joined by the
Mashgiach, HaRav Yitzchok Yeruchom Borodiansky and HaRav
Shmuel Deutsch.
The founding avreichim received an added boost from
the Mashgiach R' Gedaliah Eiseman, who received them with
exceptional graciousness and joy and inquired with great
interest about all the details concerning the establishment
of this beis medrash.
He even went beyond his usual practice and wrote an
especially warm letter of endorsement and congratulations: "I
hereby bless the alumni of our holy yeshiva in Kiryat Sefer
upon the establishment of the Beis Medrash Chanichei Yeshivas
Kol Torah. May Hashem turn this beis medrash into a
major center of Torah and tefilloh that draws to it
all the graduates of our yeshiva in the joint active
participation of prayers and Torah study sedorim. May
all the participants enjoy physical and material blessing,
thanks to this significant undertaking. May it be the
heavenly will that the Shechina reside in the works of
your hands and that you merit all the blessings stated in the
Torah, for good and for blessing all the days.
"Your everlasting friend,
Gedaliah Eiseman"
*
Much effort went into finding permanent quarters and this was
rewarded. The preparatory work was completed just recently
and the new beis hamedrash now stands ready for
occupancy. It is altogether a "residence that broadens a
person's awareness."
On erev Shabbos Parshas Vayechi, close to
candlelighting, the ceremony of kevias mezuzos took
place, officiated by the Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Moshe Yehuda
Schlesinger, as well as HaRav Shmuel Deutsch, both of whom
came to spend the Shabbos in Kiryat Sefer with the new
community in honor of this momentous occasion. The former
addressed the gathering between Kabolas Shabbos and
ma'ariv and graced the place with his honored presence
and was followed by a hearty greeting from the moro
de'asra, HaRav M. Kessler, who also honored it with his
participation.
The Shabbos services which took place with an impressive
turnout of former talmidim were followed by a festive
Melave Malka dedication meal. It was presided at the
dais by a prestigious roster of roshei yeshiva and
prominent rabbinical figures.
The occasion was opened with an offering of thanks to Hashem
followed by a recital of Tehillim led by R' Y. Korn,
rosh mesivta of Kol Torah's younger division. The
evening was chaired by R' A. Eliashiv, who noted the feeling
of one-big-family shared by all the Kol Torah alumni.
The keynote speaker was HaRav Deutsch, who noted the
importance of establishing such a beis medrash,
especially in a place abounding with so many Torah scholars
of caliber, so that each one can find the particular place of
Torah best suited to his future development, to continue in
the path in which he received his formation as a ben
Torah. He also stressed the tremendous siyata
deShmaya experienced in its establishment, despite the
difficulties encountered, all because they toiled with great
devotion and sacrifice for the sake of Heaven.
His fervent words were followed by the Rosh Yeshiva, R' Moshe
Yehuda Schlesinger, who quoted the Gra: If those who are
involved in building a beis knesses work wholly
lesheim Shomayim, then the prayer in that edifice will
likewise be blessed so that no foreign thoughts will intrude
in the minds of the congregants. Those who built it were G-d-
fearing people, he continued, and those who will avail
themselves of it are surely so, and will continue to grow in
this place of Torah.
HaRav Erlanger, author of Bircas Avrohom, addressed
the gathering by beginning with the words in
Sanhedrin, "A gathering of tzaddikim is
beneficial for them and beneficial for the world." Such is
this gathering of yeshiva alumni whose purpose is to preserve
what they gained while in the yeshiva, and to seek the truth
in every thing -- in Torah, prayer and yiras
Shomayim.
"While at such occasions and assemblies I am not accustomed
to speak at length, for I don't have the time, nevertheless,
the dedication of this beis knesses, . . . has made me
take the time to participate."
HaRav Sholom Povarsky expressed his admiration for the
initiative of the avreichim in adding this new place
to increase Hashem's glory. He stressed that every effort
done for the sake of our King, no matter how small, can
effect great things in the world. Therefore, surely this
great effort will make a tremendous impact in Heaven.
The Rov of the Giv'a Hadromit, HaRav Y. Kainar spoke shortly
and expressed the hope that the new beis medrash would
benefit the entire community.
The mayor of Kiryat Sefer, R' Yaakov Gutterman, described his
amazement at this new, unique establishment and told of its
humble beginnings and unusual success in realizing the
goal.
R' Yitzchok Yeruchom Borodiansky, the Mashgiach, who was
enthusiastically supportive of the beis medrash, read
aloud the letter of the Rosh Yeshiva ztvk'l at the
opening of the beis medrash in Bnei Brak, "The good
name of our yeshiva is renowned throughout the world and
truly surpasses its reputation in reality. `Her sons rise up
and make her happy.' Let the thousands of students and alumni
come and testify to the devoted chinuch they received
in it for love of Torah and mitzvos which its rabbonim
implanted in their hearts."
Among other things, he also said that one can readily see the
importance that Maran Rosh Hayeshiva zt'l accorded to
the establishment of a chanichei hayeshiva beis
medrash such as this, as did ylct'a the Mashgiach
R' Gedaliah. This was a sign that Torah leaders lent greater
importance to such an endeavor than we ourselves realize.
Surely, he noted, this place will produce future gedolei
Yisroel.
HaRav Moshe Nechemia Segal, rav of the Beis Hamedrash in Bnei
Brak, was honored as well. The assistance and contribution of
all those involved in the establishment of the Beis Medrash,
on the front lines and behind the scenes as well, was hailed,
especially the role played by R' Yaakov Gutterman and his
assistant, R' Tzvi Levi, as well as by the member of the
local council who contributed his indefatigable assistance,
R' Noach Adler, may Hashem protect and bless them all.
Participating in this event were also hageonim shlita:
R' Aviezer Shapira, R' Eliezer Kundstat, R' Refoel Wolpin, R'
Aharon Kundstat, R' Efraim Straus and R' Menachem
Rotenberg.
The evening was closed with elevated spirits, amidst a great
sense of thankfulness for the past and a plea for future
success that this edifice truly be a repository of Torah and
prayer, and that all the plentiful blessings expressed by the
prominent rabbis that evening bear fruition, along the
characteristic lines of Kol Torah's guiding rabbis and
teachers.
