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18 Sivan 5763 - June 18, 2003 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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NEWS
New Wing Dedicated at Kol Torah
by Betzalel Kahn

A modest dedication ceremony for the Mercaz Limudei Eretz An immense assemblage of gedolei Yisroel, roshei yeshivos, rabbonim, dayanim, public figures, talmidim, alumni and other guests packed the Kol Torah campus in Jerusalem's Bayit Vegan neighborhood to participate in an impressive dedication ceremony for the yeshiva's new wing and the new beis medrash for the yeshiva ketanoh.

The event began Sunday afternoon June 15-15 Sivan when the mezuzas were fixed onto the doorposts of the new beis medrash and classrooms for the yeshiva ketanoh by the contributors' family members. Following Minchah the sifrei Torah from the old beis medrash were brought in a large procession, accompanied by song and dance, to the new one, by the Zweig Family.

Later a naming ceremony was held for the new wing of the yeshiva gedoloh, Heichal Pinchas, donated by the Mandel Family. Speakers included HaRav Avrohom Erlanger, one of the roshei yeshivos, and HaRav Yitzchok Yeruchom Bordiansky, the yeshiva's menahel ruchani. Meanwhile a dedication ceremony was held for the beis medrash for the yeshiva ketanoh, where a speech was given by HaRav Aviezer Shapira, the menahel ruchani for the yeshiva ketanoh.

Thousands packed the yeshiva's new dining hall for the late- night seudas mitzvoh. The event began with an opening address by R' Tzvi Roth, the yeshiva's secretary, who then passed the microphone to Rav Yosef Buchsbaum, head of Machon Yerushalayim and a former talmid at the yeshiva. Following brief remarks he invited HaRav Shmuel Auerbach to speak.

R' Shmuel mentioned how his father, Maran HaRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt'l, served as rosh yeshivas Kol Torah for over fifty years, teaching Torah to thousands. Then he proceeded to speak out against efforts to set up an institution mixing together limudei kodesh and limudei chol as practiced in yeshiva high schools, saying these institutions are contrary to the concept of a yeshiva, where talmidim should receive a Torah education in purity, as passed down from generation to generation.

The next speakers were HaRav Shlomo Wolbe, and rosh yeshivas Kol Torah HaRav Moshe Yehuda Schlesinger. When they finished the participants greeted HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman with great enthusiasm, singing "Yomim al yemei melech Tosif" and "Ki orech yomim ushenos chaim" for several minutes. HaRav Shteinman presented the members of the yeshiva with words of chizuk, stressing the great importance of hakoras hatov by citing several sayings by Chazal. He also praised the alumni for giving thanks by coming to the place of Torah where they grew and matured during their years of study under its roof. When he stepped down, the participants again sang for several minutes.

HaRav Ezriel Auerbach read a letter of support from Maran HaRav Eliashiv (see sidebar). Then letters from HaRav Moshe Shmuel Shapira, HaRav Shmuel Halevi Wosner and HaRav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz were also read.

Later HaRav Yechezkel Korn Kunsdtat spoke, and then a special gift was presented to Yeshiva Director R' Binyomin Lipskin. A speech was also given by R' Betzalel Safran, representing the contributors, the Zweig Family.

The event ended in an atmosphere of spiritual uplift for the yeshiva members and alumni, boosted with chizuk and encouragement to return to their Torah learning, both at the yeshiva and elsewhere.

Yosef Sholom Eliashiv

Jerusalem

BS'D, Sivan 5763

I hereby join in sending my blessings to mark the dedication of the new buildings at Yeshivas Kol Torah, widely acclaimed as a place where [young men] are raised for [a life of] Torah and yiras Shomayim, and which is headed by my friend HaGaon Rav M.Y. Schlesinger, shlita.

I also extend my blessings to those who help carry the load of the yeshiva, and those who had a part in the construction of these buildings and who are also involved in the yeshiva's expansion, maintenance and sustenance. May Hashem reward them for their efforts and may they receive their full wages from Hashem.

With Torah blessings,

Yosef Eliashiv

 

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