The assembly took place in Bnei Brak on Thursday evening of Chanukah, attracting a huge crowd which filled the new beis medrash of the Beis Arye kehilla, headed by the Rov of the Ramat Dovid neighborhood, HaRav Sariel Rosenberg, also Gaaved of the Bnei Brak Beis Din.
Even before the designated time, the beis medrash was already filled to overflowing from wall to wall with Bnei Torah who came to participate in this momentous event. Hundreds of additional places were provided in adjoining rooms and passageways to accommodate the huge crowds but even this was not enough so that video screens were set up in the adjoining courtyards outside which were also filled to capacity.
HaRav Rosenberg opened the assembly with a brief message about the significance of the days of Chanukah and the messages to be learned therefrom throughout the teachings of Chazal and poskim. He followed this by posing scholarly questions regarding the laws of Chanukah, citing the words of the Me'iri about the blessings of She'oso Nissim and Shehechiyonu regarding those who do not have candles to light or even an opportunity to see the lights. The gathering became alive with an electric give-and-take on the subjects, and other intricate halachic questions which ensued.
Shortly after, the Rosh Yeshiva of Netiv Hadaas, HaRav Yisroel Bunim Schreiber arrived and he, too dredged up from his treasury of vast knowledge, astute subjects and questions which electrified the members in the audience. Under discussion were the issues of the times. The assembled crowd came alive with proofs and disproofs, questions and answers from all sides.
The Gaon parried them capably, illustrating the axiom of 'were it not for Your Torah, my pastime, I would have perished in my suffering". Again demonstrating "It was verily due to the Torah which I studied under pressure and exertion which stood me by."
And he continued by raising another subject regarding those remote places where the Beis Din emissaries did not reach, dealing with how they were able to commemorate Chanukah and Purim. This led to other relevant topics, during which the entire beis medrash erupted into a living and breathing entity of Torah lava.
The joy and illumination which suffused the Gaon's face as he smoothed over all difficulties, bringing in their wake a new appreciation of the only thing that brings delight to whoever basks in the world of Torah.
With the culmination of this part of the event, the huge throng which filled all the corridors of the beis medrash and the surrounding outside areas were privileged to receive the figure of Rabbenu Dov Lando shlita who, upon arrival, began illuminating deep, profound subjects, transforming this entire occasion into one of essential Torah involvement.
Rabbenu presenting the words of Poskim regarding whether a minor who has reached the age of chinuch can absolve others who are halachically obligated to light the Chanukah candles. He then asked a significant question regarding the laws of emissary of a minor regarding the laws in this case also in connection with terumos and ma'asros.
The Scene
At this point, the beis medrash became alive with comments from all sides, from erudite Torah scholars down to young novices, each presenting their views and proofs, in agreement or disagreement in lion-like fiery involvement, quoting from Ketzos HaChoshen and Nesivos Hamishpot involving the halachic acquisition of a minor or entrusting a non-Jew as a messenger.
One discussion led to another in highly animated discussion, with the Rov both joining and leading the scholastic fray. It went on to the influence of monetary issues on prohibitions. Rabbenu differentiated between resolution of a monetary issue that could affect future prohibitions to the influence on past issues.
The beis medrash was in turmoil. In the midst of an animated discussion, Rabbenu asked for a gemara in order to quote a passage from Tosafos, and the tension kept on escalating.
One cannot help feel that this Torah, studied with so much energy and vitality, within a milieu of a huge participation, filled with a living holy spirit, is verily that selfsame Torah which protectively surrounds all of Jewry.
