What can be said to address the unspeakable?

In the aftermath of last Lag B’omer’s Meron tragedy, those charged with the responsibility of providing guidance and clarity were faced with an obvious problem: What can be said to address the unspeakable? But for Beth Medrash Govoha Rosh Yeshivah Rav Yeruchem Olshin, the response was straightforward: Don’t speak — instead, act.

Quoting the sefer Yosef Ometz, that the best way to elevate the neshamah of the niftar is through learning and being mechadesh Torah, Rav Yeruchem suggested everyone try and write some chiddushei Torah in the martyrs’ merit. He explained that with each novel idea in Torah comes a new burst of spirituality to the world. “So learn, write, create Torah,” was the Rosh Yeshivah’s message. “It’s the best we can do, so give it your all.”

Two yungeleit, Shloime Katz and Dovy Zucker, took it to heart, encouraging others to submit their own chiddushei Torah to be compiled into a new sefer.

The response to the advertised initiative exceeded their wildest expectations: More than 100 submissions were received, with topics spanning the gamut of Shas and poskim. Utilizing the professional service of BMG’s Mifal Publication Center of Mifal Talmudo B’Yado, the submissions were carefully typed, edited, and organized into a beautiful hardcover 750-page sefer, appropriately titled Sefer Zikaron Ki Chayim Heim, a reference not only to the 45 (the gematria of “heim”) neshamos, but to the Torah that is our true and eternal source of life, and through which our neshamos are granted everlasting life.

And if down here we remain lost for words, we can rest assured that in the Mesivta D’Rakia, a robust kol Torah rings forth as 45 holy neshamos revel over a brand new sefer.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 911)