Barely 24 hours went by before an organizer of the siyum saw how Rav Gurwicz embodied the very elevation he'd spoken about

PHOTO: MOISHY COHEN PHOTOGRAPHY

Living Higher

L

ast week, Oraysa participants around the globe celebrated the siyum on Seder Moed. The European siyum was held in the Royal Armouries in Leeds, England.

Gracing the siyum was the Gateshead rosh yeshivah and nasi of Oraysa Europe, Rav Avrohom Gurwicz, who agreed to make the hour-and-a-half-long trip to be mechazek the participants. The Rosh Yeshivah’s presence and speech at the siyum, during which he spoke about how Torah elevates a person, was a highlight for many of the participants.

Barely 24 hours went by before an organizer of the siyum saw how Rav Gurwicz embodied the very elevation he had spoken about. He had arranged for the Gateshead yeshivah’s driver to bring the Rosh Yeshivah to the siyum, which took place on Sunday evening. Monday evening, the phone in his house rang. “This is Avrohom Gurwicz,” the Rosh Yeshivah said. He explained that because the siyum was not a yeshivah event and the driver would not be paid from the usual yeshivah funds, he wanted to ensure the driver received timely payment.

The Lens

The JX Kollel at Rutgers University is a weekly learning opportunity for students of the university, led by cofounders Rabbi Shmuel Iann and Rabbi Mendy Brukirer. Founded just eight months ago, the group of students dedicate their Thursday evenings to learning Torah.

This past Thursday evening, the students made the hour-long trip from their college campus to Lakewood for a special seder session. Before starting to learn, the students visited Beth Medrash Govoha Rosh Yeshivah Rav Dovid Schustal, and showed him their learning booklets, which developed a sugya based on the Ketzos Hachoshen. The Rosh Yeshivah was amazed that Torah learning on that level was taking place in a bastion of secular activity.

“The bottom line is that Torah is not depriving, it enriches a person’s life,” the Rosh Yeshivah told the students. “Rav Aharon said that years before it became known in America,” he continued, before adding: “It doesn’t mean it won’t be challenged, but stand up to the challenge!”

Give and Take

“Rabbosai, I want to make a mivtza [a deal] with you.”

During Rav Yitzchak Koledetsky’s visit with the talmidim of the Mesivta of Cincinnati this past Motzaei Shabbos, he extended this offer and then went on to outline the terms of the deal.

“I learned by a talmid of the Chofetz Chaim,” said Rav Kolodetsky. “He told us how the Chofetz Chaim very much encouraged learning on Erev Shabbos after chatzos and, of course, on Shabbos as well. Inspired by his rebbi’s mandate, my rebbi encouraged us to take note of how much time we learned over Erev Shabbos and Shabbos and to present it to him after Shabbos. We received a reward in return.”

Raising his voice passionately, Rav Koledetsky continued, “The bochurim here should keep a cheshbon of their learning over Erev Shabbos and Shabbos. Then send me these notes along with your names. I will daven for each name at the kevarim of the Chazon Ish, the Steipler, and Rav Chaim Kanievsky.”

For the talmidim of Mesivta of Cincinnati, it was truly an offer they couldn’t refuse.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 1090)