Feed aggregator

Thousands converged on the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Sunday night for the fifth Adirei HaTorah maamad in support of the yungeleit of Lakewood, NJ. Those who couldn’t get tickets to the primary venue filled the Cure Arena in Trenton, NJ, joining the full program via live hookup.

From cities and towns across the tri-state area, busloads and carloads of attendees arrived with one shared purpose: to proclaim the honor and centrality of limud haTorah and to pay tribute to those who dedicate their lives to it.

The arena’s doors opened at 3 p.m. Gone were the sports banners and celebrity endorsements. In their place were powerful declarations of kavod haTorah, with mottos and visuals emphasizing the preciousness of those who carry the spiritual burdens of Klal Yisroel. As guests entered, they were offered refreshments, while inside the arena they were met with a magnificent sight: a round majestic dais on the floor of the arena constructed for the hundreds of roshei yeshiva, rabbonim, and roshei chaburah in attendance.

The air was charged with anticipation and uplifted by the sweet sounds of music. Keyboardist Meir Adler, flown in from Eretz Yisroel, was joined by singers Yanky Daskal, Hershy Weinberger, Duvid Berger, Shaya Lebron, and the Yedidim and Yingerlach Choirs. Their stirring melodies provided the evening with an atmosphere of joy and reverence.

Tehillim was recited for acheinu Bnei Yisroel by Rav Chaim Ginsburg, senior rosh chaburah at Bais Medrash Govoah.

Mincha was led by Rabbi Moshe Schepansky, father of Eli Schepansky z”l, a bochur who was recently niftar in a tragic accident.

As the roshei yeshiva entered the arena, accompanying the esteemed guest from Eretz Yisroel, Rav Yitzchok Soloveitchik, the crowd rose in a unified, thunderous display of kavod haTorah.

Rav Nochum Binder, who served as the evening’s emcee, opened the program by reflecting on the current state of Klal Yisroel and the many challenges that seem to abound.

Tehillim was then recited, led by Rav Dovid Schustal, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah, who first delivered divrei chizuk.

Rav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah, was then introduced to address the maamad.

A video was then shown featuring a song to the tune of Shlomo Zolty’s Vahaviyosim, followed by a second song to Chaim Banet’s Machnisei Rachamim, sung by Boruch Levine, as well as V’ahavascha, Moshe Goldman’s Ani Maamin, and Yisgadal V’yisgadash.

The special guest from Eretz Yisroel, Rav Yitzchok Soloveitchik, was then introduced.

Following Rav Soloveitchik’s drasha, a poignant video was shown in memory of Rav Shimon Frank zt”l, an outstanding yungerman who was niftar during the past year. The video about this dedicated ben Torah painted a picture of a life steeped in Torah and kedusha.

The singing of Avinu Av Harachaim and several other niggunim was led by Yanky Daskal, who was joined by special guest singer Naftali Kempeh, who sang his own composition, Baavur Avoseinu.

A Siyum HaShas on Talmud Bavli and Talmud Yerushalmi, learned b’iyun by the yungeleit of Bais Medrash Govoah, was made, with the Hadran recited by Rav Yisroel Neuman, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah. After Rav Neuman recited the Hadran, the Kaddish for the siyum was recited by relatives of lomdei Bais Medrash Govoah who were niftar during the past year.

With the response of the final amein and a cry of “Mazel tov!” the crowd erupted with pure joy and simchas haTorah.

Rav Uri Deutsch, rov of the Forest Park Shul, then delivered the keynote drasha.

After an uplifting medley, the thousands joined together in Kabbolas Ohl Malchus Shomayim, led by Rav Yeruchom Olshin, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah, who first delivered divrei chizuk.

A brief final round of singing and dancing followed, bringing the program to a close shortly after 9 p.m.

As the crowd began to file out, with music still echoing through the cavernous arena, the prevailing feeling was that the Adirei HaTorah maamad had once again fulfilled its mission—with a resounding reminder that the lomdei Torah remain the crown jewels of our people.

PHOTOS:

{Matzav.com}

A dramatic incident sent shockwaves through the olam haTorah Sunday evening after a bochur from Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo was detained by authorities, prompting concern among family members and sparking warnings of a public response from the yeshiva if he was not released.

The bochur, Uriel Rosenfeld, reportedly left his home at approximately 6:00 p.m. and was scheduled to attend a wedding. When he failed to arrive and his family was unable to determine his whereabouts, concern quickly grew.

Family members contacted attorney Shlomo Chadad, who immediately began efforts to locate him.

After making inquiries, Chadad learned that Rosenfeld was being held at the Anatot police station.

Sources within Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo warned that if the bochur was not released immediately, the yeshiva would launch a public campaign on his behalf, including demonstrations and possible road blockages.

A short time later, Rosenfeld was released, bringing the immediate episode to an end.

The incident nevertheless heightened concern throughout the yeshiva world amid the ongoing arrests of bnei yeshiva and the growing tensions surrounding enforcement measures directed at those whose military status has not been regularized.

The arrest drew particular attention due to Rosenfeld’s association with Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo, one of the largest and most prominent yeshivos in Eretz Yisroel, headed by Rav Sholom Ber Sorotzkin, who was in the United States last night for the Adirei HaTorah event and the wedding of Reb Lipa Friedman’s child. Rav Sorotzkin previously led the historic gathering of the olam haTorah that drew hundreds of thousands in a public display of support for bnei yeshiva and lomdei Torah.

{Matzav.com}

Violent disturbances erupted overnight in Beit Shemesh after the arrest of a yeshiva bochur classified by authorities as a draft evader, leading hundreds of demonstrators to gather outside the local police station. The unrest escalated as dozens of protesters forced their way into the station compound, set fires, and clashed with police officers and Border Police personnel.

According to police, the arrested individual, a yeshiva bochur from Beitar Illit, was detained during a routine inspection conducted under a recently implemented enforcement policy. Authorities said he was transferred to military police custody before protesters arrived at the scene.

As the night progressed, tensions intensified. Police reported that a group of demonstrators breached the station grounds, ignited several fires in the area, and engaged in confrontations with security forces attempting to restore order.

The disturbances come amid growing controversy surrounding a directive issued by Israel Police Commissioner Danny Levy instructing officers to proactively locate and arrest yeshiva bochurim who have not regularized their military status.

Police said the protest initially began outside the Beit Shemesh station in response to the bochur’s detention by military police. Although the detainee had not been brought to the station itself, the gathering quickly grew. At a certain point, authorities said, dozens of rioters turned violent, stormed the station compound, and set nearby vegetation ablaze.

Yerushalayim District police officers and Border Police troops were deployed to disperse the crowd and push demonstrators away from the facility. Police said several separate fires broke out in the adjacent wooded area during the disturbances. Fire and Rescue Services responded to the scene and succeeded in extinguishing the blazes.

Later in the night, security forces managed to clear protesters from the police station grounds and surrounding roads. However, clashes continued in the vicinity of Route 38, where demonstrators allegedly hurled stones at police and attempted to block traffic.

Several individuals were arrested on suspicion of rioting and assaulting police officers. Jerusalem Region Commander Chief Superintendent Shlomi Bachar arrived at the scene and oversaw the police response.

Police said forces remain deployed in the area and are continuing efforts to restore calm and prevent additional disturbances.

{Matzav.com}