I always like to share a little bit about the back end of real estate. Many times, sellers call me up with the following complaints. Either they’re currently listed with another broker and their home is just not selling, or their listing expired with another broker and they’re deciding to do it on their own. If it’s for sale by owner, there are different reasons why a home won’t be selling with or without a broker.
Many times, they will call and give me a short description of the home and ask me if I have a buyer. But that’s not how it works. I always like to hear the whole story, although be aware that some sellers appreciate that, and some sellers do not; they just want the buyer to list with them.
But if your house is on the market for nine months and it’s on a great block there has to be a reason why it is not selling. There can be many reasons. I believe that when this is the case, Hashem is holding the home for a specific buyer. I see it A LOT. Below are some of the reasons why a home doesn’t sell.
Reasons Why Your Home Is Not Selling
Open permit, no Certificate of Occupancy, or violations: These are issues that can be resolved. Resolving these issues requires more than just filing the needed documents. Sometimes there is a monetary fine or the issues can be a combination of things and can take six months to resolve unless you use an expeditor to help expedite the process to get rid of the violations.
TOO Unique: Is it a modern home near an apartment building, or is it overextended for that particular block, etc.? Are the taxes way higher than average?
Unrealistic Price: The price of the home that the sellers initially wanted was unrealistic (as the market showed us) or sellers rejected multiple good offers.
Home Sale Strategies
To put up a sign or to not put up a sign? That is the question (after, to sell or not to sell, lol).
The sign in it of itself does not sell a house! I have generally not yet heard of a single home which sold ONLY because someone was walking down the block, saw a
for sale sign and bought the home. One needs to have multiple strategies to sell a home.
Putting up a sign can be one strategy, but should not be the only one. Examples of other strategies are, perfecting negotiation skills, social media accounts, excellent marketing campaigns, and relationships with other agents and community members.
All of these alone do not sell a home, but together they’re an immense help.
Some sellers give me an entire list of what I cannot do but still expect to get top dollar. I can’t put up a sign, can’t post on social media, can’t take pictures, basically I can’t use any of the tools I usually use. These restrictions do create a challenge, especially when the sellers still expect top dollar. I have had sellers who had used this same strategy with another agent for eight months, still did not sell, and expected me to have some sort of power to make it happen while not being able to use any or all of my usual strategies. Though I understand the need or want for privacy, sometimes these needs should be measured against what you gain if the sign is up. It’s definitely a personal decision. It also definitely depends on the type of house, location, and price. Those all affect our decisions.
Many times, I suggest to those who are hesitant about the sign that they start without a for sale sign, then as showings or offers come in (or don’t) a sign can be put up to help further interest. So yes, a sign helps along with many other actions, but each house and situation is unique and should be looked at accordingly
Simon was planning a trip to Israel and Robert asked him to take four thousand dollars to his sister who resided in Jerusalem. Robert placed the money in an unsealed white envelope and gave it to Simon. Simon did not count the money and stipulated that he is not assuming responsibility for the funds. He placed the cash in his wife’s bag, which he stowed in the overhead bin on the plane. Upon arrival to Jerusalem, Simon was required by law to quarantine for seven days, and thereafter he took the envelope to Robert’s sister, who counted the cash and found the amount in the envelope was short five hundred and ninety dollars. In Bet Din Robert’s sister reprimanded Simon for carelessly stowing the cash in an overhead bin. Simon responded that the four-thousand-dollar cash envelope he received consisted of many fifty, twenty, and ten-dollar bills, and it would have been an extra time-consuming burden for him to count each bill. Also, the overstuffed envelope was unreasonable to carry on his person for the duration of the flight. Simon added that it was irrational to say that someone stole five hundred and ninety dollars and left the entire balance behind. He therefore suggested that he perhaps never received the complete four thousand dollars from Robert. Robert defended that he carefully counted the money before placing it in the envelope. Robert and his sister suggested that perhaps Simon or his wife mistakenly used the cash for their expenses thinking the cash was their own. The couple responded that for the duration of the flight and the seven days of quarantine they did not even use a total sum near the amount missing.
Is Simon responsible for the missing funds? How should the Bet Din rule and why?
Torah Law
According to the ruling of the Shulhan Aruch, one who is entrusted with money for safekeeping is required by law to store the cash in a wall or floor safe. If travelling, one is required to keep the cash in hand or in a front pocket for safekeeping. Unless agreed upon otherwise by the owner, one who deviates from these requirements is liable in the event the cash is lost or stolen. This ruling is applicable even to an unpaid watchman since deviating from the above-mentioned instructions is viewed as an act of negligence.
Interestingly, by rule of the Shulhan Aruch, if loose cash is deposited for safekeeping, the guardian of the funds is viewed as a paid watchman. The guardian of loose cash is liable for theft or loss even if he protected the money as required by law. The underlying reasoning behind this ruling is that since the money was deposited loosely, the watchman is entitled to use the funds deposited if needed. The right to use another’s funds constitutes a clear benefit extended to the safekeeper and he is thus liable for loss or theft of the cash. By contrast, if the money is deposited in a sealed envelope, the watchman is not entitled to temporarily use the funds and is consequently not liable for loss or theft. Since such a custodian is not receiving a benefit or payment for his services he is viewed as an unpaid watchman and is exempt unless he is negligent.
According to leading halachic authorities a watchman can stipulate a clause of exemption at the time the item is first received. Hence, even an unpaid watchman can, from the onset, stipulate exemption of all liability including the loss of the item even due to his own negligence. Contemporary halachic authorities suggest that although a watchman who does not specify the level of exemption he is seeking is limited in his liability, he is not completely exempt. Hence, if a paid watchman vaguely states that he is willing to protect the item without assuming responsibility, he is exempt from claims associated with theft, but is still liable for all acts of negligence. Unless he clearly stipulates when first receiving the item that he is not assuming responsibility for his negligence, he is held accountable. If, however, an unpaid watchman vaguely stipulates he is not assuming responsibility, he is exempt in case of loss due to his negligence. Since a standard unpaid watchman is only liable for negligence, it is obvious that his unclear stipulation included his only kind of liability.
According to early halachic authorities, a messenger sent to deliver cash to another is not considered a paid watchman even if the cash he received is loose. The reason for such a distinction is that since the messenger is required to deliver the cash at the first opportunity available, his access to using the funds if needed is limited. Hence, if he is not getting paid for his services, the mere fact that the cash is temporarily loose is not grounds to make him liable for loss or theft.
By rule of the Shulhan Aruch, one who deposits an item for safekeeping assumes that both the guardian and his wife will be involved in protecting the item. Unless otherwise stipulated from the onset, a plaintiff may not accuse a defendant of wrongfully transferring the deposited item to his wife’s possession.
By Torah law, if a plaintiff states that he trusts the defendant and does not insist he take an oath to validate his claim, a Bet Din will release the defendant of the required oath. The defendant’s position is accepted as fact, and the case is adjudicated accordingly.
VERDICT: A Legal Exemption
Our Bet Din ruled in favor of Simon and found him not liable for the missing cash. As mentioned in Torah law, although the money was in an unsealed envelope, nevertheless, Simon was instructed to deliver the cash to Robert’s sister. A delivery boy is viewed by Torah law as an unpaid watchman. Although an unpaid watchman is responsible if negligent, since Simon stipulated that he is not assuming responsibility for the cash, his stipulation obviously included negligence. An unpaid watchman is only liable in case of negligence; hence the stipulated exemption was intended in case of his negligence. Robert and his sister expressed that they trusted Simon and his wife when they asserted that they did not mistakenly spend the missing cash. Thus, our Bet Din ruled that Simon was exempt from payment.
YOU BE THE JUDGE
Moving Out of State?
Deborah is an experienced general studies teacher working in a local New York school. She and her husband planned to move out of state immediately after winter intersession. Deborah notified the school of her post-intersession plans and resigned from her position. With nearly two months’ notice, the school interviewed many teachers to fill her post for the second half of the year and narrowed down the potential candidates for the job to one teacher. Sometime thereafter, before the winter intersession, Deborah and her husband had a sudden change of plans and notified the school that she intended to stay longer at her job. The school board rejected her notification, explaining that it was too late to reverse her resignation. Deborah responded that her resignation went into effect only after intersession and prior to that date she still has the right to choose to continue her employment. The board further claimed that they finally found a qualified teacher to fill the post and they were unwilling to jeopardize the new teacher’s hiring. They added that Deborah is actively pursuing to move out of state and the school is likely to be stranded without a qualified teacher for their students. Deborah responded that she is willing to give notification two months before leaving, just as she did in the past, and that is sufficient time to find another teacher.
Is the school required to further employ Deborah after intersession? Is the school allowed to release her as planned? How should the Bet Din rule and why?
Community is thrilled to launch its new-and-improved website, redesigned by the outstanding team of Webterior Design
It was 2001 when the first issue of Community appeared. Throughout the next two decades, the magazine has faithfully strived to fulfill its goal of providing monthly content which is informative, relevant, well-researched, and in accordance with Jewish faith, Torah values, and Sephardic tradition. We have always endeavored to maintain high professional standards and to promote unity and mutual respect among the various subgroups within our increasingly diverse community.
We take great pride in being, by far, the most widely circulated Sephardic monthly magazine in the world. But with this achievement comes great responsibility, requiring that we continually work to accommodate the rapidly changing mechanisms through which information is presented in the modern age.
This sense of responsibility has led us to redesign the magazine’s website for the benefit of our readers who access our content digitally. The new improvements will make it easier for readers to view our archive, business directory, classified ads, “mabrouk” announcements, and online “flipbook” for convenient reading. The enhanced digital environment will also allow readers to easily search for relevant information about our community’s institutions and events.
The state-of-the-art design was produced by the professional team of Webterior Designs, which conducted a detailed analysis of the site’s needs and objectives and then got to work creating for our readers the perfect user-friendly and visually attractive virtual magazine.
As anyone in the press industry knows, it is critical for websites to be optimized and to provide the best possible interface in order to attract and keep users, thereby assuring advertisers that they are receiving considerable exposure to a large number of potential customers.
We at Community express our gratitude and appreciation to Webterior Designs and their creative team for their expertise and dedicated work, helping us develop a detailed strategy for maintaining a dynamic online presence. It is our delight and our duty to recommend Webterior Designs for any institution or business looking to set up or upgrade their website to gain maximum exposure and provide users with the best online experience.
Special Lechaim held in the home of Rav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a
One of the highlights of this year’s annual gathering of Shas Yiden, which included oral exam on the entire Shas as well as an emotional Siyum Hashas celebration, was the participation, for the first time, of the contingent from London, UK. Shas Yiden-London was opened a year-and-a-half ago by the Pozna Rav, founder of Shas Yiden, with the encouragement of HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, shleit”a, Nasi of Shas Yiden.
The London Shas Yiden geonim landed in Israel together with the patron of Shas Yiden-London, the honored philanthropist Reb Yisroel Moskowitz, shlit”a. Two of his sons-in-law are among the Shas Yiden geonim – HaRav Avrohom Dov Olevsky, shlit”a, formerly one of the top scholars in Shas Yiden in Jerusalem, who now serves as the Rosh Kollel of Shas Yiden-London; and HaRav Yisroel Shvirtz, shlit”a, who learns in Shas Yiden in Jerusalem.
The London scholars joined all the other Shas Yiden geonim from Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Beit Shemesh, Beitar and Kiryat Sefer at the incredible public exam on the entire Shas. Just a few minutes into the exam, it became clear to everyone in attendance that they all shared a comprehensive knowledge of all tractates of the Talmud. Their remarkable achievements have earned them great acclaim in the Torah community, and have dispelled the misconception that thorough knowledge of Shas lay only with scholars of bygone times. The addition of Shas Yiden-London, whose members faced the same rigorous testing as their colleagues in the five Shas Yiden kollelim in Eretz Yisrael, has shown that such achievements are possible also in the Diaspora.
A special and unforgettable moment for the Shas Yiden-London avreichim during their Israel trip took place the morning after the exam and siyum celebration, when they were invited to a special lechaim in the home of HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a. Maran expressed his great excitement at the establishment of Shas Yiden branches in the Diaspora, and made an exception to his normal practice by drinking a “lechaim” with the distinguished visitors. Thereafter, each of the young scholars was privileged to meet with Rav Kanievsky individually. He blessed each avreich that he should continue rising to ever greater heights of Torah scholarship.
The avreichim hurled back page references and sources from all over Shas, exhibiting their breathtaking knowledge. When they would pause, it was to refer and to determine the different sources and to debate with the examiners. All who were present were amazed by what they saw.
Where are kerem rivai and neta rivai mentioned in Shas, and what is the difference between them?
Which halochot are learned from the verse, “Lo tochelu al hadam” (literally, “You shall not eat over the blood” – Vayikra 19:26)?
Where in Shas do we learn the concept of biryah (the special status of a whole object), and in which contexts?
What is the reason why one does not receive lashes for violating a lav she’en bo maaseh (a prohibition which is transgressed without performing an action)? And where is this mentioned in Shas?
How many implications of the law of modeh biknas (one who admits to being required to pay a penalty) are mentioned in Shas, and where?
What is the source of the requirements to add time (“tosefet”) onto Shabbat and shemitah?
Regarding bittul (the negating of a minority component of a mixture) – how many items are there that cannot be negated in a mixture due to their importance? (This question led to many unanticipated examples of such items which are mentioned in Shas.)
Which violators are put to death even if they did not receive hatra’ah (warning)?
Regarding mixtures min bemino (between two identical items) and min bish’eno mino (between two different items), how do we determine if the two items are considered similar or different? What if wine becomes vinegar?
Which halachot are derived from kabbalah (tradition) and not from verses in the Torah?
Where is it better to live – with a son or a daughter?
How many times and where in Shas is it mentioned that the Torah “is not in heaven”?
How many times in Shas does it say that one should not perform miraculous actions?
How can the Gemara say that we do not listen to Eliyahu Hanavi, but also mandate the opposite?
Where does the Gemara refer to a transgression committed by thought alone, without any speech or action?
From where in Shas can we infer the law relevant to a case of a person who shoots an arrow at someone, and before the arrow strikes the targeted person, either the attacker or the targeted individual converts and becomes Jewish?
Where in Shas do we learn a law from what occurred before Matan Torah? What does the Tosafot Yeshanim say in this regard? What does it say in Ketubot, and where is this referenced in Yevamot and Zevahim?
Where is it mentioned that “beneh aliyah” (superior scholars) are few in number?
Who is to be preferred – the migmar (one who learns) or the misbar (one who explains)? A Sinai (scholar with a broad scope of knowledge) or the oker harim (“uprooter of mountains,” a scholar with exceedingly sharp analytical skills)? A sefer Torah or a Torah scholar? Rav Direnfeld remarked that these choices do not apply to the Shas Yiden because they each combine all these traits.
To watch a video recording of the exam, please visit www.shasyiden.com.
Rav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a:These are emesdike (true) Shas Yiden.
The Sanzer Rebbe, shlit”a: When the Shas Yiden Kollel opened, all thought that even with its lofty goal, it would only be able to produce a few individuals proficient in the entire Shas. Today, to our joy, we witness a significant and tremendous Torah institution. Its founder, the Pozna Rav, is certainly fulfilling the shelihut (mission) of Klal Yisroel.”
When the Boyaner Rebbe, shlit”a, left the hall, he grabbed the hand of the founder of Shas Yiden, the Pozna Rov, and broke into an emotional rikud (dance).
Reb Elimelech Biderman, shlit”a: “At this time, the ministering angels on High are dancing in honor of the Shas Yiden avreichim….
The Torah world has closely followed the exciting annual gathering at which the geonim (prodigies) of the Shas Yiden kollel study program once again celebrate the completion of the study of the entire Shas.
Before the siyum, they were publicly tested on the entire Shas, which, in the last year alone, they have each covered a minimum of five times. As in previous years, the gathering was graced by the presence of our generation’s leading Torah sages, who came to honor and recognize the accomplishments of the avreichim (young kollel students) of the Shas Yiden network.
Founded 13 years ago by the Pozna Rav, HaRav Avrohom Eisen, shlit”a, of Brooklyn, Shas Yiden has brought about a worldwide Torah revolution, producing outstanding scholars who have mastered the entire Talmud with its commentaries. It currently runs six kollelim, situated in Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Beitar, Bnei Brak, Kiryat Sefer, and Stamford Hill in London, UK. The organization’s motto is “Lo bashomayim hi – It is not in heaven” (Devarim 30:12), expressing that through hard work and devotion, in-depth knowledge of the entire Shas is attainable, and belying the myth that comprehensive knowledge of Shas is something of the past.
Beyond honoring the young luminaries, the magnificent gathering also provided an opportunity to recognize the rapid expansion of the Shas Yiden network. The dais seated some 94 avreichimgeonim, all of whom have achieved comprehensive knowledge of the entire Shas, putting on public display the fulfillment of a blessing given years ago by Rav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a, Nasi of Shas Yiden. For over a decade, Kollel Shas Yiden consisted of a mere minyan of avreichim in a small room in Beit Shemesh, but Rav Kanievsky blessed the Pozna Rav and encouraged him to establish additional branches of Shas Yiden. To many it appeared to be a distant, and perhaps impossible, vision, but today it is clearly a vibrant reality.
Rav Kanievsky was so enthused by the great growth of Shas Yiden that he did not just attend the event, but also brought his personal letter to be read aloud at the event on his behalf by his illustrious study partner, HaRav Yisroel Meir Druk, shlit”a. In the letter, Rav Kanievsky wrote, “Praiseworthy are these talmidei chachomim[Torah scholars], outstanding in their great knowledge of Torah, of the entire Shas Bavli in breadth and depth. These are emesdike [true] Shas Yiden, whom I have personally tested, and I found them beki’im gedolim [exceptionally proficient] in the entire Shas.”
Rav Kanievsky also noted the great revolution in the Torah world that the Pozna Rav began 13 years ago, how it has inspired other efforts in the Torah world to learn the entire Talmud. He also highlighted the fact that the Shas Yiden students not only know the Shas, but also constantly review all the Gemara and commentaries of Rashi and Tosafot throughout the year to commit all this material to memory.
“Praised is the Pozna Rav who has been privileged to be the ‘Nahshon’ [pioneer] with this idea to establish such kollelim, and to produce incredible scholars who are privileged to study Gemara, Rashi and Tosafot, and to make a siyum of the entire Shas each year, through great effort and with great clarity.”
When he concluded reading the letter, Rav Druk noted that Rav Chaim’s son, HaRav Yitzchak Shaul, described to him how much his father enjoys and looks forward to the visits of the Shas Yiden scholars when they come before him to be tested.
All the Shas Yiden Avreichim ready for the Farher Hagadol
A Father’s Tears
It is difficult to find the words to adequately describe this incredible gathering. Throughout the event, the atmosphere was electric.
Prior to the exams, the 94 geonim entered, took their places, and were rocking back and forth, each holding a Gemara in his hand. Every minute of the day, they have the sacred words of the Shas with them, and the moments before the exam were no exception. Indeed, the Shas Yiden program is not confined to any specific time frame. These avreichim are not in kollel – they are the kollel, devoting themselves to learning at all times. Each weekday, they must cover nine blatt (double pages) and review the material four times. On Erev Shabbat and Erev Yom Tov, and on Shabbat and Yom Tov, they are required to complete four blatt and review the material four times – so that they complete the Shas – a total of 13,555 blatt – five times every year.
The faces of these avreichim shone with purity and Torah knowledge. Like the Torah (Bamidbar 14:24) says about Kalev, these outstanding men possess a “ru’ah aheret – a different spirit.”
When the exam was about to begin, an older member of the audience was seen with a tear rolling down his cheek, which he tried brushing away. It turned out that he was the father of two Shas Yiden. Two towering scholars from the same home.
“Yes, my boys are learning Gemara, Rashi and Tosafot every day and night,” he said. “Baruch Hashem, they really know Shas. As soon as the test starts, you will understand why I am so emotional and excited. Even though you don’t have a son here, you will be just as excited.”
Somebody turned to the father and asked, “Are both your sons iluyim [geniuses]? After all, this program is for iluyim, isn’t it?”
“Actually, no,” the father replied. “This kollel is for those who are serious about their Torah. It’s for those who learn with all their might, day and night. Being an ilui has never been a condition to becoming a Torah giant.”
Shas Yiden Avreichim opposite the Examiners
A Torah Tidal Wave
Finally, the moment that the avreichim have been preparing for all year arrived.
Two exams were conducted. Like all the previous exams they had taken, there was no way to anticipate the questions, which could be asked about any line of Gemara, anywhere in Shas. Every question was asked by an eminent, distinguished Torah sage.
The head of the kollelim, Harav Moshe Isaac Samet, shlit”a, opened the gathering by saying, “We are again entering an awesome gathering that is unique in its combination of yir’ah [trepidation] and rahamim [mercy], a holy gathering before Gd. Lift your eyes and look about you, how our avreichim have gathered from across the Land of Israel and from as far as London – the scholars of Shas Yiden. May the pleasantness of Hashem our Gd rest upon us…”
The first rav to pose a question to the avreichim was HaRav Chaim Freund, shlit”a, Rosh Kollel of Yeshiva Nachalas Moshe in Bnei Brak, and rav of Kehilas Lomdei Torah in Rechovot. After delivering his blessing to the young scholars, he began to challenge them with a barrage of questions. Each avreich had a microphone, and the immediate responses sounded like a tidal wave of Torah, quoting sources from all over Shas and its commentaries. It was a battle of Torah titans.
The second examiner was HaRav Avraham Direnfeld, Rosh Kollelei Iyun of Belz, rav of Kehillot Belz in Tel-Aviv and Beit Shemesh, and a member of Badatz Machazikei Hadas. In a fascinating “plot twist,” one of the avreichim being tested was Rav Direnfeld’s son. Once again, “no quarter was given” as the mighty scholars squared off. Everyone in attendance was awestruck, wondering how these young men could absorb so much material and commit it all to memory.
The audience included many American yeshiva students whose parents are supporters of Shas Yiden. They could not believe their eyes, and immediately following the exams, they were on their phones calling their parents to tell them about the awesome gathering that they had just witnessed.
After the exam, HaRav Direnfeld reflected, “After so many tragedies that occurred over this last year, we are fortunate to witness such a simcha as this – that in our midst are great geonim who know the entire Shas. This is an amazing kiddush Shem Shamayim [glorification of Gd’s Name]!”
The gathering moved to the adjoining hall for a seudat mitzvah (meal which fulfills a mitzvah), celebrating the completion of the Torah She’b’al Peh (Oral Law). The Shas Yiden geonim were surrounded by their families – including their parents and their children, all basking in joy and nahat (pride). They had all concluded a year of hard work and toil to master the Torah. Each family member is a full partner with his or her Shas Yid gaon. Once again, as in past years, the wives were each presented with a gift, a generous cash-filled envelope, and a personal letter from the Pozna Rav.
The participants also included the selfless supporters of Shas Yiden, who were overcome by emotion witnessing this special occasion. The excitement and awe intensified as the honored guests began to arrive – the generation’s leading Torah sages and Hassidic figures. Their presence testified to the deep impression the Shas Yiden geonim have made upon our Torah leaders, a result of the exams held every several months conducted by scholars spanning the Torah spectrum. The emotion peaked with the arrival of the Nasi of the Shas Yiden network, Rav Kanievsky. The room erupted in festive singing and dancing, and it was a sight to behold. Rav Kanievsky was joined on the dais by numerous outstanding Torah sages, including Harav Boruch Dov Povarsky, Harav Shimon Badani, the Sanzer Rebbe, the Boyaner Rebbe and Harav Shimon Galai.
As each of the avreichim had completed the Shas five times over the course of the year, the total number of Shas completed by the avreichim geonim was 470! These were all combined into one grand and inspiring celebration.
The Sanzer Rebbe recited the Hadran (traditional prayer recited at a siyum) and delivered an emotional address. He remarked that even if just one individual completes the study of a single tractate of Talmud, a celebration is held, and here, at this event, nearly 100 geonim have completed the entire Shas, reviewing it several times, committing it to memory, and delving into its intricacies.
“There is no greater Yom Tov than this!” the Rebbe exclaimed, adding that everyone in attendance was witnessing the fulfilment of the divine promise that the Torah will never be forgotten.
“What in yesteryear was the inheritance of the few, the Pozna Rav, shlit”a, has made into a gigantic revolution,” the Rebbe marveled. He added, “We see the Shas Yiden network growing exponentially. It must be a gift that the Pozna Rav was granted from Heaven, for he is certainly doing the shelichut (mission) of Klal Yisrael [the Jewish Nation].”
Maran Hamashpia Hagadol Reb Elimelech Biderman addresses the SiyumSanzer Rebbe making the Hadran
The Sanzer Rebbe pointed out that he knows some of the Shas Yiden avreichim personally, and their faces reflect their fierce love of Torah. He said that the “charm” which these students attain through their rigorous Torah study “clearly negates the power of the evil inclination, hastens the redemption, and is a source of salvation for all of Klal Yisrael.”
The honor of reciting the kaddish on behalf of all the geonim was given to HaRav Yisroel Moskowitz, shlit”a, of London, patron of the London Shas Yiden Kollel. His son-in-law, HaRav Avrohom Dovid Olevsky, shlit”a, was one of the leading scholars of the Shas Yiden kollel in Jerusalem, until being appointed to serve as the Rosh Kollel of Shas Yiden, London. A second son-in-law, HaRav Yisroel Shvirtz, is one of the avreichim geonim learning in the Jerusalem branch of Shas Yiden.
One of the most memorable and emotional moments of the evening came when the Boyaner Rebbe, shlit”a, was about to leave and the Pozna Rav escorted him to the building entrance. Unexpectedly, as they exited the hall, the Rebbe grabbed the Pozna Rav by the hand and began dancing with him in a spontaneous outburst of joy, as the Rebbe celebrated and expressed his amazement at the Torah revolution wrought by Shas Yiden.
Hagaon Harav Yisroel Meir Druk reading the letter of the Sar HatorahDancing on the DaisShas Yiden Avreichim Geonim seated at the Siyum Hagadol
The Angels are Dancing!
The participants were privileged to hear the inspiring and warm words of the great tzadik HaRav Elimelech Biderman, shlit”a, who has a special and close connection with Shas Yiden. In a dramatic speech, he described how the vision of the Pozna Rav some 13 years earlier developed “skin and bones, veins and sinews” in such an amazing manner that there are now almost 100 Shas Yiden, an almost unfathomable achievement.
“In the beginning, I thought that this developing of emesdike (true) Shas Yiden was an exaggeration,” Rav Biderman said in an interview. “Perhaps the avreichim don’t really know Shas, never mind the entire Shas. Who had ever heard of training large groups to know the entire Shas? However, after I personally sat with them and tested them, I saw that this was no exaggeration. Each of them knows Shas from beginning to end – the words of Shas are on their lips!”
Rav Biderman noted the hymn traditionally sung on Friday night that refers to Shabbat as “me’en Olam Haba – a taste of the World-to-Come,” and said, “Now, here at this time, the ministering angels in heaven, in honor of the Shas Yiden geonim, must be dancing and singing: ‘me’en olam hazeh – a taste of this world.’ These Shas Yiden have shown how it is possible to really rejoice with Hashem in this world. Even now, just to sit under the same roof with the Shas Yiden avreichim is to experience this world in the fullest sense of what this world could and should be.”
Other sages in attendance included: HaRav Shimon Badani, a member of Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah, and HaRav Binyamin Finkel, Mashgiach of the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem, both of whom addressed the gathering; HaRav Yerachmiel Ungarisher, Rosh Yeshiva of Bais Medrash Elyon; HaRav Moshe Shimon Edelstein, rav of Neot Yosef; HaRav Moshe ben Shimon, rav in Bnei Brak and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Or Elitzur; HaRav Chaim Peretz Berman, Rosh Yeshiva of Ponevezh; HaRav Shimon Galai of Kollel Taharos; HaRav Itamar Garbuz, Rosh Yeshiva of Orchot Torah; HaRav Chaim Feinstein, Rosh Yeshiva of Ateret Shlomo; HaRav Shevach Tzvi Rosenblatt, rav in Bnei Brak; and many others.
After spending many joyous hours together, the talmidei chachomim and geonim began dancing, expressing the genuine joy of Torah which is absorbed within the fiber of their beings. The prayer in the hearts of the Shas Yiden avreichim was, “Master of the world! Just as you enabled us to complete the Shas this year, so may You allow us to do so this coming year, and beyond. May the sacred words of the Torah never cease from our mouths and from those of our children, through all generations.”
Pozna Rov and Harav Yerachmiel Ungarisher (Beis Medrash Elyon) expressing his appreciation of the envelopes of cash gifts for the wives of the avreichimHageonim: Harav ChaimPeretz Berman, Ponevez; Harav Itamar Garbuz, Orchot Torah; Harav Yaakov Dovid Halberstam, Eidah Chareidis; Maran Harav Berel Povarsky, Rosh Yeshiva Ponevez; Pozna Rov
To watch the dynamic exam, receive more information about Shas Yiden, or to donate, please visit www.shasyiden.com, call 718-702-1528, or send a letter to 1274 49th Street #562, Brooklyn, NY 11219.
London: UK Registered Charity # 1191225 – 2 Timberwharf Road, London N16 6DB, England
Welcome to JDSA where your child will get an action-packed Summer 2022 filled with fun, adventure, and more, right in the heart of the community at our eleven-acre campus.
Our kids are constantly on the move, and you’ll see them smiling at every destination, be it American Dream Mall, Hershey Park, paintballing, baseball games, or jet skiing.
We have a great staff of dedicated rabbis, educators, professionals, and teachers, that will help build your child’s self- esteem, self-confidence, and resilience. Add to that our staff’s special emphasis on good middot and the love for doing hesed.
Great days start out on the right foot, with the boys attending morning prayers, followed by learning with their friends and familiar rabbis. Then come fun activities that all the campers look forward to, such as sports, special events, art, woodworking, and karate.
Dedicated to a Healthy and Safe Experience
Lunch and snacks at camp JDSA are healthy and nourishing to keep the fun going all day. We are a nut- free camp and all our products are Chalav Yisrael.
Camp meals are carefully selected from a team of community mothers and prepared to be both nutritious and delicious. Throughout each day, light snacks, ices, and refreshments are served.
Our on-site registered nurse and security guard always put the safety and well-being of our children as their number one priority.
Fun for Tots to Ninth Graders – We Do It All!
The JDSA goal is simple – to be a one-stop-shop when it comes to fun. We provide preschool camp for kids aged three to five, a day camp for kids in grades one through nine, pre-camps, post camps, after camp/school leagues, after camp learning, Sunday /Friday programs, night leagues, one-one-one sports training, school team sports training, tennis, and so much more. At JDSA we’re more than just a camp, we’re a family! A growing family,!
JDSA is proud and excited to announce the opening of their pre-school division “Camp Little Stars,” directed by Morah Erin Beda. Camp Little Stars is for campers aged three to five and is jam packed with awesome programming such as gymnastics, instructional swim, music, instructional sports, Zumba, and more! We offer our youngest campers the same awesome JDSA campgrounds, structure, and security.
