Rabbi Raphael Netanel

The exhilaration of the 13^th global Siyum HaShas, and the dramatic scene of 90,000 people dancing jubilantly in MetLife stadium – along with thousands more in Barclays Center and at numerous large gatherings throughout the world – has had a profound impact upon Jews everywhere. The joy and excitement surrounding the completion of the Talmud has inspired us all, and has driven us to commit ourselves to advance in our Torah study.

In an attempt to harness this newly reignited passion for Torah, Agudath Israel of America has launched a wonderful initiative under the title Ki Hem Hayenu (“For They are Our Lives”), whereby communities take upon themselves various learning programs. While the programs all differ from one another, they nevertheless will bind the Jewish People together in the joint, concentrated effort to grow in Torah learning.

The rabbis of our community conceived of a beautiful way to capitalize on the excitement generated by the recent Siyum for the sake of promoting Torah learning. Rabbi Meyer Yedid, in partnership with over 40 other rabbis from the community, have launched a program called Amud Weekly, which involves the study of one amud – one side of a page of Talmud – each week.

This program is tailormade for those who wish to study Talmud at a slower pace than the daily Daf Yomi system. Perhaps even more importantly, Amud Weekly seeks to bring together the entire community, from those opening a Gemara for the first time, to experienced and advanced students. Classes will be taught in virtually every community synagogue, on a variety of levels, ensuring that every community member will be able to find the framework that is right for him.

A special website – AmudWeekly.com – has been created to widen the reach of this exciting initiative. The website offers the following features:

• Live broadcasts of Amud Weekly classes, and recordings of past classes;
• Recordings explaining every Tosafot;
• An up-to-date list of Amud Weekly classes in the community;
• A precise calendar of the learning schedule;
• A special hazarah (review) system to encourage review of the material;
• A weekly, in-depth “be’iyun” class, delving into the intricate details and discussions of the commentators surrounding that week’s page;
• A special print-out for Shabbat.
• A ten-minute video breaking down that week’s page into six daily segments.

Amud Weekly offers the opportunity to not only expand and deepen one’s Torah knowledge, but also to bring together the entire community. Wherever one goes and meets other community members, they can immediately bond over the material they are both studying. The program is perfectly suited for fathers and sons, friends, neighbors, or even perfect strangers who happen to meet in a waiting room, in an airport, at a simcha, on a train, or anywhere else.

What makes Amud Weekly so special is that the pace of study makes it perfect for people of all backgrounds. For beginners, Amud Weekly offers a far slower, more manageable pace than Daf Yomi, allowing them to gradually and patiently hone their skills. For experienced students of Daf Yomi, Amud Weekly is the perfect way to supplement their Daf Yomi learning by devoting some extra time to mastering one amud each week.  And for advanced scholars, Amud Weekly is the perfect way to focus on, and delve into, a specific piece of Gemara every week, thus allowing them to combine breadth with depth.

The founders of Amud Weekly and its devoted team of teachers and volunteers invite all community members to come together through this exciting undertaking, through which they access the unparalleled merit of talmud Torah derabim – communal Torah study, which will, no doubt, elevate our entire community to greater heights of Torah knowledge and Torah devotion.

For more information about the Amud Weekly program, please visit amudweekly.com.

Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

The 15^th day of Shevat, Tu B’Shvat, is called the New Year for Trees. Strictly speaking, this title draws a legal distinction related to the laws of tithing in the Land of Israel. Tithes must be separated from any produce grown in Israel before it may be eaten. In a given year, the fruit taken as tithe from one tree may represent the owner’s other trees of the same species. However, one year’s fruit may not be tithed for another year’s harvest.

Tradition teaches the new year for fruit begins on the fifteenth of Shevat, because most of the winter rains will have passed and the sap of the new growth has begun to flow: the dormant tree is waking from its winter sleep. A tree that blossoms before Tu B’Shvat is considered last year’s produce; if it blossoms after Tu B’Shvat, it belongs to the new year.

Other than the day’s significance for tithing, there is no source in the Talmud or Midrash for celebrating Tu B’Shvat. Yet, from later sources we find many customs regarding the celebration of Tu B’Shvat: the practice of eating various fruits; the custom of dressing in one’s Shabbat finery for the new year for trees, because the Torah compares the human being to a tree (Devarim 20:19).

Let us examine the comparison between man and trees in order to understand the message on Tu B’Shvat for humankind.

The tree goes through cycles in its life. The heavy-laden tree of summer empties itself of fruit in the autumn, and then slowly loses its leaves, one by one. By winter time, the tree stands shorn of its previous glory. For all purposes, it appears to have died.

But then comes Tu B’Shvat. In the midst of the cold winter days, when all vegetation seems frozen or dead, the sap of the tree starts to flow beneath the surface bark. Rising slowly from roots buried in the hardened soil, the sap pushes its way up, pumping new life into outstretched branches that reach towards the heavens.

In life, we too often go through cycles of growth. Periods of renewal and growth may alternate with times of stagnation or dormancy. Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe cites that this cycle is part of man’s nature. He adds that a person must not become disillusioned when spiritual growth seems halted; the “low” period will usually be followed by a “high” period that will yield new opportunities for growth.

That is the message of Tu B’Shvat: Even when we feel lethargic, in a rut, and seem to have lost the drive to achieve, we must not despair. Just as winter is an annual hiatus in the life cycle of trees, so bouts of lethargy and unproductivity are necessary phases in the human cycle. Just as with the coming of spring, life-giving sap moves imperceptibly through the trees to branches stretching to the sky, so we too will have renewed energy from deep within our spiritual reservoirs, so long as we set our goal heavenward.

Proper Care and Maintenance Required

There is another message in the New Year for Trees. There is a difference between trees and annual plants. Although trees require some regular maintenance, they produce fruit each year without any new planting. Plants and vegetables, on the other hand, must be reseeded each year in order to grow.

If a tree is not given proper care, however, it will die. Man is like the tree. With good maintenance, we need not start over from the very beginning with each goal we set for ourselves. We can build on past accomplishments to go even further. But, as with the tree, we require the proper care to avoid spiritual damage and to grow anew.

Tu B’Shvat inspires us to remember our similarity to the tree. We must be careful to protect ourselves, in order to strive towards greater achievements without having to constantly start over again from scratch.

Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum is the founder and director of the Jewish Learning Connection, an outreach organization in Cleveland, Ohio. This article was an adopted excerpt from his book, Powerlines: Insights and Reflections on the Jewish Holidays, published by Targum Press.

Is the recent rise in anti-Semitism something to worry about?

Absolutely! How could we not worry about it?

But we have to know that there is a fundamental reason why it’s happening – because Hashem is worried about us. We’re too involved in gentile ideas, and so there is a need to erect a wall. That wall is anti-Semitism. This happens again and again throughout history – when Jews start getting lost among gentiles, it’s time for the gentiles to begin building a wall to prevent that.

The first reaction to anti-Semitism should NOT be to contribute to the organizations that combat anti-Semitism. No, no! In most cases, those organizations cause anti-Semitism. The way to combat anti-Semitism is to build more yeshivot where children will be accepted for lower, more affordable tuition. The yeshivot should be so prosperous that they should be able to afford to accept children almost for nothing. That’s the ideal. The Jewish child, sitting in the yeshiva, will then be the one fighting against anti-Semitism in the most effective manner.

What is the best way to console a mourner when paying a shivah call?

The best thing you can do to provide comfort to a mourner is to come and show yourself. That’s the consolation. Just honoring him by coming –  that’s already a consolation.

If the mourner is really broken, then you have to use words that are suited to the occasion. But you cannot give one prescription that suits everybody. If a person is of a philosophical bent, then you talk to him about Olam Haba [the next world] and about this world being only a temporary place; you can talk about how a man who deserves reward was taken by Gd to Gan Eden, and he is enjoying all the great promises that Gd promised to those who serve Him. Whatever it is, there are ways and means of consoling each person according to his level of intelligence.

Some people are obtuse; they’re not intelligent, so you can’t tell them anything. So, all you can say is, “How are you, cousin Jake?” That’s all you can say. Actually, you shouldn’t say, “How are you,” because this is a greeting which one may not extend to a mourner (see Yoreh Dei’ah 385:1). But you can speak to him about ordinary things, and that’s the only consolation you can give him. So, it all depends on his level of intelligence.

Is the recent rise in anti-Semitism something to worry about?

Absolutely! How could we not worry about it?

But we have to know that there is a fundamental reason why it’s happening – because Hashem is worried about us. We’re too involved in gentile ideas, and so there is a need to erect a wall. That wall is anti-Semitism. This happens again and again throughout history – when Jews start getting lost among gentiles, it’s time for the gentiles to begin building a wall to prevent that.

The first reaction to anti-Semitism should NOT be to contribute to the organizations that combat anti-Semitism. No, no! In most cases, those organizations cause anti-Semitism. The way to combat anti-Semitism is to build more yeshivot where children will be accepted for lower, more affordable tuition. The yeshivot should be so prosperous that they should be able to afford to accept children almost for nothing. That’s the ideal. The Jewish child, sitting in the yeshiva, will then be the one fighting against anti-Semitism in the most effective manner.

What is the best way to console a mourner when paying a shivah call?

The best thing you can do to provide comfort to a mourner is to come and show yourself. That’s the consolation. Just honoring him by coming –  that’s already a consolation.

If the mourner is really broken, then you have to use words that are suited to the occasion. But you cannot give one prescription that suits everybody. If a person is of a philosophical bent, then you talk to him about Olam Haba [the next world] and about this world being only a temporary place; you can talk about how a man who deserves reward was taken by Gd to Gan Eden, and he is enjoying all the great promises that Gd promised to those who serve Him. Whatever it is, there are ways and means of consoling each person according to his level of intelligence.

Some people are obtuse; they’re not intelligent, so you can’t tell them anything. So, all you can say is, “How are you, cousin Jake?” That’s all you can say. Actually, you shouldn’t say, “How are you,” because this is a greeting which one may not extend to a mourner (see Yoreh Dei’ah 385:1). But you can speak to him about ordinary things, and that’s the only consolation you can give him. So, it all depends on his level of intelligence.

Esther P.

Attending the 13^th Siyum HaShas in MetLife Stadium is not an easy experience to put into words. And yet, to let the memories fade without capturing them and preserving them would be a missed opportunity. So, I will attempt to convey some of the inspiration I felt in the hopes that it will not be lost, but will continue to touch and motivate us for as long as we can hold on to it.

You might ask why is this event so challenging to portray? The simple answer is because it was a larger than life experience. The 90,000-seat stadium was full of Jews who gathered together for the purpose of celebrating the achievement of thousands of individuals. These individuals span the globe, and have completed the journey through Shas in seven and a half years. Each one of those people undertook the commitment to learn Torah every day without exception, toiled and persevered, and then realized the completion of this monumental task. While this would be a cause for celebration had just one individual reached this milestone, when multiplied by the multitudes who completed learning all of Shas, the celebration became magnified on a universal scale.

Celebrating Torah and Jewish Unity

Since the study of gemara is an assignment unique to men, I have neither completed Shas nor learned one masechet. I have not even learned one daf. But the celebration belonged to me in a very real way because I am a member of the Jewish people, whose essence and lifeblood is Torah. The Siyum HaShas was not only a source of joy for the ones who made the siyum. The nation united to proclaim that our identity is Torah. Torah is our happiness, our pride, and our life. That message belongs to every Jew, whether he or she is a member of the Daf Yomi movement or not, and the message of Jewish unity provided by Torah learning is a real reason to rejoice.

To me, the single most inspiring aspect of the Siyum HaShas was the sheer number of people who showed up in the cold in the middle of the day. Attending this event meant either taking time off from work or school or spending a precious vacation day, driving out to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, and sitting outdoors in the cold for hours. Yet the 90,000-seat stadium was not large enough to accommodate everyone who wanted to participate. When the event coordinators saw that the tickets were selling out fast, they opened another venue to hold an additional 30,000 celebrants who did not want to miss the opportunity to be part of the historical event. Because an occasion that acknowledges who we are as a people is not one to ignore.

Upon entering the stadium, one felt the anticipation and energy palpably. Men, women, and children of all ages and all walks of life were coming together for a bonding celebration that would serve to unite us all. Every mesayem was completing the same Talmud, at the same time, in the same place. After R’ Shmuel Kamenetzky completed the last few lines of the last masechet and recited the Hadran prayer with deep emotion, the entire stadium erupted in exultant singing and dancing. From the rabbis on the dais to the attendees on the floor and throughout the stands, there was a genuine, pulsating exhilaration that fused everyone together and made everyone feel part of a larger whole. Live hookups to locations all over the world were projected on screens, which showed Jews dancing and celebrating the siyum.. Everywhere there was dancing of triumph, of pride, and of unity.

Spotlight on Jewish Survival

It was also a testament to the survival of our nation. Although we have been persecuted and attacked throughout the generations, we are very much alive. Not just alive in body, but alive in spirit and soul. Interviews were shown with Holocaust survivors expressing their wonder at the vibrancy of the Jewish people, who have experienced the worst suffering but have prevailed and rebuilt Torah all over the world. The fact that we as a nation have reached this milestone is nothing short of miraculous.

A Deep Feeling of Connection

The program continued into the evening and culminated with thousands of Jews praying Arbit together. There was deep intensity as they loudly proclaimed Shema Yisrael together and answered Kaddish as one entity. But when everyone stood up and prayed the silent Amidah, the silence was deep and profound, as each participant connected with the Creator of the world on his own personal level.

And that was really the theme of the day. That each individual has a distinct role to play in the structure of our people, and that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The accomplishments of an individual are exponentially more valuable when combined with the achievements of many, many others who are all carrying out the will of the same Father and who are following the principles of the same Torah. When we reach that awareness and that goal, it is indeed a cause for a celebration on the scale of the Siyum HaShas.

Frieda Schweky

Imagine an event at a sports stadium filled to capacity with over 92,000 people, where not even one disturbance or altercation occurred throughout an entire day. It hardly seems possible! But on Jan 1st, 2020, at the 13th Siyum HaShas celebration held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, that’s exactly what happened.

Anti-Semitic Attacks Spur Expanded Security Detail

Due to the recent increase in  anti-Semitic attacks in the NYC area, the event required massive security, far above what was required previously. The event celebrated the completion of the Daf Yomi learning program, whereby participants around the world learn the same page of Talmud every day for a cycle lasting roughly seven-and-a-half years. Many in the crowd were celebrating their own completion of Shas. Others came as an expression of achdut, to experience the celebration with fellow Jews, and to show honor to the Torah. In the crowd were chief rabbis, prominent community leaders, politicians, and other dignitaries. An estimated 350,000 take part in learning Daf Yomi around the world. The celebration at MetLife Stadium was broadcast live to over 20 countries, where similar celebrations were taking place simultaneously. Even nearby in Brooklyn, the Barclays Center was packed with Jews watching the siyum held at MetLife live via satellite.

Law Enforcement Out in Force

Preparations for the siyum at MetLife began two years prior,  and the security and safety preparations began months in advance. David Heskiel, Police Chaplain, NYPD Clergy Liaison, and special Liaison for Councilman Chaim Deutsch, was involved in the planning and coordinating of the security team for the siyum held at MetLife. David worked closely with the New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan and state police brass. Additionally, David joined the FBI special agent in charge of Newark NJ, Gregory W. Ehrie, in working out security details.  NJ Homeland Security Director Jared Maples also played a key role in the security detail. Approximately fifty different law enforcement agencies were involved in protecting the participants at the siyum.

Over 350 uniformed NJ state troopers were inside MetLife Stadium during the event. Many were stationed at all the exists, and directed traffic on what they called “siyum detail.” A large number of Hatzalah members were present at the siyum, and ambulances fully stocked and prepared for emergencies were standing by. Agents from the FBI were also on duty to ensure everyone’s safety. The head FBI agent looked on and took pictures in amazement, telling David he was eager to show and tell his wife about this amazing experience. He also said he had never seen anything like this in his lifetime and he was very moved.

Siyum Sparks Kiddush Hashem

People who have worked in the stadium for years were amazed by the orderly and gracious behavior of all the participants throughout the event. It is rare, if not unheard of, that an event of this size was pulled off without any  fights or disturbances whatsoever. During prayers, the crowd was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Chabad emissaries were on their usual mission to find any Jew who had not donned tefillin that morning. They actually managed to find a couple of men who had not, and helped them do so.

You may have heard the story of the NJ state trooper who pulled over a Jew the day after the siyum, asked if he had learned his page yet, and told him if he promised to complete learning the page he would send him off with a warning instead of a ticket., But  many may not have heard the following story: Two years before the Siyum HaShas at MetLife, Sol Werdiger, Chairman of the Board at Agudath Israel, was at the stadium  in order to reserve it for January 1, 2020. There with Mr. Werdiger were two secular Jews, the owner of the stadium and the man who built it. The builder told the other two that he just had to get something off his chest. He admitted that after taking ten years to build such a stadium, his work seemed futile. The arena would be used for people to have a few beers and watch a game, nothing very significant at all. He declared that now he knew Gd’s plan and intent for him in building this arena was in order for this very event to take place. He said it brought meaning to what he does and brought him happiness as well. Mr. Werdiger was stunned to hear this from a secular Jew. It was totally unexpected, and so very meaningful.

Siyum HaShas Brings Honor to the King

When the organizers of the siyum first considered where to hold the main event, they were concerned about staging it outside during the chilling East Coast winter. One proposal was to hold the main siyum simultaneously in five different indoor venues in New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, with live hook-ups between them. However, the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel decided to hold the main siyum in one place, based on the principle of b’rov am hadrat melech, that Gd’s honor is increased when a large number of Jews gather in the same place. Indeed, the 13^th Siyum HaShas was a testimony to Gd’s honor and to honoring Torah learning. Baruch Hashem, the celebration concluded with not only an absence of fighting or disturbances, but with not even one emergency.

Rabbi David Ozeri speaking at the siyum in Los Angeles.

Our community rabbis were asked to speak and give hizuk to thousands of people at various siyumim across the country.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

On January 5, over 2,000 men and women from Los Angeles’s Jewish communities gathered to celebrate the Siyum HaShas. Agudath Israel of California, headed by new Executive Director Rabbi Yisroel Gelb and longtime Chairman Dr. Irving Lebovics, organized the event. Rabbi David Ozeri was the keynote speaker.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Rabbi Meyer Yedid addressing the crowd at the Siyum HaShas celebration in Chicago.

The Siyum HaShas in Chicago was a tremendous success, with an attendance of about 3,500 people. Rabbi Meyer Yedid inspired the crowd with divrei hizuk. Rav Shmuel Fuerst, Dayan for Agudath Israel of Illiniois, was mesayem Shas, using a Masechet Niddah printed in the DP camps that belonged to Mr. Nachi Shabat.

MONTREAL, CANADA

Rabbi Joey Haber at the podium at the Siyum HaShas in Montreal.

Over 1,600 men and women from Jewish communities across Montreal gathered in an unprecedented display of unity. Rav Yonatan Binyomin Weiss, Chief Rabbi of Montreal, delivered divrei beracha, and Rabbi Joey Haber electrified the audience with a most powerful message.