A ray of hope for the Torah world was seen far and wide on Sunday, as thousands of yidden throughout Eretz Yisroel, North America, Europe and beyond took part in the majestic “Kinnus Ha’Adir Lichvod Lomdei Torah” at Binyanei Ha’uma in Yerushalayim.

The threat looming over bnei Torah in Eretz Yisroel needs no elaboration, but the Kinnus was permeated by achdus, resolve and a genuine appreciation of the beauty of Torah and those who learn it. The large dais was graced by the premier, senior most gedolim of all community sectors in Eretz Yisroel, a reflection of the diverse thousands of bnei Torah that filled the hall or partook in the event at one of the dozens of satellite locations around the world.

Majestic optics and a large professional band and choir enriched the program and its spirit, but nothing impressed as much as the spiritual electricity in the air. The Kinnus was organized by the Dirshu organization, and featured a Siyum on Maseches Eruvin and a tribute to Maran HaGaon HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l in honor of his yartzeit.

HaGaon HaRav Asher Weiss, shlita, concluded Maseches Eruvin with heartfelt words of appreciation for all the work that Dirshu does in order to enhance the quantity, quality and spirit of bnei Torah. He also spoke about the “nefesh” – the soul – that Torah has, which can connect to each yid, and spoke of how Harav Elyashiv’s life served as the quintessential lesson in building a relationship with Torah. The gadol hador’s sons, Harav Moshe, shlita, and Harav Binyomin Elyashiv, shlita, recited Kaddish and commenced the learning of Maseches Pesachim, respectively.

With his quintessential originality and insight, Rav Dovid Hofstedter, founder and Nasi of Dirshu, tied the concept of Eruvin with the situation in Eretz Yisroel today. He observed that Eruvin is a somewhat contradictory concept, beginning with a prohibition for neighbors to carry to each other’s properties, followed by the ability to unite them through an Eruv and permit carrying. He explained that true peace and achdus can only be achieved once clear boundaries have been implemented.

Rav Hofstedter then tackled the situation, where the cherished Torah lifestyle of Lomdei Torah is being attacked by those who seek to blur the lines of society. Much focus has been placed on defeating those on the attack, but he then urged introspection: “Perhaps we should look at ourselves and ask whether we were perhaps lacking the proper respect for Torah?”

Following these words, a special letter from HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Ponovezh, in honor of the gathering was read, where he extolled attendees to strengthen their Torah learning.

All eyes were trained on the dais as HaGaon HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman, shlita, HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Auerbach, shlita, and other senior gedolim arrived and took their seats, to the thunderous applause, song and music.

HaGaon HaRav Shalom Cohen, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Porat Yosef and one of the most prominent Sefardic gedolim, then took to the podium and discussed the lofty level that a yid reaches when he maximizes his toil in Torah. “Hashem doesn’t count Dafim; he counts hours,” HaRav Cohen exclaimed.

HaRav Auerbach addressed the crowd and spoke about our work during the current period of mourning over the Bais Hamikdash and how chizuk in Torah and Tefillah helps bring us closer to Hashem and the third Bais Hamikdash. “We should focus on the penimi’us of this gathering, which is a chizuk for maintaining the Torah as well as in bein odom l’chaveiro,” he remarked.

The Sanz Klausenburger Rebbe of Netanya, shlita, discussed the rare stringency of bedikas chametz and bi’ur chametz, where every morsel of chametz must be destroyed by fire. He explained that this is because chametz symbolizes the yetzer hora; negative forces must be destroyed without compromise, and the fire of Torah is the only way to accomplish that. “Every bit of Torah that is learned by each individual is a fire in shamayim,” he summed up.

HaGaon HaRav Aryeh Finkel, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Mir-Brachfeld, was visibly emotional as he discussed the need for klal Yisroel to transform the curses r”l we’re now facing into berachos. HaRav Finkel expounded upon how Bilaam abandoned his desire to curse once he realized the holiness and tznius of the Jewish lifestyle. The Rosh Yeshiva spoke of how the modern day culture and its technological tools have the ability to erode our traditional holiness. “Distance yourselves from the filth,” he cried out, “and the beracha will automatically follow.”

Loud singing of the words of “Od yenuvun beseva…” was heard throughout the crowd as HaRav Shteinman delivered his perspectives on our obligations in light of the realities. HaRav Shteinman noted that one cannot perform material needs, such as eating and drinking, on behalf of another person. Nor can one be yotzei a mitzvah with a physical requirement, such as wearing Tefillin, by the actions of another person.

On the other hand, HaRav Shteinman explained that Torah has a unique quality where one yid directly affects the other. It is a communal responsibility and a supporter of Torah has a great share in all that is learned by the person he supports. “Without Torah, chas v’shalom, there is no kiyum to klal Yisroel – or the world,” HaRav Shteinman exclaimed.

A letter written by the Viznitzer Rebbe, shlita, where he urged the growth of Torah learning, was then read aloud. HaGaon HaRav Azriel Auerbach, shlita, son-in-law of HaRav Elyashiv, concluded the event by remembering his father-in-law’s greatness and how his life’s mission of learning Torah with joy can be made into a top goal for the future.

More than just the historic rich program in Eretz Yisroel, the crowds at satellite location in major North American communities were inspired by prominent live local speakers. The event in Lakewood had the merit of hearing from the Rosh Yeshiva, HaGaon HaRav Malkiel Kotler, shlita, who expounded on the positive effect that Torah learning has on a yid’s character, and how starkly that differs from the negative character found amongst those engrossed in other chochmos. “We know that universities are filled with depravity,” he exclaimed. “In Eretz Yisroel, they’re looking to force Lomdei Torah to slowly move out of the Bais Medrash – into the army and universities.”

Harav Kotler concluded with a beracha that the chizuk derived from all the Torah that has been learned should help klal Yisroel overcome these negative efforts.

The limited space in this article cannot do justice to this enormous event. Comprehensive coverage will iy”H be featured in next week’s publications.

(YWN – Studio B)