For the first time in its 68 year history, the annual siyum Mishnayos took place in Germany on Sunday.

Boys from across German-speaking Europe travelled to the capital for a weekend of activity. After months of preparation, the boys anxiously awaited being tested in advance of the siyum. They were hosted by Yeshivas Beis Zion, the main centre of Torah life in Germany today, and by the growing community of families living there, for a Shabbos packed with Torah study, singing and dancing. The tzibbur warmed to the delightful Kabolas Shabbos led by Cantor Rabbi Zsolt Balla, in the newly renovated Beis Midrash, and broke out in dance during the Carlbach-style davening.

The building was recently renovated, some seventy years after it was severly damaged on Kristallnacht, now humming with the sweet voices of the Tinnokos shel Beis Rabban, right in the heart of the city.

The siyum guests then enjoyed a special Shabbos seuda together with the bochrim of the Yeshiva and a number of local families in what was a truly memorable occasion. Rabbi Eliyahu Uzan, a special guest from Paris, time and again brought the crowd to song and dance throughout the unforgettable weekend.

Again at Shalosh Seudos the entire community regathered for another spiritually-charged occasion, with inspiring words from Rabbi Meir Roberg, the Menahel Ruchani of mosdos Lauder Yeshurun in Germany. He was a participant in the first siyum Mishnayos that took place in London in 1948, a decade after he and his family escaped to England from the southern German town of Wurzburg, where he was born.

On Sunday morning, the boys, by now all having successfully completed their tests, were treated to a trip to Berlin’s famous zoo, when, during the coach ride, many boys decided to cheekily interrupt Rabbi Uzan’s singing with an even louder response – a recital of the Mishnayos in Maseches Brochos which many had learned by heart and were now chanting in unison.

The Siyum on Sunday afternoon was another emotionally-charged affair, with many of the parents of the young participants in attendance to proudly witness the prize-giving ceremony of their children. A blessing was given from The Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Yoel Smith, where he quoted the Chazal that states that in a generation where Torah studay is weak, each person should strengthen his own learning and thereby receive the reward of everyone. He explained the seemingly difficult statement as meaning that each person who devotes himself to Torah study will automatically encourage those around him to also increase their interest, thereby bringing them to a greater love of Torah, for which he will have been the catalyst. So too the participants should go back to their communities and spread the love of learning.

Plans are already underway for the next annual siyum which is due to take place next summer in Berlin, after the great success of this inaugural event.

Click HERE for photos.

(Dovid Rose – YWN)