If one thinks of the April gathering in Brooklyn  of over a thousand boys for Pirchei Agudas Yisroel of America’s 47th Annual National Siyum Mishnayos, al sheim Horav Yehoshua Silbermintz, z”l as a sumptuous “seudah of nachas,” then dessert was served this past Sunday.

The more recent event was much smaller, but impressive in its own way.  At Agudas Yisroel of Madison, in Flatbush, Brooklyn, 36 boys – 26 of whom were accompanied by their families – were honored for their having completed the study of the entire Shisha Sidrei Mishna in honor of their Bar Mitzvahs. 

The boys, who hailed from a variety of communities not only throughout New York and New Jersey but also from Georgia, Maryland, Michigan and Pennsylvania and Montreal, each received a Shas in recognition of their impressive accomplishment.

The boys and their parents were warmly welcomed by Rabbi Ephraim Levi, national director of Pirchei Agudas Yisroel of America, who recalled how many more boys today – not only those present – undertake to learn Shisha Sidrei Mishna; and how it all began when, many years ago, the legendary Rabbi Yehoshua Silbermintz zt”l approached one of his Pirchim and offered to by him a Shas if he undertook to complete Shas Mishnayos for his bar mitzvah.

Divrei chizuk were offered by Rabbi Yoseph Harari-Raful, Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivat Ateret Torah and Chaver of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, who encouraged the mesayemim to climb further in Torah and begin to learn the Gemara of Shas Bavli.  Rabbi Raful noted to the boys that receiving a Shas for completing Shisha Sidrei Mishna was a perfectly fitting reward for their achievement, and he was mevorech those in attendance to merit to complete the Gemara of Shas.

Earlier, greetings were extended by Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, executive vice president of Agudath Israel of America, who took pride on behalf of Agudas Yisroel for its great merit to be the achsanya for the Siyum Mishnayos and the award event. Rabbi Zwiebel also expressed his amazement at the fact that, with all the nisyonos young bochurim face today, Pirchei boys view limud haTorah as their main concern.  This, he said, is a tribute to parents who have successfully transmitted the mesora they received from their own parents.

In addition to a Shas, each boy received a beautiful commemorative framed painting of the hadran, designed by celebrated artist Yonah Weinreb.

After the presentation, Rabbi Levi noted how past such presentations have inspired boys, and likely many of this year’s mesaymim, to undertake their own goal of completing the study of Mishneh by their Bar Mitzvah. 

“Just think of boys who will hear or read about today’s event,” said the Pirchei director.  “I think many wonderful resolutions will be made out there.  May they be a great z’chus for Klal Yisroel.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)