PHOTOS: Hagaon HaRav Kanievsky Makes Historic Visit To Shuvu Be’er Sheva

(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita made a historic visit to Beit Sefer Shuvu in Be’er Sheva. There was not a dry face during the emotional visit, after which the children sang ‘Ma Nishtana’ and one of the little ones told Maran “This is the first time my family is going to celebrate Seder night, and I am already 12, but this is the first time in my life I will recite Ma Nishtana.”

The flow of parents and others began before Maran’s arrival, with literally thousands making their way to the area near the school.

Rabbi Chaim Michael Gutterman, the director of the Shuvu network, called upon the audience to welcome the Maranan V’Rabbanan Shlita, members of the Presidium of Shuvu HaMashgiach HaGaon Rav Chaim Valkin HaGaon HaRav Bentzion HaKohen Kook and HaGaon HaRav Yehuda Koldotzky.

In his address, Rav Gutterman noted the merit of the Gedolim and the leadership of the Rabbonim of Shuvu who accompany the network during the entire year. This year, and we would like to hear the bracha of our teacher, the Mashgiach Shlita, who is the head of the Rabbinical Council of Shuvu, and who is deeply involved in the network.

Rav Valkin spoke briefly, praising the work of Shuvu and its leaders, including Maran Rav Kanievsky, who made the effort to participate in the event. The arrival of Rav Kanievsky undoubtedly represented the climax of the evening, as thousands of talmidim from Shuvu along with their parents sang to welcome him. HaGaon Rav Yosef Chaim Batzri, a rav in Be’er Sheva led the crowd in the recitation of ברוך שחלק מחכמתו ליראיו.

Rav Bentzion Kook, head of Beis Hora’ah Klalli and a member of the Shuvu network, recited Maran’s bracha to the children, explaining the magnitude of the event, that Rav Kanievsky visited to give the talmidim a bracha. Rav Kook then spoke with the talmidim about Pesach.

The talmidim then stood and greeted Rav Kanievsky with song, followed by a 12-year-old telling Rav Kanievsky in an emotional tone that he and his family are going to observe Seder night for a first time in his life, this year. The young talmid credit Shuvu for this accomplishment.

At the end of the program, the thousands of talmidim and parents waited for the distribution of matzos and wine as they also received a bracha from the Mashgiach Rav Valkin, Rav Kook and Rav Kodolsky, with each child receiving an individual bracha.