Community Magazine September 2012

The music was lively, the dancing feverish. Hand-in-hand, men who knew each other well, swayed in sync with those who did not know each other at all, jumping, clapping and spinning around in circles. Wave after wave of ecstatic dancers filled every empty space in the massive venue, pulsating with the joy of Torah. It was the culmination of seven and a half years of toil, a celebration of the stupendous accomplishment shared by so many, the reveling in the unparalleled pleasure of learning Gemara (the oral Torah). Over the course of 2,711 consecutive days, through joyous times and tragic events. transcending the boundaries of time and space, the goal was attained. Every morning, every evening, daily, without fail, men committed to the Daf Yomi sit down to the work of unraveling the intricacies of the Talmud, mustering all their concentration and brainpower to uncover the Divine meaning contained therein. This is not merely an exercise of analytical skills, or even a study in Jewish Law; this is bonding with the Creator of the Universe. The Stadium That Became a Sanctuary And after years of anticipation and preparation, on August 1, 2012, it all came together. Over 90,000 Jews gathered at Met Life Stadium in New Jersey’s Meadowlands, to proclaim our undying love and deep-seated commitment to Gd. The Siyum of the 12 th cycle of the daf yomi was celebrated by all walks of Jewish life. Hassidim, Ashkenazim and Sepharadim of all stripes and colors and from every origin and background, all came to participate in the celebration of the Jewish Nation . The evening began with a heartfelt Minha prayer, after which Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel of America, launched the program with his opening remarks, then turning the podium over to the event’s chairman, Mr. Elly Kleinman. Mr. Kleinman shared an inspiring story of self-sacrifice for the sake of Torah, and emphasized the central importance of Torah study in Jewish life. His address was followed by a video tribute to Mr. Jerome Schottenstein, a.h. , in whose memory the evening was dedicated. The evening’smaster of ceremonies,Mr. ShlomoYehudaRechnitz, then took the stage to introduce Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky, shlita , Rosh Yeshivat Philadelphia. Rabbi Kamenetzky spoke of the sense of community that is integral to the experience of Torah learning. The Rosh Yeshiva noted that the Torah was not given to the Patriarchs, or to Yaakov’s twelve sons; the gift of Torah was brought into the world only once the nation stood as one at the foot of Mount Sinai. As such, we must bear in mind that when we learn, we do so not only for ourselves, but for all of the nation of Israel. Rabbi Kaminetzky also urged everyone to expand the scope of their learning, a call which was echoed throughout the night. He said that his illustrious father, Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky, z.s.l. , would demand of those who completed the Daf Yomi cycle to commit to a higher level of learning for the next cycle, and to constantly strive to improve the quality and standards of their study. Celebrating Torah and Unity SIYUM HASHAS RABBI YEHUDA BEYDA at the Photo: Morris Antebi 40 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE