WRITING THE FINAL LETTERS OF THE SEFER TORAH, IN MEMORY OF R’ ELYASHIV Z”TZL

                                                                        A POIGNANT OCCASION

It was a very exciting and uplifting Shabbos for those who learn and daven at Tiferet Bachurim, the “Caravan,” the Bet Midrash of R’ Elayshiv ztz”l – his second yahrzeit fell on Shabbos, Parashas Masai. This Bet Midrash, which was built especially for the Rav, is where he davened during the last decade of his life.

On leil Shabbos, one of the Rav’s grandsons brought facts about the purity in which the Rav lived his life. He noted that when the Rav heard about wrongdoings, he would do his best to try and resolve the issues, even when he was not requested to do so.

Shabbos morning, after the tefillah, HaGaon Rav Aryeh Elyashiv shlita, the Rav’s faithful grandson led a siyum. Kaddish was said by the Rav’s son, HaGaon Rav Moshe Elyashiv shlita, the Rav ofTiferet Bachurim.

The community was invited to a festive Kiddush, where they heard words of chizuk, as well as accounts of Maran’s unique deeds and conduct. R’ David Kletzky shlita, the Ba’al Tefillah, added to the atmosphere with shira in honor of the Torah and the Shabbos, as well as sharing unique facts, which kept the audience spellbound.

A siyum also took place in the “old” Bet Midrash Tiferet Bachurim in Meah Shearim by Rav Yehoshua Nemirovsky shlita. Afterwards, a mishniyos shiur was given by the Rosh Kollel, HaGaon Rav Binyamin David Elyashiv, the son of Maran ztz”l. HaGaon Rav Avraham Elyashiv, Maran’s grandson spoke as well. He said that even though Maran ztz”l sat in a corner and by nature would have stayed there, he became world famous and all of Klal Yisrael learned his Torah.

There were several shiurim and divrei chizuk given Shabbos afternoon, by Maran’s students. The first shiur was given by R’ Moshe Elyashiv and then another by R’ Efrati. Afterwards mishnayoswere learned by Maran’s grandsons and students, followed by seuda shlishis, where facts about the Rav being ma’avir al haMidos were told. They also spoke in memory of Maran’s son R’ Avraham Elyashiv z”tzl, who passed away this year.

The End of the Writing of the Sefer Torah

After havdallah, the honored Rabbanim began writing the final letters of the Sefer Torah in memory of R’ Yosef Sholom Elyashiv z”tzl. The writing of this Sefer Torah was organized by R’ Yirmiyohu Abramov and his family, as a project to increase tznius in am Yisrael. Every letter symbolizes the decision to learn and improve in the halachos of modesty taken on by women and girls, in accordance with the Beis HaDin, Mishmar HaTorah. In return for their undertaking and donation, they each received a letter in this Sefer Torah and a bracha from R’ Chaim Kanievskyshlita. Rav Elyashiv’s family was present, along with Roshei Yeshivot, Admorim and public figures.

Before the event began, Tehillim and the prayer Acheinu Kol Bet Yisrael were led by the ba’al tefillah, R’ Yitzchak Levine shlita. There was a lot of excitement in the room when HaGaon Rav Yitzchak Shiner shlita arrived, Rosh Yeshiva of Kaminetz, and a member of the Moetzet G’dolei HaTorah, who despite his weakness, was moser nefesh – he came to take part in this grand event and write a letter in the Sefer Torah, in memory of Maran ztz”l.

The Thursday before, the Sefer Torah was taken to homes of G’dolei Yisrael in Bnei Brak – Maran HaGaon Rav Aryeh Leib Steiman shlita, Maran HaGaon Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlita, HaGaon Rav Yitzchak Zilbertstein shlita and others took part in the writing of the letters.

 

The first speaker at the Sefer Torah ceremony in the “Caravan” was the Rosh Yeshiva of Hevron, HaGaon HaGadol R’ David Cohen shlita, member of the Moetzes G’dolei HaTorah. He explained that just as a Sefer Torah is written on klaf and all of the Torah she’bichtav appears there – if one letter is missing, it is pasul. So too, Maran ztz”l knew the Torah in totality, without anything missing or deficient – and he had the answers to everything. He described the overwhelming fear that people felt before entering the room of Maran ztz”l – and the simcha they felt afterwards, when they walked out with a clear decision. So yearly on the yahrzeit, we are reminded that due to his absence, all this is absent.

 

The next speaker was Maran’s son in law, HaGaon Rav Binyamin Rimmer shlita, Rosh Yeshiva Kiryat Melech. He described with great emotion, how Maran would sit and learn Torah, above limitations of time or place and could be seen on him the words of Tana Rebbi Meir in Avos: Zoche L’Devarim Harbei.

Hagaon R’ Moshe Shapiro shlita compared the status of Maran ztz”l to the first tablets – all which took place at Ma’amad Har Sinai was included in the tablets. All the questions in Torah that were asked were answered there. Therefore we cry. Even though we don’t eulogize more than twelve months, here we eulogize the broken tablets – and until there are new ones, we will continue to eulogize the absence of Maran ztz”l.

HaGaon Rav Yosef Efrati, shlita Rosh Beit HaMidrash L’Halacha B’Hityashvut – Emunat I”sh, brought the pasuk from Chazal: Chavivah Torah Al Lomdeah, k’yom sh’nitna m’Sinai – that Maran ztz”l explained that for those who learn Torah, it is important specifically that it remains the same as it was on the day it was received on Sinai – with no change.

He then proceeded to praise the holiness of the Abramov family, who dedicate themselves to kiruv rechokim and kiruv krovim – all without making any changes in the Torah and Hashkafa. “How beautiful is the combination of the contributors of this Sefer Torah, this place and this time of the completion of the Sefer Torah.”

The organizer of the Sefer Torah, HaRav HaGaon Rabbi Yirmiyahu Abramov shlita said that in spite of Maran’s busy learning schedule – in order to correct and help the public – he made himself available to discuss the sensitive subject of modesty. He would sit patiently and guide us, as necessary. He described Maran’s great pain when he became aware of the need for improvement in modesty among many from the Charedi community.

Before the final letters were written in the Sefer Torah, HaGaon Rav Aryeh Elyashiv shlita, described the hakafos which took place in the Beit Midrash with Maran ztz”l on the last Simchas Torah of his life. “There was great simcha and great yirah that is impossible to express – whoever was present will never forget the experience.”

The tefillah kel maleh Rachamim was said by R’ Yitzchak Levine shlita, Maran’s regular ba’al tefillah.

After finishing the last letters of the Sefer Torah, the crowd began singing and dancing lichvod HaTorah, while the Sefer Torah was brought into the Aron Kodesh.

In a few weeks, the Sefer Torah will be taken to its permanent site, with a special celebration.

After midnight, the crowd dispersed, each one taking along with him, a message filled with chizukin learning Torah, using time wisely, avodat H-Shem and working on ones middot – with a prayer that the merit of Maran will protect all of Am Yisrael.

It should be noted that those who want to take upon themselves to improve their modesty, in accordance with the Beit HaDin, Mishmar HaTorah, may still buy a letter in this Sefer Torah, by calling 08 974-1030.

 

Yated Ne’eman Newspaper- August 1, 2014

To read the actual article how it was printed in Yated Neeman in  Hebrew  click here : h-15 (1)