London Yeshiva Hosts 28th Siyum

The Lubavitch Yeshiva of London, under the auspices of Rabbi Yitzchok Meir Hertz, hosted the twenty-eighth Annual Siyum Hamesechta on Sunday night, the 7th of Av.

The Siyum, marking the completion of Mesechta Baba Kama, was attended by many prominent Rabbonim and by many individuals from various communities throughout London.

The evening’s opening speaker was Rabbi Dovid Halperin, Rabbi of the Beis Medresh of Hendon. After acknowledging the significant contribution that the Yeshiva has made to the entire London Jewish community, he mentioned that its location at the outskirts of the community acts as a “Mezuzah” to shield the entire community from the negative aspects of the outside world.

His father, Rabbi Elchonon Halperin, Rabbi of Northwest London, noted that twenty-eight has the same numerical value as “koach,” the Hebrew word for strength. He expressed how impressed he was with the learning of the Bochurim, after testing them the previous week alongside his son Rabbi Chaim Halperin. He advised the Bochurim to utilize their auspicious time in Yeshiva to go from “strength to strength” in Torah study and Mitzvot observance.

Rabbi Hertz noted that the Siyum is well known for generating Achdus (unity) for the entire community, regardless of affiliation. The Siyum’s occurrence during the nine days is no coincidence, he added. Its timing delivers the strong message that Jews stand united in our commitment to one another. This unequivocal bond of Ahavas Chinum (love for one’s fellow Jew) is necessary to combat Sinus Chinum, the “unexplained” hatred which has caused the thousands of years of pain and suffering in Golus.

The actual siyum was delivered by Levi Shaw, a student in the Yeshiva for the past three years. He has excelled in many areas throughout his tenure at the yeshiva. Especially noteworthy is that this is his third consecutive year of successfully completed the Mesechta.

The Chair of the evening’s event, Rabbi Mendel Gordon, the head Mashpia of the Yeshiva, concluded with a heartfelt prayer that this should be the final Siyum in Golus. He noted that even though the Yeshiva will continue to act as the “Mezuzah” for Klal Yisroel, this honor will be, henceforth, in Yerushalyim, with the imminent coming of Moshiach, may it not be prolonged for even one moment.