Last Tuesday, the siyum for Masechta Bava Basra was held in Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim Morristown.
This coincided with the opening of the new campus building, being the first event to be held there.
The event celebrated specifically the Mivtza Torah curriculum led by Rabbi Sholom Spalter, the aim of which was to finish Bava Basra, the longest masechta in Talmud Bavli by the end of year. The siyum was started by Rabbi Chaim Shapiro as MC, welcoming participants and inaugurating the new Zal.
Following Rabbi Schapiro, Hatomim Mendel Gourarie, a bochur who completed the Masechta, gave over a Dvar Malchus. Next, Rabbi Moshe Herson, Dean of RCA, expounded on the timeliness of the opening of the new building and the finishing of the Masechta.
Afterwards, Hatomim Shlomo Chaim Cohen was mesayem the mesechta. Rabbi Spalter, head of the Mivtza Torah, delivered some profound words on Bava Basra.
Rabbi Shapiro then introduced Rabbi Dubinsky, a yungerman in Morristown who besides finishing Bava Basra and contributing many ha’aros helped in donating toward the incentive offered to those who participated in the Mivtza Torah. He shared how he grew in his own learning and showed how anyone who dedicates themselves can reach great heights. He was then gifted a leather bound initialed large chitas.
Next, Rabbi Shapiro called Rabbi Aaron Dovid Gancz to speak, head of the Halocha B’iyun track in which bochurim learned Hilchos Muktza with Gemora, Rishomin, Tur, Shulchan Aruch, Achronim, all the way up to the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch. Rabbi Gancz expounded on the importance of Halocha B’iyun and then shared a few zichronos.
Last was Rabbi Shloimy Greenwald, Founder of the Kollel L’Horaah Maasis, and an integral and dedicated donor of both RCA and Mivtza Torah, the latter of which he shows great affection. He emphasized the great effect such dedication to Torah has and why he holds it so precious. A leather bound chitas, engraved with his name, was then dedicated to him as an expression of thanks for his unwavering support to RCA.
Afterwards, Rabbi Shapiro gave a leather bound Rambam to Mendel Susskind and Zalmy Wagner and Shneur Slonim as an appreciation for their year-round dedication to running Mivtzoim. Sholom Deren was then given one as well for his constant efforts for yeshiva across the entire year. The program ended with Halocha B’iyun participants receiving certificates followed by Mivzta Torah receiving theirs, along with cash prizes varying according to their marks. All attendees were then treated to a special dinner sponsored by Rabbi Greenwald.
