Fifty years ago, prior to Rosh Chodesh Av 5735 (1975), the Rebbe gave a directive to make a Siyum on a Masechta every day during the 9 days, up until the days leading up to 15 Av. The Siyum brings the joy of Torah into these days of mourning.
Heeding the Rebbe’s call, Rabbi JJ Hecht z”l organized a Siyum every night and had it broadcasted live on the radio. His son, Rabbi Shimon Hecht of NCFJE has continued this tradition after his father’s passing.
This past Motzei shabbos, Rabbi Avrohom Gerlitzky, Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Medresh Oholei Torah, celebrated 50 years of making siyumim on the radio. He was surprised with a small farbrengen seuda following the siyum.
Rabbi Shimon Hecht noted that over the years many have made Siyumim on a Masechta, however Reb Avrohom is the only one that consistently has been making a Siyum every single year for the past fifty years on the radio. Rabbi Hecht gave wishes that Reb Avrohom should continue making siyumim in good health and happiness, until the coming of moshiach now!
To watch a replay of the Siyum on Masechta Horayot made by Rabbi Gerlitzky:
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6553562/jewish/Completing-Tractate-Horayot.htm
Doing anything consistently for 50 years is an accomplishment. Making a siyim 50 years straight – Mamish gevaldik. Kudos to Rabbi Hecht for acknowledging this. The select group of people present at this event is also a nice nostalgic vibe…
יאריך ימים על ממלכתו
I’m one of our uncle Avrum Gerlitzky’s hundreds of neices and nephews that admire and love him.
May Hashem bentch you with tremendous nachas and good health until 120!
Mazeltov Avrom and Hashem shoul bless you to continue for the next 50 years, Chaim Nitzchiyim.