Thousands Attend Global Siyum

By COLlive reporter
Photos by Shimon Roumani

The famous Takanah of the Rebbe to learn Rambam, which includes the entire Torah, has spread across the Jewish people and in the holy words of the Rebbe “even more than we originally estimated.”

The great growth from which continues from cycle to cycle, the commitment to the Rebbe’s takanah has grown and tens of thousands of people have joined in the daily Limud Harambam passionately.

Learning in the 3 different cycles has become a standard part of the daily schedule in Jewish communities. Jews with Rambam in hand can be found in the middle of their travel or in an organized shiur in shul. Even business and working people are now fluent in uncommon Halachos found in Rambam.

Together with the learning has developed a complete set of publications to assist the Limud Harambam. Sifrei Harambam with explanations, new editions that make it easier to learn and publications tailored for the different tracks. Kuntresim with insights and explanations of those learning, Seforim with the explanations and rules of the Rebbe in how to learn Rambam in addition to the many different events throughout the year, headed by the yearly Siyum on the whole Sefer.

Siyumim are celebrated worldwide with many different many events and the participation of tens of thousands of Yidden. The main event took place in Crown Heights, near 770 Eastern Parkway. The Rebbe’s special connection to the Siyumim in general and to the main Siyum specifically added special meaning to the gathering.

SPECIAL YEAR

A large crowd of men, women and children packed the Oholei Torah hall for the grand event celebrating the completion of Sefer Mishnah Torah Yad Hachazaka of the Rambam for the 34th time by tens of thousands of Jews throughout the world, as per the Rebbe’s instructions.

The Siyum Horambam Haolomi, as it was titled by the Rebbe, began with Chazan Rabbi Shneur Zalman Baumgarten leading the crowd in Perek 114 in Tehillim- the Rebbe’s kapitel. This was followed by video of a collection of Sichos of the Rebbe said in connection with Siyumei Harambam.

Rabbi Shmuel Butman, Director Tzeirei Agudas Chabad Hamerkozis – Central Lubavitch Youth Organization and Chairman of Siym Horambam Hoalomi, was the emcee.

He pointed out the special significance that the Siyum was taking place in Shnas Hakhel, uniting the two great powers of the learning of the Rambam which is a preparation to the coming of Moshiach with Shnas Hakhel.

“It inspires us to the ultimate Hakhel which will bring together all men, women and children in the Beis Hamikdosh with the coming of Moshiach,” Rabbi Butman said.

Addressing the celebration were members of the Crown Heights Beis Din – Rabbi Avraham Osdoba, Rabbi Yacov Schwei and Rabbi Yosef Braun who shared beautiful explanations in the words of the Rambam according to Halacha and Chassidus and encouraged the community to continue in an ever stronger manner.

MIRACLE AT THE OHEL

The Siyum was made by Rabbi Chaim Shmerler, Rosh Yeshivas Oraita in Eretz Yisroel who is known for his tremendous activities in ‘Sharei Horaah’, an institution through which tens of thousands learn and are tested in the Alter Rebbe‘s Shulchan Aruch.

Rabbi Shmerler learned the last Halacha and continued to speak passionate words about the greatness of the Siyum.

He shared a personal story with a miracle that took place when he went to ask a barcha from the Rebbe at the Ohel to find a sponsor for 1,000 sets, each set is six volumes, of the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch.

His prayers at the Ohel were answered that very day as he found a sponsor for all the sets which he indeed distributed to all parts of the community. Now, Rabbi Shmarler continued, “I am asking for a Bracha for another 1,000 sets!”

Rabbi Yakov Baruch Lederer, Rav of Chasidei Stolin in America and the brother in law of the Stoliner Rebbe, delivered divrei Torah Ubracha. He spoke about the order of the Mitzvas listed by the Rambam and the lesson for each person in their own Avodah.

Rabbi Yitzchok Rabinowitz. representing the Boyan Chassidic community, spoke with great emotion on how strong the learning of Rambam has become so many years after Gimmel Tammuz.

INSTRUCTION FOR ERLOY

Rabbi Zalman Sofer, Rov of the Erloy community in America and son of the Rebbe of Erloy, shared with the crowd stories and many details about the connection of the Chasam Sofer and his descendants with the Lubavitcher Rebbeim.

He marveled at the greatness of takonas Limud Harmbam and mentioned how in his own Beis Midrash they learn three Perakim Rambam daily.

Before introducing him, Rabbi Butman told of how in 5749 he and a group of Lubavitcher Chassidim were invited by the Rebbe of Erloy, Reb Yochonon Sofer, to participate in a Melave Malka.

He wrote to the Rebbe and received an answer to go but it should be in a way that would not inconvenience Reb Yochonon Sofer. In keeping with the Rebbe’s instruction, the Lubavitcher guests sat far away at the end of the hall.

However, immediately when he saw them, the Erloyer Rebbe got up and began to walk in their direction. The group did not know what to do. The Rebbe told them not to inconvenience the Erloyer Rebbe, and here he personally left his place at the head of the dias and he is walking towards them.

In the end, the Erloyer Rebbe insisted that the Lubavitcher Chassidim shoud sit in the front of the hall.

The next day the Erloyer Rebbe came to the Rebbe at “Dollars.” The Rebbe received him with special attention and in a move that was completely out of the ordinary the Rebbe asked him to say a Dvar Torah.

Reb Yochonon Sofer answered that it is difficult for him to speak in the presence of the Rebbe. The Rebbe answered “איך וועל דאך אייך ניט אפלאזן” (I will not release you). At which point he did.

The Erloyer Rebbe came together with 50 of his Chassidim. To two of the Chassidim, the Rebbe told to check their Mezuzos. Immediately upon their return to Boro Park, the Erloyer Rebbe told these two Chassidim to check their Mezuzos and indeed by both of them there were Mezuzos that needed fixing.

THE FIRST TOMIM

Rabbi Yechezkel Bakanhort, representing the Modzhitzer Rebber, gave over Divrei Torah on the last Halacha of the Rambam which were said especially for him by the Rebbe in honor of the Siyum. He mentioned that the previous Modzitzer Rebbe learned in the Lubavitcher Yeshivah in Tel Aviv by the Chossid Reb Chaim Shoul Brook Z”L.

Rabbi Mechel Daskal, Rosh Yeshivas Tzemach Tzadik of Vishnitz, was the next to speak capturing the crowd’s attention with powerful words full of feeling. Rabbi Daskal connected topics in the Parsha with the idea of a Rebbe, the way of a Chassid, a Tomim. “It says in Chumosh that Yaakov was the first Tomim.”

Rabbi Daskal expanded on the greatness of Chassidim farbrenging together and the special power of these matters in the days after Gimmel Tammuz when Chassidim come to Beis Chayenu.

At this point Rabbi Butman revealed a special answer of the Rebbe which sheds new light on the celebration of the Siyumei Harambam especially in our times.

In the beginning of 5752, when he gave in as he normally did the Duch from the Worldwide Siyum Celabration, the Rebbe answered in his holy handwriting: ‘It was received Vetach’ But unusually the Rebbe added a line “וימשיך בזה ובשמחה ובטוב לבב” (“He should continue in this and with with joy and gladness of the heart”).

“When I received this answer I was confused,” related Rabbi Butman. “Was there any other way for it to be? Would any chossid think otherwise and why did the Rebbe have to stress the Simcha? by the next year however in 5753, to our great pain the answer became very clear.”

Rabbi Butman then announced the arrival of a special guest the renowned Gaon, Rabbi Chaim Leib Katz, the Gaon Av Beis Din of Serdeheli, one of the world’s leading Torah authorities.

Rabbi Mordechai Leib Weiss, brother in law and representative of the Munkatcher Rebbe, was the next speaker, connecting the Siyum with the Parshas Hashavua. “What did Yaakov do in the Yeshivah of Shem ane Ever for 14 years? He learned Rambam! The 14 Seforim!”

The Rosh Yeshivas Yagdil Torah of Gur, Rabbi Eliezer Boim gave a fiery talk spoke about the power of “the Meshaleach” the Rebbe that is found by the Shluchim and all those who fulfill the Rebbe’s takonos. Rabbi Boim illustrated his talk with several stories.

Rabbi Aharon Goldmintzer, of the Beis Din in Skver who represented the Skverer Rebbe, connected his words with the Shnas Hakhel that we currently find ourselves in. “By learning Rambam one is connecting with the Rebbe.”

Rabbi Butman made special note of the absence of Rabbi Yekusiel Menachem Rapp OBM who was a regular participant “in joy and happiness” and an activist in Siyumei Harambam. “May he be a good advocate for his wife, his children and Klal Yisroel.”

SECOND MIRACLE STORY

Throughout the evening one was able to hear from all the speakers about the strong connection of all the different Chassdidishe groups to the Rebbe.

One told a story of a Mofes from the Rebbe that took place recently, another spoke about the miracle of the deep Hiskashrus to the Rebbe still present so many years after Gimmel Tammuz while a third spoke about the holy work of the Rebbe’s shluchim throughout the world.

The speaking part of this special evening then concluded with an address by Rabbi Shlomo Leizer, the Klausenberger Dayan of Boro Park, who related a story he recently heard from the renowned posek, Rabbi Gavriel Zinner.

A divorced woman recently came to Rabbi Zinner to discuss a shidduch suggestion that was offered to her. She added that she recently dreamed of the Rebbe telling her to go forward with it.

“I decided that since I don’t consider myself as part of the Lubavitcher Chassidim and it’s known that ‘the words of dreams don’t make any difference’, I will continue with the Shidduch,” she told the Rebbe.

The next night, she said he had the same dream. This led her to go to the Ohel and to daven for advice and a bracha.

As she was exiting the cemetery, entering the Ohel Chabad Lubavitch Center, she meets a friend who had mentioned the shidduch offer to her as well. That friend was now advising her to “stay away…”

In honor of the completion of Torah there needs to be simcha and this was accomplished through a Seudas Mitzvah, L’chaim and lively niggunim sung by singer Benny Friedman and musician Chony Milecky. The crowd responded spontaneously with Joyous in honor of the Siyum.

Rabbi Butman concluded by announcing that the next Siyum would take place in Yerushlayim Ir Hakodesh together with the Rebbe, the Rambam and a Kohol Godol in the Beis Hamikdash!”