Thousands Join Siyum Harambam

By Rabbi Shmuel Pevzner
Pictures by Shimon Roumani

The year passes by quickly, and the Jewish community once again prepares joyously for the big day celebrating the completion of the study of “the entire oral Torah” by the thousands of participants in the daily study of Rambam, in its 37th cycle, as established by the Rebbe.

“As established by the Rebbe,” This sentiment was shared by all the students and participants. And with this description, the event’s veteran organizer and emcee, Rabbi Shmuel Butman opened the “International Siyum HaRambam”, as the event was titled by the Rebbe.

This theme took center stage as well in all of the speeches delivered at the Siyum. Numerous reasons were given for this initiative by its founder, the Rebbe. Many more reasons and benefits have been offered by Gedolei Yisroel addressing the siyumim of each of the cycles, across the globe. Yet what stands at the foundation of the takanah and in the heart of its students is the powerful feeling of hiskashrus, connection to the nosi by fulfilling his holy directive, for the simple reason that the Rebbe so instructed and instituted.

The emotional strength and fortitude to diligently maintain a daily study schedule of the Rambam, in any of the daily ‘tracks’, and to delve exponentially deeper into in-depth study -each according to his abilities- are drawn from the Rebbe’s vigorous encouragement. Anyone who explores the Rebbe’s attitude towards the institution of daily Rambam study, and to anything related to that study and the siyum celebrations cannot help but realize that to connect to the Rebbe is to study the Rambam daily.

Who has not witnessed the Rebbe’s glowing countenance when the Chazan R’ Tzvi (“Grisha”) Tsatkis arrived, as usual, to sing at kos shel brocha distribution, not long after the Rebbe initiated the daily study of Rambam. At the conclusion of the Russian-language “who knows one?” (“Ech Ti Zimlak…”) he continued, adding a stanza “Who knows fourteen?” A look of surprise crossed the Rebbe’s face, after all, the song usually concludes at thirteen. The Chazan continues “Knigi Rambamah” (Fourteen books of Rambam) the Rebbe’s face lit up with great joy, he put down the becher swinging both hands in encouragement to all sides of the shul, encouraging the singing. One can imagine what 770 was like in those moments, the entire assembled crowd dancing vigorously in place. This is the joy and celebration of the study of Rambam, the joy in fulfilling the Rebbe’s will and initiative, aside from obviously, all the other reasons which the Rebbe explained. These all stand on one foundation, Hiskashrus.

Nearing the completion of the 37th cycle (in the study of 3 chapters a day, and in the study of Sefer Hamitzvos) preparations began for the Siyum celebration. Rabbi Butman, Director of Lubavitch Youth Organization and Chairman of the “International Siyum HaRambam” Committee, entrusted and directed by the Rebbe’s to organize the international celebration, spared no efforts to ensure that the siyum be organized in most beautiful and regal manner possible in honor of the Torah and in honor of the Rebbe, founder of this study initiative, and in honor of the multitudes of students participating in the study cycle.

At the appointed time, all paths leading to the Oholei Torah’s large hall in Crown Heights teemed with people, as throngs of men women and children made their way to the Siyum celebration. The children, many themselves celebrating a Siyum of their own on completion of the Sefer Hamitzvos headed to an adjacent hall where they enjoyed a special program under the direction of experienced educator Rabbi Levi Goldstein, while the adults took their places in the main hall.

“Will Know Hidden Matters”

Rabbi Butman opened the event with warm words on the great merit and obligation of studying Rambam daily, this being the way to connect to the Rebbe every single day on a daily basis. He shared a story of a Shliach suffering from overwhelming debts, who wrote about this to the Rebbe. The Rebbe responded that “you evidently still have some debts in Rambam study!” Rabbi Butman continued relating how, recently, a friend of his, who suffered from terrible debts, undertook to strengthen his own daily study of Rambam, and maintained this very strictly, and in a short time was able to resolve all his debt issues.

The formal opening of the celebration began with the recital of the of chapter 117 of Tehillim, the chapter recited for the Rebbe this year, sung by the entire crowd, led by Chassidic Cantor Rabbi Shneur Zalman Baumgarten, with the melody composed for these verses at the Rebbe’s behest many years ago. The lights in the hall were dimmed while video screens displayed a Siyum delivered by the Rebbe himself in his home in 5749, the concluding halachos of the Rambam, surrounding the times of Moshiach, as elaborated by the Rebbe.

The emcee, Rabbi Butman addressed the concluding lines of Rambam that “Therefore all Israel will be great sages, and know hidden Matters.” If this knowledge is indeed “hidden”, how will we all “know” it?
The answer being that which the Alter Rebbe states in Tanya, (in Igeres Hakodesh) “as the Arizal stated, that specifically in these generations it is a Mitzvah to reveal This Wisdom”. What the Rambam refers to as “Hidden Matters” is referred to by the Arizal as “This Wisdom”, both referring to the wisdom of Kabbalah, the secrets of the Torah, as elaborated and elucidated in the study of Chassidus, as the Rebbe refers to it in his letters to Chassanim and Kallos “the luminary if Torah, namely Chassidus”.

Similarly, where the Rambam, in the concluding halachos refers to “that time” (surrounding the arrival of Moshiach) the Arizal refers to “these last generations” where both clearly refer to the era we are now experiencing, as we pray from the depth of our hearts to merit again soon to hear the Siyum delivered by the Rebbe himself, as we had merited each cycle since 5745.

The first addresses were delivered by the honorable members of the Badatz of Crown Heights -“kan tzivah Hashem es habracha”, Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba, Rabbi Aharon Yaakov Schwei and Rabbi Yosef Yeshayah Braun, each in their own style addressing the concluding Halachos of the Rambam, expounding in Niglah and Chassidus.

The appearance of Rabbi Schwei elicited special excitement, as this was his first public appearance since his recent health difficulties. Rabbi Schwei offered thanks to Hashem on his recovery and to merit to participate in the Siyum. He thanked the crowd for their prayers for his recovery and offered heartfelt blessings for a Ksivah Vachasimah Tovah.

The Siyum was attended by Torah sages and leaders from all circles who came to take part in the celebration of the completion of the Rambam.

Siyum During the Month of Mercy

Rabbi Yaakov Boruch Ledereich, brother-in-law and representative the Stoliner Rebbe addressed the crowd, pointing to the outstanding zechus of learning and completing “the entire Torah” during Elul, the month of mercy.

The next speaker, -as the previous one- was an enthusiastic regular participant in the Siyum. Rabbi Eliezer Baum, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Yagdil Torah of Ger, did not pass up the opportunity to attend the siyum, despite having returned just hours earlier from a long and exhausting trip. In recent years the siyum has become a platform where Torah leaders of all stripes share miracles which they or members of their communities have experienced with the Rebbe, some before gimmel tammuz, other ‘fresh’ miracles experienced lately. We as chassidim are astounded to listen to descriptions of the the Rebbe’s broad and loving reach and influence, and how jews of all stripes take for granted that the address for salvation in any issue is a Pan to the Rebbe, a prayer at the Ohel, as well as the adoration and admiration towards the Rebbe, his Torah, his Shluchim and Chassidim, from those not otherwise formally considered Chabad Chassidim.

Rabbi Baum came to the siyum directly from a meeting with noted Gerrer askan R’ Elimelech Neiman, who enjoyed a close relationship with the Rebbe. Rabbi Neiman had described a meeting he had with two shluchim in the United States. One from California, the other from Texas. R’ Meilach related to them a miracle he experienced following the birth of his 4th son in 5745.

“I went to 770 for the farbrengen in honor of Yud Gimmel Nissan-the yahrtzeit of the Tzemach Tzedek. At the end of the Farbrenegen the Rebbe distributed dollars via the ‘Tankists’. Once all the ‘Mivtzoim activists’ had passed by, one batch of dollars remained. The Rebbe handed that packet to me, saying ” You are also a ‘Tankist'”.

“At a quarter to eleven that night, after making a Bracha Acharona the Rebbe took his paper bag, preparing to exit the farbrengen. He then turned to me and asked me “How’s your mezinik doing?” I had no idea what the Rebbe meant, as mezinik is a reference to a youngest child, while I was then a yungerman. The Rebbe continued “Did you recently have a simcha?”, I responded that we had recently had a son. The Rebbe asked after the health of the baby and mother, to which I responded that B”H all is well. The Rebbe left. The chassidim immediately ‘published’ in chadashos mibeis chayeinu that Elimelech Neiman will not have any more children…

“I didn’t necessarily see that as the Rebbe’s intent, but as the months wore on and without another pregnancy, I took my four sons and went to the Rebbe. The Rebbe gave us a Bracha for “Good tidings” to which I responded that we were requesting a bracha to have more children. The Rebbe responded that “Good tidings” meant that we would have a Simcha, and shortly thereafter we found out that we B”H were expecting.

“One of the shluchim to which I [R’ Neiman] was telling the story burst into tears. I asked him in surprise if the story was so touching that it brought him to tears? The shliach responded “I’ll tell you what just happened. It’s been a few years since our youngest child was born. I had recently been to the Ohel and I tearfully requested a Bracha for additional children, and I requested from the Rebbe that I receive an answer verbally! Now you, R’ Meilach, have delivered the Rebbe’s answer to me, how would I not burst into tears?” Rabbi Neiman finished the story. Rabbi Baum asked him “Nu, what happened with that Shliach?” to which R’ Meilach responded that, “with Emunah like that do you have any doubt as to the outcome? Obviously within the year they had another child.” Rabbi Baum finished this amazing story.

Merits All Good Things Immediately

Representing the Skeverer Rebbe was R’ Shmuel Yosef Prizel, Dayan and Rav of Chasidei Skver in Borough Park. he quoted the Gemara that “He who studies Halachos every day, is guaranteed a portion in olam haba”, and translated it that one who studies the daily Rambam is a ben olam haba inasmuch as he, already in this world, merits to all good things…

Rosh Yehsivah of Vizhnitzer Yeshivah Tzemach Tzedek, Rabbi Yechiel Michel Daskal connected the Rambam, which, by the Rebbe’s instruction the banner at the Siyum bears the acronym “Rabos Mofsai B’eretz Mitzraim” (many miracles in the land of Egypt) an acronym of the Rambam’s name.

He connected this message with the auspicious day of Chai (18) Elul which fell on the day immediately before the Siyum. Based on the sicha of 18 Elul 5747 where the Rebbe expounds on the heavenly events where the Rebbe Rashab heard 7 Torah thoughts as delivered by the Ba’al Shem Tov in Gan eden (On Shabbos Tavo 18 Elul 5652). The Rebbe in that sicha explains how the theme of the mission of the Ba’al Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe, each in their own direction, is connected with the revelation of miracles here in the physical realm. This was the reason for that heavenly event being publicized.

Rabbi Daskal continued relating a miracle as told by his Rebbe the Admur R’ Yisroel of Vizhnitz in Bnei Brak. In the early 5740’s he had a yechidus with the Rebbe. He entered along with a retinue of Chassidim. The yechidus went for about 25 minutes. At that point the Rebbe indicated that the Rebbe remain, but the rest of the chassidim exit, and they continued a private yechidus for an additional 35 minutes. This visit to New York was preceded by a visit to Los Angeles, California where the Vizhnitzer Rebbe met with someone, a member of a different Chassidic court, who nevertheless maintained close contact with the Rebbe. The Vizhnitzer Rebbe expressed an interest in having a yechidus with the Rebbe, to which this person responded that one must carefully guard one’s thoughts, as the Rebbe can read one’s thoughts thousands of miles away, and certainly inside the same room. The Vizhnitzer Rebbe understood that there seems to be a story here and would have liked to hear more, but the host refused to share more detail.

After a bit of prodding, he shared that, some ten years earlier he had suffered some cardiac trouble and was hospitalized. A message was immediately transmitted to the Rebbe’s secretariat with a request for a Bracha. After a few weeks of treatment, the doctors informed him that, on the following Tuesday he would be discharged to go home. During his hospital stay, a non-Jewish nurse had cared for him exceptionally, and they had formed a relationship. As his discharged approached, they had planned to leave the hospital together, R”L.

The plan had been to escape during Shabbos, when his family, due to the distance, where not able to be at the hospital. Friday afternoon he heard his name called on the hospital PA system that he had a phone call. He was surprised, considering that his family would usually call in a different manner. When he arrived at the office, on the line was none other than Rabbi Chodakov, the Rebbe’s secretary. Rabbi Chodakov said that he had just come from the Rebbe’s room and the Rebbe had instructed him to find out which hospital he’s in and to instruct him to leave the hospital and go home immediately.

This person began to explain to Rabbi Chodakov that he is scheduled to be discharged on Tuesday. Rabbi Chodakov insisted, that per the Rebbe’s instruction, he take a taxi home immediately. He did as instructed. When he arrived home it was already after Licht Bentchen (Candle lighting time) but before the Shkiah (sunset).

During the course of Shabbos he began to experience pangs of regret, how could he have fallen so low, to consider abandoning his family etc. He was endlessly thankful to the Rebbe for saving him at the last moment.

The Vizhnitzer Rebbe concluded that every jew who maintains a connections with Rebbe has a ‘guardian’ not unlike how Yaakov Avinu appeared to Yosef in a vision during his especially challenging nisayon. Rabbi Daskal concluded with the posuk from the week’s Parsha (as included in the Vidui Ma’aser declaration) “Ribono Shel Olam, we have done as you have commanded us, now do for us as you have promised “Look upon us from your holy abode…”, Rabbi Daskal turned to the Rebbe with the heartfelt plea in the name of all the students of the daily Rambam study “Rebbe, we have done as you have instructed, now please…”Look upon us … and bless am yisrael.”

Encouraging and Consoling to all

Rabbi Avrohom Rabinowitz, representing the Boyaner Chassidus has the distinction of being a third generation participant in Siyumei HaRambam. Many remember fondly the honored presence of his grandfather Rabbi Efraim Fishel Rabinowitz, Rosh Yeshivah of Tiferes Yisroel Ruzhin-Boyan and member of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah at all the Rambam Siyumim and Chabad events in Israel.

“I always wondered,” said Rabbi Rabinowitz “why the Rebbe established this study specifically of the Rambam. Notwithstanding all the unique qualities of the Rambam’s work, there are other esteemed works of Rishonim.” The answer to this, he asserts, is to be found in Shu”t Ralbach (Ch. 12) which states that even one who finds the Rambam difficult, “we are obligated to find explanation for his position without doubting him. For his heart is like that of a lion, and, where he here with us, he would open for us [a path of understanding] broader than the gates of the Beis Hamikdash”. The one and only in our generation who can be described as possessing “the heart of a lion”, is the Rebbe, and he would indeed “open for us wider than the gates of the Beis Hamikdash.” It is his directive that guides our study of the Rambam, and fulfilling this directive is the channel for all our Blessings.

“As a child, living in Williamsburg,” describes Rabbi Rabinowitz, “my father took my along to the Rebbe’s Farbrengens on special days. As a child I was somewhat fearful of the large, unfamiliar crowd squeezing in to hear the Farbrengen, so I constantly held tight to father’s hand.

“One time, my father approached the Rebbe between Sichos. My father had momentarily disappeared from me and I began to cry loudly.
In a discussion with Chassidim Rabbi Rabinowitz related another detail. As he was crying (he was only about 3-4 years old) one of the Chassidim took him in his arms and brought him over to the Rebbe. “The Rebbe gave me “a Glett”, the Rebbe gently put his hand on my face. The Rebbe looked towards me and smiled with an overflowing measure of consolation and encouragement until I stopped crying. This is “his heart like a lion” one who offers consolation and encouragement to every Jew in our time and opens for us a door wider than the gates of the Beis Hamikdash.

Speaking the Rebbe’s Request

At this point the Chairman introduces the actual Siyum concluding the Rambam’s laws, by quoting the Gemara (in Shabbos) regarding “A celebration for the Rabbis upon completion of a masechta by one of the students.” the emcee reminds the assembled that the students celebrating the completion are not necessarily scholars and full time Torah students immersed in Torah study all day. Many are business people, toiling all day to earn a living, yet, upon returning home, they see before them the Rebbe who instituted this study, and will not allow themselves to rest without completing study of 3 chapters of Ramam.

The completing halachos were recited by Rabbi Gavriel Zinner, whose participation in the Siyumim was directed by the Rebbe himself, who had asked Rabbi Zinner “have you spoken at the Siyum?”

Before going on to complete the Rambam and recite the Siyum Rabbi Zinner prefaced that this event was a psak din which was to be fulfilled.
An excitement gripped the crowd as rabbi Zinner related the events of that encounter in 5751. He was on his way to visit Spain for a Mitzvah purpose, he visited the Rebbe at the Dollars distribution to receive the Rebbe’s Bracha for the trip. When his turn arrived to approach the Rebbe, the Rebbe asked him whether he had spoken at the siyum. He responded that he had not been invited to speak. The Rebbe instructed him to publish the Torah thoughts which he had prepared to deliver at that occasion, and the Rebbe would cover the publishing expenses. At the time he transcribed the Torah thoughts and sent them to the Rebbe, and the Rebbe responded “thank you, it is advisable to publicize [the material]” it has taken a number of years, but today B”H we have the opportunity to fulfil the Rebbe’s directive.

Rabbi Zinner proceeded to deliver these thoughts (on the topic of chinuch of a child ‘practicing’ to fast on Yom Kippur).

Rav Dessler’s Tanya

A completion must be immediately followed by a new beginning. The 38th cycle of Rambam study is opened by Rabbi Leibel Wulliger, Rosh Kollel of Torah Vodaath, representing the Munkacer Rebbe. Rabbi Wulliger is an old friend of Lubavitch who had enjoyed a close relationship with the Rebbe, and a second generation participant in the Siyum HaRambam, as his father, Rabbi Binyomin Wulliger, had participated in the Siyumim on behalf of the The Klausengerger Rebbe Zatza”l.

Rabbi Wulliger began by describing his lifelong relationship with the Rebbe, beginning in childhood where he would daven with the Rebbe yet in the small zal [in 770].

“I owe the Rebbe a personal debt of gratitute. When I merited to go in to Yechidus to the Rebbe before my wedding the Rebbe told me to study Halocho. The Rebbe explained that we need more people who know Halocho. I followed this instruction and I am very grateful for it.”

“My father in law” says Rabbi Wulliger “was a son in law of Rav Dessler Zatza”l. Rav Dessler, author of Michtav Me’Eliyahu is famed in the Torah world as one of the greats of Jewish Thought. Rav Dessler was very close to the famed Chossid R’ Itche der Masmid, who had visited England. There are numerous letters from the Frierdiker Rebbe to Rav Dessler.”

Rav Dessler felt a strong connection to the Alter Rebbe. When the Rov of Ponevezh [Rav Kahaneman] approached him to serve as Mashgiach Ruchni in his Yeshivah, Rav Dessler responded that the Alter Rebbe had instructed him in a dream “do not abandon your place” (Koheles 10:4), and he remained in England, in Gateshead, where he continued to teach Chassidus, where he taught a shiur in Tanya. We have in the family Rav Dessler’s Tanya, and each page is torn from use!

“He is already blessed”

“My father, as a chosson, went to receive a bracha from the Frierdiker Rebbe before his marriage. My grandfather said to the Frierdiker Rebbe that, in Munkatch, it is customary to bless the chosson. The Frierdiker Rebbe responded that “he is already blessed” (Bamidbar 22:12). My father nonetheless bowed his head under the Frierdiker Rebbe’s hands and received a bracha from him.
“When I went in with my father to the Rebbe, my father requested that the Rebbe give me a bracha. The Rebbe responded that the Frierdiker Rebbe’s bracha that “he is already blessed” will apply to me as well!

“Once, during a yechidus, my father a”h commented to the Rebbe that we ‘are called’ lubavitcher chassidim. To which the Rebbe responded “You are called? You are lubavitcher chassidim!”

“I once came on Erev Yom Kippur to receive lekach along with the Mashgiach R’ Moshe Wolfson Shlit”a. In line R’ Wolfson tells me “R’ Leibel, tighten your gartel well! We are entering the Kodesh Hakodoshim –Holy of Holies on Erev Yom Kippur!”

R’ Leibel glows aflame as he describes the Hakafos in the Rebbe’s presence he experienced yearly in his youth. I remember the Rebbe singing the Niggun “Vechol Kornei Reshoim Agadea” and the “Oy” of “Oyvov” was continuous and uplifting.

Rabbi Wulliger began by opening halacha of the Rambam “The foundation of all foundations and the pillar of wisdom is to know that there is a First Being” and elaborated on the topic of a siyum celebration, a Seudas Mitzvah on the occasion of completing a portion of Torah.

Representing the Slonimer Chassidus, whose multi-generational relationship to the Chabad Rabbeim is well known, is Rabbi Aharon Weinberg, grandson of the Birkas Avrohom, and himself greatly knowledgeable in Chabad Chassidus. He delivered a fascinating talk on the topic of connecting a siyum to the new beginning, and demonstrated this concept in the Rambam study initiative, a sefer which was composed under conditions of difficulty, exile and yeridas hadoros as the Rambam describes in his preface, was then turned by the Rebbe into a daily study, a study which enlightens the lives of its participants.

The final speaker, representing the Klausneberg Chassidus is Rabbi Shlomo Leiser, Rav of Klausenberg Borough Park, who spoke about the sicha where the Rebbe contrasts the avodah of the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur as described in Rambam in contrast to the description in Gemara. He warmly elaborated on the great merit and opportunity to participate in the Siyum HaRambam.

Rav Leiser concluded with a story he heard from R’ Berel Rozenberg of Kiryat Sanz. On visiting the Kosel, R’Berel stopped at the Tefillin booth (which has been active there since the liberation of the Kosel by Hashem’s kindness) where he heard of the possibility to send a note requesting a bracha to be sent to the Rebbe. R’ Berel wrote a note that he had mentioned the Rebbe at the Kosel, and submitted it, unsigned. At the next opportunity he went with a number of acquaintances from Union City to the Rebbe’s farbrengen, followed by distribution of kos shel bracha. When his turn came to receive kos shel bracha the Rebbe turned to him, in a sign of open ruach hakodesh, and thanked him for mentioning him at the Kosel.

A Great Test for a Great Man

Another story which he had heard directly from the protagonist, a young man who had unfortunately abandoned Torah observance, approached the Rebbe at the Dollars distribution. He told the Rebbe of his plans to marry a non-Jewish girl R”L. The Rebbe responded to him that, this great nisayon which he is facing, is a sign that he possesses a great spiritual strength, greater than those around him. The idea itself didn’t really ‘click’ with him, but he began to feel very uncomfortable with the impending marriage, until he eventually abandoned it altogether, eventually marrying a proper jewish girl with whom has established a kosher home, as a result of his visit to the Rebbe.

The speeches were followed by a great celebration as circles of dancing fill the hall, alongside L’chaim and a Seudas Mitzvah on the occasion of the Siyum, which continues into a grand Farbrengen

Rabbi Butman thanked his son Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Butman for all his great help and wished him that the ZechuChairmans of the Rambam should be meritorious for him in all matters.

Moments before the event closed, the announced that the Siyum of the 38th cycle will take place, with G-d’s help on the 5th of Av, Yahrtzeit of the Arizal, with the participation of the Rambam and the Rebbe and we will merit to celebrate the completion of ‘the entire Torah Sheb’al Peh’ [as the Rambam describes his work] in the holy city of Yerushalyim, in an era when “There will be no hunger, no war, for the earth will be filled with the Knowledge of G-d as the water covers the sea.”