10th Yahrzeit of the Rosh Hayeshiva
October 19, 2021
The tenth yahrzeit of Maran Rosh Hayeshiva Hagaon Harav Nosson Tzvi Finkel zt”l was marked by several events on Motzei Shabbos Parshas Lech Lecha and the next day, Sunday Parshas Vayeira – the eleventh of Marcheshvan.
For the past several years, at urging of the Rosh Hayeshiva Shlita, talmidim in Yeshiva commit to complete the learning of masechtos l’illuy nishmas Rav Nosson Tzvi, collectively being mesayem Shas many times. This year, the talmidim’s combined efforts yielded in the completion of Shas fifty-one times! The grand siyum took place on Motzei Shabbos. The Yeshiva’s main Bais Medrash was filled beyond capacity, spilling over onto the surrounding streets, where large outdoor screens and speakers were set up to enable everyone’s participation.
The Mashgiach Hagaon Harav Binyomin Finkel Shlita, Hagaon Harav Yitzchok Ezrachi Shlita, and the Rosh Yeshiva Shlita offered divrei zikaron v’hisorerus. The event then reached a historic climax as Maran Sar Hatorah Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita entered the Bais Medrash. The crowd broke out in the singing of Yomim Al Yemei Melech Tosif. The Rosh Hayeshiva took a few moments to explain the tremendous zchus and significance of Rav Chaim’s participation; this was his first time visiting the Mir in his entire life!
Reb Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz recited the Hadran, with Kaddish by the Rosh Hayeshiva. Rav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi, Rosh Yeshivas Ateres Yisroel then spoke about the importance of shteiging in Torah and how it is essential that it continue. Rav Shlomo Kanievsky read a letter with an important message from his father, Rav Chaim, which mentioned that this year – a shemittah year – is an auspicious time for increased learning.
Rav Gedaliah Finkel, brother of Rav Nosson Tzvi, began the new learning cycle with Maseches Brachos. Many people have already signed up for next year’s siyumim. Claim your masechta today by contacting the Yeshiva office!
In honor of all the siyumim, a festive Melave Malka was held for all the Yeshiva’s hanhalla and talmidim. Rav Shmuel Wolman, a very close talmid of the Rosh Hayeshiva zt”l who learned with him b’chavrusa for fifteen years, spoke about Rav Nosson’s Tzvi incredible hasmada and chashivus for learning. “He told we’d be learning Erev Sukkos too, like every other day, and we arranged to learn after Shacharis. But then he added, ‘Shmuli, come in your Yom Tov clothing.’ We sat down after Shacharis and learned straight, without cease, until the siren rang. As we stood up, he looked at me – his face aglow with a radiant smile – and said, ‘I have a present for you.’ He showed me a teshuva from the Avnei Miluim, dated ‘14 Tishrei.’ You see, he was saying, the Avnei Miluim was able to write a teshuva on Erev Succos. That was the Rosh Yeshivah’s gift to a young bochur”, Rav Wolman recalled. Click here to view the event.
The next morning after Shacharis, there was a limud Mishnayos l’illuy nishmas the Rosh Hayeshiva. Later in the day, there was an Aliyah Le’kever with talmidim and hanhalla members.
On Sunday evening, thousands of people around the world participated in a virtual Yom Hazikaron event featuring many speakers from the hanhalla and family members, who spoke about the Rosh Hayeshiva’s zt”l greatness and his legacy for the Yeshiva and its talmidim.
