Shabbos with the Rosh Hayeshiva

December 15, 2021

At 9:30 on Friday morning Parshas Vayigash, five busloads of talmidim departed from Yeshiva. Their destination was a beautiful campus located near Yam Hamelech, in the city of Arad, where they would spend a special Shabbos together with the Rosh Hayeshiva Shlita.

Upon their arrival, they were directed to their rooms; it quickly became clear that there were many more bochurim than anticipated. Boruch Hashem, the Yeshiva was able to obtain additional rooms to accommodate even those who decided at the last minute that they didn’t want to miss this spectacular Shabbos.

The campus was just perfect – with basketball courts, grassy lawns, breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains – enabling the bochurim to enjoy the fresh air and a change of scenery. At about an hour before Shabbos, the Rosh Hayeshiva was seated on the lawn, where he personally distributed a “Shabbos package” to every one of the talmidim. Shabbos was ushered in with a beautiful Kabbalas Shabbos in the packed shul. The Rosh Hayeshiva spoke between Kabbalas Shabbos and Maariv. Why, asked the Rosh Hayeshiva, would a bochur come to Eretz Yisroel specifically to learn in the Mir? He explained that a bochur needs to acquire a kesher with the Torah and with Rabbeim who are the mosrei haTorah.

The Rosh Hayeshiva added that many parents ask to send their love to their children; he emphasized that every single talmid should know that they are his ben yachid –he will do everything to help them just as their own parents!

The Rosh Hayeshiva continued by offering two incentives: firstly, bochurim who will learn an extra half hour of night seder each night will accompany the Mashgiach Shlita to a makom kadosh on the following Rosh Chodesh to be mispallel together for continued hatzlacha in Torah and avodah. In addition, there will be a siyum celebrating the completion of the main masechta learned in Yeshiva (Bava Basra) at the home of one the gedolei hador.

The Friday night seudah was enhanced with divrei Torah from the Rabbeim and bochurim. One of the highlights at the seudah was the riddle posed by the Rosh Hayeshiva. Many bochurim rushed over with suggestions of possible answers; they were awarded accordingly. At one point, the entire oilam burst into lively song with everyone standing up together with the Rosh Hayeshiva, enhancing the spirit of achdus that prevailed since the Shabbos began.

After taking time out for a learning seder, the oilam came back for an outdoor oneg in the fresh air. The Rosh Hayeshiva shared a very powerful and emotional story – interwoven with songs –that was very much מעורר the crowd. This was followed by a Q&A session, with the Rosh Hayeshiva explaining and discussing a wide range of topics. The oilam got very involved; there was lively give and take about the various subjects that came up. There was plenty of delicious cholent and desserts, of course.

Shabbos morning began with davening, led by skilled chazzanim who created a lively ruach. The Shabbos day meal featured zemiros being sung by all; the Sefardi bochurim even put together a choir with their customary zemiros. A different group of rebbeim and bochurim offered divrei Torah. One of the bochurim who spoke thanked the Rosh Yeshiva for his concern about every single detail, ensuring that the bochurim should have everything they need to learn and shteig in the best way possible. The Rosh Hayeshiva asked another riddle and then posed questions on the parsha based on the Aleph Beis.

Shabbos afternoon was enjoyed by everyone. The weather was just right; many took walks together or learned on the porches – a real מנוחת שבת.

Shalosh seudos was once again a beautiful meal with inspirational singing and a rousing drasha that prompted the oilam to get up and dance spontaneously to songs about Torah and achdus.

Following Havdalah, everyone packed their belongings and prepared to leave; some went to play ball while the Melave Malka was set up. Delicious fresh pizza arrived; lively music filled the air as the bochurim danced together with the Rosh Yeshiva. Everyone returned to Yeshiva with the shared feeling that this Shabbos was mechazek them in a way that they will never forget!