Rabbenu HaRav Dov Lando shlita came to Jerusalem on motzei Shabbos Vayechi. The main event he came for was the annual Melave Malka of the Ezras Achim organization that is set up to aid bnei Torah who have come from chutz la'aretz to learn in Eretz Yisrael. Rabbenu went to Pisgat Zeev and Bayit Vegan as well as to the Ezras Chaim event.
Rabbenu went to the Succat David Hall in Yerushalaim for the central event of the chizuk initiative which included a Melave Malka for thousands of yeshiva students and avreichim from abroad who live in Yerushalayim, to uplift them and hail their praises in these turbulent days.
These students encounter special difficulties, having left their families and a high standard of living in order to immerse themselves in Torah study exclusive to Eretz Yisroel and the rarefied, holy atmosphere in Eretz Yisroel, in spite of all the hardships involved. Rabbenu decided that special attention was deserved by those who identify with: 'I choose the Torah of Your mouth above thousands of pieces of gold and silver.'
The event was organized by Ezras Achim, originally established by the late Rosh Yeshiva of Kamenitz, HaRav Yitzchok Sheiner to assist avreichim from abroad and enable them to continue their studies without problems and difficulties.
HaRav Sholom Shechter introduced the eminent guest speaker before the thousands of participants with these words: "We have the great privilege of having the Rosh Yeshiva come especially to bring his message to all those gathered here tonight."
Rabbenu addressed emotional and passionate words to the avreichim. He expressed a clear-cut stand of the Torah viewpoint and desired conduct, in Yiddish. He opened his speech with precise and outspoken words, saying, "You are all verily aware that the whole world exists on Torah, all the more so here in Eretz Yisroel where every place exists in the merit of Torah. Torah alone is what protects us from all of our enemies."
He continued to focus, with lofty and lavish tributes in particular of those young men from abroad. "The very fact that thousands and their families have left their countries of origin in order to study Torah in this Holy Land generates tremendous affection in Heaven while also generating increased protection from our enemies to all the inhabitants here.
"Reward is commensurate to effort. Very difficult times beset those removed from their families, precisely by the physical distance.
"The Ezras Achim organization was established a few decades ago to unite foreign students. so that they can help one another in their problems."
HaRav Lando also dwelled on the need to couple Torah study with chessed and good will as has been practiced in Yerushalayim over the many years.
HaRav Chaim Brim, a gaon and tzaddik. He reminisced an anecdote told over of HaRav Moshe Yehoshua Lando who shared an experience with the Chazon Ish. He was accustomed to visit him in Bnei Brak once a week with various questions that had arisen. When he came twice in one week, the Chazon Ish expressed his surprise. "Have you become a Bnei Braki?
Rav Moshe Yehoshua thought he detected a note of reproach and said, "People have heard that I travel to you once a week and ask me to convey their questions to you, not necessarily questions in Torah but requests for advice, blessings and the like.
"Am I obligated to be their go-between?" he asked.
The Chazon Ish replied, "And Torah questions are not wisdom? Torah does not have a soul? When a person performs a good deed, his soul is elevated and improved. Thus, he is able to better understand Torah on a higher level."
"They tell of HaRav Chaim of Brisk, who said to rabbonim that when a rav closes his gemora in order to do a favor for a fellow Jew, then even the closed gemora is like an opened one. And vice versa, that is, if a person does not close his gemara in order to help a fellow Jew, then even though it is open, it is considered to be closed."
This is what Reb Chaim said in essence: that one Jew should help a fellow Jew.
In conclusion, Maran said: "May Hashem shower upon all of you and your families, those here and those abroad, blessing, success and all good things. May Hashem save us from all of our troubles and redeem us ultimately, speedily and in our days, Amen."
