Kiryat Sefer, established only five years ago, has become an important
city in Eretz Yisroel. It is important because it is a city exclusively
populated by shomrei Torah umitzvos, most of them having spent
many years in yeshiva. The tremendous siyata diShmaya which
Kiryat Sefer has been given can in no small amount be accredited to
the blessings of the gedolei hador, who have, stood by this
city of Torah from its beginning, and whose advice is sought in all
matters.
Visiting Kiryat Sefer, one is struck by its many Torah institutions,
where men toil over Torah from early morning until late at night.
Among them is Kollel Kodshim, a kollel devoted to learning
the halachos of avodas Beis Hamikdosh.
Kollel Kodshim was established a year and a half ago by the rosh
kollel, HaRav Yaakov Lev, at the suggestion of HaRav Chaim Kanievsky.
The avreichim hear a shiur given by the rosh kollel
three times a week. Once a week, a chabura is given by the
kollel avreichim. Boruch Hashem, the avreichim
are gaining in their understanding and knowledge of Kodshim.
The rosh kollel is a talmud muvhak of HaRav Michel Feinstein,
the son-in-law of the Brisker Rov zt'l. Rav Lev has authored
numerous works on Kodshim.
His shiurim in the kollel are said in the derech
of Brisk. R' Michel has explained that this means to learn Torah "without
any dressings." In other words, to focus only on what the Torah
is telling us, and not to explain it according to our own logic or
preconceptions. The chidushim of Reb Chaim and the Brisker
Rav were a result of this method. R' Michel explained that this is
the reason why everyone is so afraid to change even a single word
of their Torah thoughts.
The moroh de'asra of Kiryat Sefer, HaRav Meir Kessler, has
written a letter calling for support of the Kollel. The letter is
also signed by HaRav Eliashiv, HaRav Steinman and HaRav Pam. In his
letter, HaRav Kessler quotes the Chofetz Chaim, zt'l, saying
that in the time of the Beis Hamikdosh there was a terumas
halishko to ensure that the service was performed. In our days,
the Chofetz Chaim says, it is an obligation to give money for talmidei
chachomim to learn the halachos of the avoda with the Kohanim.
May all those who have a part in this mitzvah merit the blessing of
Rav Pam (in the letter of support for the Kollel) for bountiful good
from Hashem Yisborach.
