After starting the zman at Yeshivas Mishkan HaTorah
Gateshead on Rosh Chodesh Elul, the sedorim for
limud and tefillah settled into their routine
immediately, as in all yeshivos around the world.
The official pesicha took place on Sunday the third of
Elul in the presence of the Gateshead Rov, HaRav Betzalel
Rakow and local talmidei chachomim.
The Rov, who is the nosi of the yeshiva, opened the
proceedings. With reference to the period of chodesh
Elul, he reminded the audience to be vigilant and avoid
the small breaches in yiras Shomayim because they lead
to greater aveiros. He illustrated the theme from
various sources in Chazal.
Turning his attention to the occasion, he elaborated on the
subject of Bechol yom yihiyu be'einecho kechadoshim,
that we must constantly feel a freshness and vitality in
learning.
HaRav Shlomo Herskowitz, rosh hayeshiva, followed with
a most moving and emotional speech. He explained to the
hushed audience how the entire project developed and
proceeded shelo kederech hateva. He declared his wish
that the success should be solely for the purpose of
lehagdil Torah uleha'adirah.
The rosh yeshiva, HaRav Yisroel Meir Halpern then
delivered the shiur pesicha on Maseches
Makkos.
He ended with the tefillah that the talmidim
should develop and become gedolei Yisroel.
