In a spirit continuing a practice dating back one and a half
thousand years, Normandie Hotel, Boumemouth was once again
the base for the annual European Yarchei Kalloh.
In ancient times, Yarchei Kalloh was the name adopted to
devote the two months in the year, Adar and Elul, when
chachomim gathered from all over Bovel, in the two
main Yeshivos, Sura and Pumpeditha. They traveled to consult
together and resolve matters that had arisen since their last
meeting six months earlier and to absorb Torah from their
Roshei Yeshiva.
Several features have survived in the modern day revival of
Yarchei Kalloh, which uses the holiday periods for intensive
Torah study.
As in the days of old a specific mesechta was selected
for study, and the Rosh Yeshiva Hagaon Rav Boruch Dov
Povarski gave daily shiurim analyzing the concepts
studied in depth.
This was accompanied by the ever-popular daf shiurim
and an interesting series examining a topic of
halachah.
A feature of Yarchei Kalloh reminiscent of the days of yore,
was the pesichoh, which at that time was held on Rosh
Chodesh at the commencement of the Kalloh month, when the
chachomim reassembled after a break of five months.
Today's pesicha has retained that special atmosphere,
when chavrusos reunite and friendships that have built
up over the years are renewed, emotions which are clearly
visible on the faces of all participants.
The 28th European Yarchei Kalloh commenced on Sunday 26th
December 1999 and concluded Sunday 2nd January 2000.
At the Pesichoh ceremony, which took place on Sunday 26th
December, the speakers were Dayan Grynhaus, Rabbi Boruch
Pines, and Rosh Yeshivas Yarchei Kalloh, Rabbi Boruch Dov
Povarksi.
The Pesichoh ceremony was made up of two parts. The first
half included words of welcome and Divrei Chizuk for the
forthcoming week and the second half formed the introduction
to the shiurim on the Mesechta Dekalloh.
This year's mesechta was Meseches Succoh, and
the shiurei halochoh were on hilchos Yom Tov.
Daf Shiurim were given by Shaarei Torah Rosh Yeshiva,
Rabbi Gavriel Knopfler, Rabbi Boruch Pines and Rabbi Aryeh
Dunner, the halochoh shiurim were given by Rabbi David
Heller and Daf Yomi Shiurim by Rabbi Simche
Bamberger.
Shiurim for boys were by Rabbi M. Zimmer.
