Gedolei Torah were on hand for the hachnosas sefer
Torah ceremony in Jerusalem's Har Nof neighborhood at the
newly-built shul for Kehillas Bnei Torah, led by HaRav
Yitzchok Mordechai Hakohen Rubin. Donated by the Rotnemer
family for the illui neshomoh of their father, HaRav
Eliyohu Yehuda Rotnemer, the sefer Torah was brought
to its new home in Beis Medrash Yam HaTalmud, which was built
for the illui neshomoh of HaRav Yechiel Michel Rubin
and his wife, the parents of the kehilloh head, by him
and his relatives from the Marks family. Also participating
was Rebbetzin Hadassah Leibman, widow of HaRav Gershon
Leibman zt"l.
The distinguished event began with the completion of the last
letters, at the homes of maranan verabonon, headed by
HaRav Yosef Sholom Eliashiv and HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, who
noted the fine quality of the sefer Torah. At the Zack
family's home in Har Nof, rabbonim and public figures were
also given the honor of writing letters.
As evening fell local residents gathered to take part in the
procession led by children from Har Nof's talmudei
Torah, wearing crowns on their heads and carrying torches
and banners. The kehilloh members and thousands of
neighborhood residents walked along. With song and dance, all
of the sifrei Torah were brought out of the beis
medrash to greet the new addition.
Following tefillas Ma'ariv in the beis medrash,
excitement mounted in anticipation of the arrival of
maranan verabonon. The beis medrash was filled
to capacity with many pressing against the entrance and
others watching on large screens.
First the master of ceremonies, Rav Hillel Cooperman a member
of the kehilloh, read a letter sent by Maran HaRav
Yosef Sholom Eliashiv (see sidebar). Next, the rov of the
kehilloh spoke and as he completed his speech, HaRav
Nissim Karelitz stepped in and took the podium.
After his talk, HaRav Aharon Leib Steinman was greeted with a
round of Yomim Al Yemei Melech Tosif. Following his
address the kehilloh members escorted the Rosh Yeshiva
out and then sat down together with numerous rabbonim and
public figures for a seudas mitzvah in the beis
medrash. R' Avrohom Yosef Rotnemer spoke of his father
Rav Eliyohu Yehuda, one of the builders of the Torah world in
France whose yahrtzeit fell on the day the sefer
Torah donated in his memory was brought into its new
home. Other speakers included HaRav Moshe Sternbuch; rosh
yeshivas Zeviehl HaRav Michel Zilber, under whom the rov of
the kehilloh had learned; and HaRav Yaakov Auerbach,
the rov of Ramat Chen in Tel Aviv and the father-in-law of
the rov of the kehilloh.
Blessings Sent by Maran HaRav Eliashiv, shlita
BS'D, 29 Adar 5764
Kehillas Bnei HaTorah, headed by HaRav HaGaon R' Yitzchok
Mordechai HaKohen Rubin shlita, has already gained a
reputation as a kehilloh of chessed whose
members are engaged in Torah and gemilus chassodim and
which serves as a beacon for the Har Nof neighborhood.
And now, as they mark the completion of the first phase of
construction of the beis medrash, through Hashem
Yisborach's kindness, I hereby add my blessing that this
become a "mikdosh me'at" and a great place of Torah
and tefilloh, and with Hashem's help they will go from
one strength to the next to complete this building
lehagdil Torah uleha'adiroh.
With Torah blessings,
Yosef Sholom Eliashiv
