The joint visit by HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman and the Admor
of Gur shlita left a powerful imprint on the Jewish
community of Marseille, the first stop on their European
chizuk trip that began last Sunday, 11 Iyar-April
29.
The first meeting gedolei Yisroel held with the local
rabbonim and dayonim focused on ways to buttress the
spiritual development of the younger members of the
kehilloh and a proposal to open a yeshiva
gedoloh in the city.
In a later meeting HaRav Shteinman and the Gerrer Rebbe
stressed the need to solidify setting fixed times for Torah
study, starting more shiurim, strengthening Shabbos
observance, making special efforts in the area of
chinuch and bolstering the adherence to appropriate
standards of modesty.
Gedolei Yisroel rejected an idea to open institutions
not founded on taharas hakodesh, not even as a
solution for young people in need of special frameworks. "One
does not search for a solution for a sick person by feeding
him poison," said HaRav Shteinman, who said only holy
yeshivas based on the legacy passed down through the
generations should be set up, including proper oversight and
harbotzas Torah. In light of his remarks HaRav Reuven
Ochana, the rov of the local kehilloh, announced a
yeshiva gedoloh would open soon.
Afterwards hundreds of individuals from the local
kehilloh had an opportunity to meet in private with
the two rabbonim at the home of R' Tzvi Amar, the president
of the Jewish community of Marseille.
In recent years Marseille's chareidi community has enjoyed a
dramatic transformation. New Torah institutions have opened,
a yeshiva ketanoh was set up, additional
shiurim have been started and several kollelim
with outreach activities are now operating. The inspiring
visit by gedolei Yisroel and the opening of a
yeshiva gedoloh are expected to provide another
spiritual boost and to round out the Torah-based educational
infrastructures available in the city.
At a major his'orerus gathering on Sunday night, HaRav
Shteinman discussed the obligation to elevate kovod
Shomayim and rectify Creation, urging listeners to add to
their Torah learning, Shabbos observance and modesty
standards.
The Admor of Gur reiterated his appeal to strengthen
shiurim in Eretz Yisroel, France and other parts of
the world. He also spoke of the need to teach children to
follow in the path of their forefathers, and to insure they
are "modest in their speech and conduct."
HaRav Ochana translated their speeches into French as the
listeners sat riveted.
Before the gathering concluded HaRav David Chananiya Pinto,
the rov of Marseille, led the audience of approximately 1,000
listeners in accepting the Yoke of Heaven.
The joint visit continued in Lyons.
