With the participation of HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman, the rabbinical members of the presidium of the Daf Hayomi beHalacha gathered this week to establish the new program for the daily study of the Mishnah Berurah.
The gathering took place at the home of the Admor of Vishnitz in anticipation of the siyum of the first cycle of the Daf Hayomi beHalacha, which will take place on the 3rd of Nisan in the Yad Eliyahu stadium, with the participation of the members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah HaRav Boruch Dov Povarsky; HaRav Dovid Cohen; HaRav Shimon Ba'adani; the Admor of Sanz; the Admor of Boyan; the Admor of Alexander and the Admor of Modzhitz.
HaRav Binyomin Finkel, one of the rabbonim of Yeshivas Mir, opened the gathering with a short message about the need for a daily halachic study program. "I congratulate the Dirshu organization which established the Daf Hayomi beHalacha under the guidance of HaRav Yosef Sholom Eliashiv for the strengthening of the study of Mishnah Berurah in an organized manner, for the purpose of endowing a person with a clear knowledge of all six volumes of the Mishnah Berurah.
The Admor of Vishnitz opened his address with thanks to the gedolei haTorah for their participation in this exalted occasion for the honor of Torah and dwelled upon the importance of efficient utilization of time, as well as of the study of and conduct according to Halacha in every facet of one's daily life. He explained Chazal's saying that "Whoever studies Halacha every day" to mean throughout the entire day and not only once a day, for a person's conduct at all times must be according to Halacha. This is the significance of "halichos olam," that all of his comings and goings should be grounded in Halacha, every day and throughout the day.
The Admor of Gur asked that a message be conveyed in his name expressing wishes of success for the gathering. "It is very vital to arouse and influence the [need for the] study of Halacha."
HaRav Shimon Ba'adani, member of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, stressed the importance of Halacha study precisely at a time when the world is in such turmoil.
The Admor of Sanz related to the words of HaRav Ba'adani and said that our holy seforim say that precisely the study of Halacha is conducive to save one from all the harsh threats and dangers which prevail in the world.
The concluding message was delivered by HaRav Shteinman, who spoke about the importance of daily Halacha study. "A man must conduct his entire life according to the four parts of the Shulchan Aruch. This is fundamental. But the fact that the Chofetz Chaim chose to write his work on Orach Chaim (or even according to those who maintain that he also intended to wrote on the other volumes of the Shulchan Aruch but began with the Orach Chaim) shows us that one must really study Halacha every day. Contrary to the other three parts, Orach Chaim is the work which deals with our daily life, our daily conduct according to the Halacha; this volume applies to every day of one's life. Accordingly, study thereof should also be part of one's daily schedule. May Hashem grant us that the merit of a daily regimen of Halacha study enable us to hasten the Geula and the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash, speedily and in our days."
