NEWS
Agudath Israel's 18th Annual Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah (with a dozen pictures)

by Dei'ah Vedibur Staff

While it attracts top magidei shiur and rabbonim, the Yarchei Kallah participants themselves included many talmidei chachamim. The group spanned decades in age and represented every segment of the Jewish community, with some earning their livelihood in klei kodesh with others successful professionals and businessmen. All were united by a burning desire to devote themselves exclusively to four solid days of limud Torah.

"The concentration here was unbelievable," said Rabbi Labish Becker, executive director for Agudath Israel of America. "Normally everyone is always busy but here you didn't even hear a phone ring. Walking through the room and around the tables no one even looked up at you because they were all so focused on their learning."

The Sugya D'Kallah lent itself to countless fascinating discussions as a wide variety of questions arose that addressed dozens of different medical scenarios that impact daily life as well as emergency situations. Important issues such as the halachic ramifications of kidney donations and heart transplants were considered. Other fascinating issues such as whether it is better to use a gas powered, hybrid or an electrical vehicle under circumstances that necessitate going to a hospital on Shabbos were also discussed. Medical questions of every variety were raised during the Yarchei Kallah, with additional shiurim added at the last minute to accommodate participants' outpouring of interest on the many topics that were covered

Shiurei Halacha were presented by HaRav Asher Weiss, Av Beis Din Minchas Asher and Rosh Hayeshiva Mosdos Minchas Asher, HaRav Yitzchok Zilberstein, Rosh Kollel Bais Dovid in Cholon and Rav Ramat Elchonon in Bnei Brak and HaRav Nisan Kaplan, Rosh Yeshiva Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim,

With the 13th Siyum Hashas less than two years away, Daf Yomi shiurim were given by HaRav Naftoli Prizant R'M Yeshiva Gedola Chechnov and Maggid Shiur Daf Yomi Tiferes Menachem Boyan, HaRav Chaim Yehuda Ullman, R'M Yeshivas Bircas Aryeh Pressburg, and HaRav Naftoli Gefen, Maggid Shiur Kaminetzer Yeshiva, with English Daf Yomi delivered by Rabbi Yochonon Stengel, Menahel Bnos Yisroel of Baltimore, Rabbi Gedaliah Weinberger, Chairman Agudath Israel of America Daf Yomi Commission and Maggid Shiur Agudath Israel Zichron Chaim Tzvi of Madison and Rabbi Moshe Matz, Rav Agudath Israel of South Florida.

Hachana shiurim were given throughout the Yarchei Kallah by Rabbi Shlomo Gottesman, co-chairman of the Yarchei Kallah, with Chazara Shiurim presented by Rabbi Shlomo Cynamon, Rav Khal Bnei Torah in Flatbush.

Special nightly shiurim addressed several fascinating issues. A symposium tackled end of life issues led by Rabbi Eliezer Gewirtzman, member of Machon Chaim Aruchim and Rabbi Benzion Leser, coordinator of Machon Chaim Aruchim, with introductory remarks by Rivie Schwebel, member of Agudath Israel of America's Board of Trustees. Other topics included a presentation on genetics and stem cell research in halacha by Rabbi Dr. Avraham Steinberg, President Yad HaRav Herzog and Mechaber of Refuah B'Halacha and ethical and medical dilemmas in medicine by HaRav Hillel Dovid Geller, Rosh Kollel Bais Dovid in Cholon and HaRav Yosef Hoffner, Rav Mayanei Hayeshua Hospital.

There were emotional moments as well, on both Monday and Tuesday nights, with Divrei Hesped given for Maran HaRav Aron Leib Shteinman zt'l by HaRav Dovid Cohen and HaRav Yaakov Hillel, Rosh Yeshiva Yeshivat Chevrat Ahavat Shalom in Yerushalayim and a siyum on Shisha Sidrei Mishna combined with a Daf Yomi siyum on Maseches Shavuos given by HaRav Moshe Shteinman, Rosh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, son of HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman, zt"l.

Zichronos were also related by Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Sneider, chavrusa of Rav Aron Yehuda Leib Shteinman zt"l, and the guest speaker was HaRav Avrohom Chaim Feuer, Rosh Yeshiva Mesoras Mordechai and Rav B'Khal Chasidim Sha'arei Chesed in Yerushalayim.

Inspiring Divrei Chizuk and warm Divrei Neilah were offered on Thursday, the final day of the Yarchei Kallah, by HaRav Moshe Chaim Denderowitz, Rosh Yeshiva Yeshiva Ketana Sfas Emes and HaRav Pinchos Friedman, Rosh Hakollelim Belz.

The women of the Yarchei Kallah took advantage of the opportunity to enjoy full day tours which included opportunities to daven at kivrei tzadikim, Kever Rochel and the Kosel, as well as Kosel tunnels tours and visits to various sites including the Israel Aquarium and Maaleh Adumim. There were also special women's shiurim given by Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi, Rebbetzin Rena Tarshish, Rabbi Avrohom Chaim Feuer and Rabbi Yaakov Haber.

Participants visiting Kever Rochel

Organizers described this year's Yarchei Kallah as extremely powerful, saying it was a truly unique experience that left participants glowing with excitement.

"We have watched this beautiful Torah event grow for 18 years and the impact is unbelievable. The shiurim and chavrusas of the Yarchei Kallah that initially comprised a one-week event now extend throughout the entire year," said Rabbi Avrohom Nisan Perl, national director of the Agudah's Commission on Torah Projects.