HaRav Edelstein speaking at the siyum
The Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Gershon Eidelstein, presented an exceptionally vibrant chizuk message at the siyum of Maseches Oholos studied intensively by the Center of the Study of Shas, "Nachalas Moshe" in Bnei Brak this past motzei Shabbos. The tractate was studied within the structure of a weekly shiur delivered every motzei Shabbos by HaRav Issamar Garbuz, Rosh Yeshivas Orchos Torah, dedicated to the memory of HaRav Eliezer Mann Shach and established immediately after the latter's passing.
In his message, HaRav Eidelstein stated, "Torah study is certainly an immeasurable thing, as Chazal said, `Torah study is comparable to all [those aforementioned values] collectively.' But there is an advantageous difference if the group is larger. We can learn this from Rashi's comment at the beginning of Parshas Bechukosai, which states that `Five shall pursue a hundred and a hundred shall pursue ten thousand.' Five can only drive out one hundred, with a ratio of one to twenty, while the ratio of one hundred to ten thousand is much greater at one to a hundred. This is true because the larger the group studying Torah, the greater the impact of each member and the greater level each one attains.
Even if there were only ninety-nine in the group, it would still be greater proportionately than that of a group of twenty, yet less than a full group of one hundred. If the group was comprised of fifty men studying Torah, it would be comparatively stronger than a group of twenty, yet they would not be able to repel five thousand, but much less. The reckoning changes according to the sum of Torah students since every additional one affects the level of the entire group quantitatively through a different proportion altogether.
"Thus, it turns out that each individual studying Torah does not only benefit himself personally, but also contributes to the group quantitatively which reaches a higher level, and to each member of that group himself. If there are one hundred men studying Torah, each one of them achieves a much higher level than if his group only numbered five."
