In a scene that transformed the heart of a major sports arena into a palace of Torah, thousands converged on the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Sunday night for the fourth Adirei HaTorah maamad, a majestic show of support for the yungeleit of Bais Medrash Govoah in Lakewood, NJ.
From cities and towns across the tri-state area, busloads and cars of attendees arrived with one shared purpose: to proclaim the honor and centrality of limud haTorah and to pay tribute to those who dedicate their lives to it. The event marked the continuation of an extraordinary movement launched four years ago to uphold and strengthen the pillars of Torah learning through financial support of Lakewood’s kollel yungeleit.
The arena’s doors opened at 4:30 p.m., but this was no ordinary evening at Wells Fargo. Gone were the sports banners and celebrity endorsements. In their place were powerful declarations of kavod haTorah, with mottos and visuals emphasizing the preciousness of those who carry the spiritual burdens of Klal Yisroel. As guests entered, they were offered refreshments, while inside the arena they were met with a magnificent sight: a vast, majestic dais constructed for the hundreds of roshei yeshiva, rabbonim, and roshei chaburah in attendance.
The air was charged with anticipation and uplifted by sweet sounds of music. Keyboardist Meir Adler, flown in from Eretz Yisroel, was joined by singers Yanky Daskal, Zanvil Weinberger, and Hershy Weinberger, accompanied by the Shira and Yingerlach Choirs. Their stirring melodies provided the evening with an atmosphere of joy and reverence.
Mincha was led by Rabbi Eliezer Berl, father of Chaim Zelig Aryeh Berl z”l, one of the three bochurim recently niftar in a tragic accident.
Following Mincha, Tehillim was recited for acheinu Bnei Yisroel by Rav Chaim Ginsburg, senior rosh chaburah at Bais Medrash Govoah.
The event’s seating reflected its values. The coveted floor-level seats were not available for purchase; they were designated exclusively for veteran yungeleit of Bais Medrash Govoah, underscoring the evening’s central theme.
As the roshei yeshiva entered the arena, accompanying the esteemed guest from Eretz Yisroel, Rav Ezriel Auerbach, the crowd rose in a unified, thunderous display of kavod haTorah.
Rav Nochum Binder, who served as the evening’s emcee, opened the program by reflecting on the journey of the Adirei HaTorah campaign. In just four years, the initiative has raised tens of millions of dollars, sustaining the heartbeat of Torah in Lakewood.
The rosh yeshiva, Rav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, was then introduced to heartfelt singing of “Yomim al yemei melech tosif.”
Following Rav Kotler’s remarks, several niggunim, including Rav Boruch Ber Leibowitz’s Kol Dodi Dofeik, were sung. As the singers sang, a video depicting Bais Medrash Govoah and its yungeleit was shown.
A moving video followed, with archival footage featuring gedolim including Rav Elya Svei, Rav Chaim Leib Epstein, Rav Shmuel Berenbaum, Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky, and Rav Mordechai Gifter.
During the next medley, singer Naftali Kempeh joined the other singers for his own composition, “Baavur Avoseinu.”
The special guest from Eretz Yisroel, Rav Ezriel Auerbach, was then introduced, and the crowd erupted in song.
Following Rav Auerbach’s drasha came perhaps the highlight of the evening, a special appearance by the zekan roshei hayeshivos, Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky. The crowd responded with unfiltered reverence, dancing and singing for many minutes.
A poignant video segment followed, commemorating two outstanding yungeleit who were niftar in the past year, Rav Boruch Ber Ziemba and Rav Chaim Lipschutz. The roshei yeshiva shared heartfelt words about these dedicated bnei Torah, painting a picture of lives steeped in Torah and kedusha.
A Siyum Hashas on Talmud Bavli and Talmud Yerushalmi, learned b’iyun by the yungeleit of Bais Medrash Govoah, was made, with the Hadran  recited by Rav Yisroel Neuman, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah. After Rav Neuman recited the Hadran, the Kaddish for the siyum was then recited by a son of Rav Boruch Ber Ziemba.
With the answer of the final amein and a cry of “Mazel tov!” the crowd erupted with pure joy and simchas haTorah. Singer Shloime Daskal joined the musical ensemble for the celebratory medley.
Rav Uren Reich, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Ohr Zechariah, then delivered a magnificent and masterfully delivered keynote drasha that crystallized the evening’s message, paying tribute to the yungeleit of Klal Yisroel, who are its crown and future, and recognizing the machzikei Torah, as well as the heroic wives of the yungeleit, who continue to support their limud haTorah.
After an uplifting Meron-themed medley, the thousands joined together in Kabbolas Ohl Malchus Shomayim, led by Rav Yeruchom Olshin, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah.
A brief final round of singing and dancing followed—shortened due to the late hour—and then Maariv was led by Rav Avrohom Lipschutz, mashgiach of Telshe Yeshiva in Chicago.
As the crowd began to file out, music still echoing through the cavernous arena, the prevailing feeling was unmistakable: this was not just an event, but a statement, a declaration of loyalty to Torah, a celebration of those who live by it, and a promise that the fire of limud haTorah will continue to burn brightly.
The Adirei HaTorah maamad had once again fulfilled its mission, with splendor, emotion, and a resounding reminder that the lomdei Torah remain the crown jewels of our people.
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{Matzav.com}