The Yeshiva of South Shore’s Motzaei Shabbos Learning Program hosted its largest crowd to date at its annual kickoff event this past week. More than 500 people, including 300 boys, filled the beis midrash beyond its capacity. The kol Torah emanating from the tinokos shel beis rabban was electrifying and palpable, ranging from aleph–beis to the Midrash Says to tomes of Gemara, Rashi, and Tosfos. The sound of intergenerational Torah was awe-inspiring.
The yeshiva was proud to welcome Rabbi Ephraim Eliyahu Shapiro, rav of Shaaray Tefillah in North Miami Beach, Florida. Rabbi Shapiro, who had been visiting as part of Torah Umesorah’s Shabbos of Chizuk, captivated the audience with his engaging style. He spoke about the feat of building Noach’s Teivah and the importance of speaking in a friendly manner and engaging every person. He quoted the Ba’al Shem Tov on the pasuk of “Tzohar ta’aseh la’Teivah,” explaining that our words (teivah) must be shining like a gem (tzohar). He also shared some personal memories about his father’s relationship with Rav Yaakov Kamenetzky, zt’l. He cited an amazing story of his encounter with an African-American woman in the Aventura Mall, who related to him stories about her experiences with Rav Yaakov Kamenetzky while he was a guest in Miami’s Sovereign Hotel.
The learning program takes place every motzaei Shabbos, 90 minutes after sunset. Congregation Tiferes Tzvi serves as a satellite location for boys in the Lawrence-Cedarhurst area. To accommodate those who conform with the Rabbeinu Tam zeman, there are additional programs at the Shtiebel and Aish Kodesh that begin later.
With dozens of prizes–ranging from sefarim to electronics, cars, sports equipment, and more–children pack the yeshiva to learn and earn. This week, every boy received a coupon for a slushy at Seasons Express. One father beamed, “It’s such a big chizuk for me and my son to be part of the program each week. The minute after Havdallah, he’s racing out the door!” After all, what better way to start the week than with an hour of learning at YOSS?
The program, dedicated yearly in memory of Rav Yitzchok ben R’ Peretz Klein, featured this first night in memory of the rosh yeshiva, Rav Binyamin Kamenetzky, zt’l. Rav Binyamin graced the program with his effervescent presence every year on motzaei Shabbos Parashas Noach.Â
