With the Nasi HaYeshivah, HaRav HaGaon R. Dovid Hofstadter, and the Renowned Maggid, Rav Yehudah Yosefi
Acheinu’s Yeshivah LeTze’irim was founded for students from Torani schools in outlying communities throughout Eretz Yisrael. For the most part, their parents have no background in yeshivah learning, and no firsthand experience with the yeshivah world. A few days before Shavuos, students and parents came together at Acheinu for a unique “Yeshivah Day” devoted entirely to Torah.
The program opened with greetings from the Rosh HaYeshivah, HaRav Michoel Berlin, who discussed the great significance of the Sheloshes Yemei Hagbalah leading up to Shavuos, and the powerful bond forged between father and son by shared Torah study.
Renowned maggid Rav Yehudah Yosefi spoke of the vital importance of parents’ tefillos as a factor in their son’s success in learning. Rav Yosefi also pointed out that modern technology can be turned into a tool to enhance yiras Shamayim, citing surveillance cameras as an example. Now common in many locations, these cameras serve as a concrete reminder that there is an ayin ro’ah – an ever-present Heavenly Eye that sees all of man’s actions.
During the seudas mitzvah, Rav Chaim Farser, maggid shiur at the Yeshivah, praised Acheinu’s students, who disconnect from the many trials and temptations prevalent in our times. They connect instead to Torah study, using their time to write beautiful chiddushei Torah.
The highlight of the day was our own Avos U’banim session held in the Yeshivah’s beis medrash, with father, son, and each student’s mentor-tutor learning together. At the end of the session, Rav Zev Hofstadter spoke on behalf of the Yeshivah administration, mentioning the special importance of fathers and sons learning together before Shavuos. He recalled the exceptional accomplishments of his grandparents, who arrived in Canada from Europe after the Holocaust. Undeterred by the enormous challenges of a foreign country and a foreign language, they built a flourishing Torah community in their new home, against all odds. We all know that our children’s growth in Torah is precious, said Rav Hofstadter – how could we ever give it up due to short-lived, passing considerations?
Rav Hofstadter then called upon his father, HaRav HaGaon R. Dovid Hofstadter, shlita, Nasi HaYeshivah, to deliver the day’s keynote address. Rav Dovid Hofstadter spoke about the many tests and trials facing a ben Torah. He quoted the words of Pirkei Avos (6:4): “This is the way of Torah. Eat bread with salt, and drink a measure of water… and toil in Torah. If you do so, you are happy and it is good for you. You will be happy in this world, and will be good for you in the World to Come.” If we willingly accept the difficulties and are determined to withstand the tests, we will live happy, fulfilling lives. Rav Hofstadter related some of the hardships experienced by the great posek, HaRav Shmuel HaLevi Wosner (“the Shevet HaLevi”), zt”l, as a youth. Rav Wosner himself told Rav Hofstadter that when he learned in yeshivah, he literally did not leave the yeshivah building for over a year and a half!
At the day’s end, the parents left the Yeshivah uplifted and inspired, with only one question – when is the next “Yeshivah Day”?