Photo Gallery: Adirei Hatorah 5785

In an extraordinary display of ahavas hatorah, thousands gathered at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Sunday night for the fourth Adirei HaTorah maamad, a grand celebration honoring lomdei Torah.

Attendees poured in by the busload and car from far and wide to honor the yungeleit who eschew worldly pursuits to be Hashem’s ligyon shel melech; the King’s army.

This momentous event marked the continuation of an impactful four-year initiative, meticulously designed to bolster Torah learning through vital financial support for the kollel yungeleit of Lakewood’s Bais Medrash Govoah.

Doors opened at 4:30 p.m., transforming the arena, usually used for sporting events.

A huge vast dais was erected, prepared for the hundreds of roshei yeshiva, rabbonim, and roshei chaburah gracing the event.

The organizers ensured that the atmosphere was joyous, bringing in many musicians. Keyboardist Meir Adler, flown in from Eretz Yisroel, was joined by the renowned singers Yanky Daskal, Zanvil Weinberger, and Hershy Weinberger. They were accompanied by the Shira and Yingerlach Choirs.

Mincha was led by Rabbi Eliezer Berl, father of Chaim Zelig Aryeh Berl z”l, one of the three bochurim who tragically passed away in a recent car accident. Following Mincha, Rav Chaim Ginsburg, a senior rosh chaburah at BMG, led the recitation of Tehillim.

In a powerful testament to the event’s core values, the most coveted floor-level seats were not available for purchase. Instead, these prime locations were exclusively reserved for the highly accomplished yungeleit of BMG.

The crowd was electrified as the Roshei Yeshiva made their dignified entrance, accompanying the esteemed guest from Eretz Yisroel, Rav Ezriel Auerbach. Their arrival was met with a palpable sense of reverence and excitement.

Rav Nochum Binder, the evening’s emcee, recounted the impactful journey of the Adirei HaTorah campaign. In a mere four years, this initiative has amassed tens of millions of dollars, effectively sustaining the vibrant heart of Torah in the largest Yeshiva in the country.

The rosh yeshiva, Rav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, was then introduced, his entrance met with the heartfelt singing of “Yomim al yemei melech tosif.” Following Rav Kotler’s insightful speech, several niggunim, including Rav Boruch Ber Leibowitz’s Kol Dodi Dofeik, filled the arena, accompanied by a compelling video showcasing BMG and its yungeleit.

A moving video presentation then featured footage of revered gedolim, including Rav Elya Svei, Rav Chaim Leib Epstein, Rav Shmuel Berenbaum, Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky, and Rav Mordechai Gifter.

Rav Auerbach’s inspiring speech was followed by a special appearance by the zekan roshei yeshivos, Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky. His presence ignited a fervent response from the crowd, who danced and sang in a joyous and extended celebration.

The evening culminated in a powerful Siyum Hashas on both Talmud Bavli and Talmud Yerushalmi, diligently learned b’iyun by the yungeleit of BMG. The Hadran was recited by Rav Yisroel Neuman, rosh yeshiva of BMG, and the Kaddish for the siyum was then recited by a son of Rav Boruch Ber Ziemba. After the final amein the crowd roared “Mazel tov!”

Rav Uren Reich, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Ohr Zechariah, then delivered a powerful drasha. He paid heartfelt tribute to the yungeleit of Klal Yisroel, recognizing them as the veritable crown and future of our people.

Towards the conclusion of the evening, the thousands gathered collectively to be mekabel Ohl Malchus Shomayim, led by Rav Yeruchom Olshin, rosh yeshiva of BMG. A brief final round of singing and dancing followed, shortened due to the late hour, before Maariv was led by Rav Avrohom Lipschutz, mashgiach of Telshe Yeshiva in Chicago.

Photos by Yissochar Dunoff:

Photos by Aaron Housman, Life and Lense