This week, the Yeshiva Gedolah in London was filled with extra joy as they celebrated the 31st birthday of Boruch Shneur Gordon, the special son of the yeshiva menahel, Rabbi Mendel Gordon.

The celebration also marked another major milestone, as the Shabbos before, Boruch Shneur had finally completed the entire Tehillim for the second time in his life!

When he turned 20 and had mastered the skill of reading, Boruch Shneur began saying Tehillim on Shabbos Mevorchim. Slowly and laboriously, connecting each letter to the next, he sat at the table every Shabbos Mevorchim for a very long time, managing one kapitel or more.

Every Shabbos Mevorchim for eight years, he picked up from where he had left off the month before. Until a number of years ago, Boruch Shneur finally completed the entire Tehillim for the first time!

“You think it’s easy to say a kapitel of Tehillim? It’s really hard!” Boruch Shneur said at a well attended kiddush he sponsored at the time. “You have to keep your finger on the place, and at the same time figure out each letter with the nekudos, and then figure out the next letter with the nekudos, and then say both letters together so it’s a word. But baruch Hashem, I did it!”

Now, several years later, just before his birthday, he finished the entire Tehillim for the second time.

The birthday celebration was thoughtfully arranged by the yeshiva shluchim, who presented him with special gifts and ensured the day was full of happiness and excitement for Boruch Shneur.

The festivities included a delicious array of treats, generously sponsored by local favorites: Tasti Pizza provided piping-hot pizza, Sushi Haven brought fresh sushi for everyone to enjoy, and Parkway Bakery contributed a beautiful birthday cake to complete the celebration.

The bochurim and hanholah gathered to celebrate his warmth, energy, and continued inspiration to everyone around him.

“For over three decades, Boruch Shneur has brightened the halls of the yeshiva, and his joyful presence was reflected back to him tenfold on his special day,” organizers told Anash.org. “May Boruch Shneur continue to bring nachas to the Rebbe, his family, and to all the bochurim and shluchim for many more wonderful years to come.”

The organizers also thanked the menahel gashmi, R’ Menachem Habib, for all his help and everything he does year-round.