More than 2,000 members of the Tiferes Zekeinim Levi Yitzchok kollel network from across Eretz Yisroel packed Binyanei HaUma in Yerushalayim on Wednesday night for a historic moment they had awaited for months.

For months, participants in the network’s 225 kollelim across the country immersed themselves in the dapim of Maseches Chagigah. Last night, for the first time, they all gathered under one roof to complete the masechta together at what was billed as the world’s largest siyum on Maseches Chagigah.

The event was masterfully emceed by media personality Binyamin Lipkin, who invited Rov and Rosh Kollel in Charish Rabbi Asher Zigdon to lead the siyum. As Rabbi Zigdon reached the final lines of the masechta, more than 2,000 participants rose to their feet as the sound of “Hadran Alach” echoed out loud.

Thousands of Yidden, most of whom had never met, completed the masechta together.

Before the crowd had returned to their seats, the lights dimmed. Giant screens showed a presentation highlighting the network’s six kollelim in Kiryat Ata. The city’s mayor, the city’s rov Rabbi Chaim Shlomo Diskin, roshei kollelim, and participants described how Kiryat Ata had become one of the network’s largest centers. Emotional testimonies followed as members shared how the kollel had transformed their lives. “It changes our lives,” they said.

Following the presentation, Rabbi Diskin, rov of Kiryat Ata and a member of the Beis Din Rabbonei Chabad, addressed the gathering.

“I was privileged to attend the farbrengen where the Rebbe announced the establishment of Tiferes Zekeinim Levi Yitzchok,” he said. “And now, here in this hall, we are witnessing the Rebbe’s vision becoming a reality.”

As he concluded, the Rebbe’s voice filled the auditorium. In the recording, the Rebbe outlined the vision for creating a kollel network for senior Yidden, a place that would restore their dignity and fill their later years with Torah and chayus. Looking around at the thousands gathered, it was clear that vision had come to life.

Rabbi Zevadia Cohen, Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv-Yafo and Av Beis Din, then addressed the audience, revealing a striking finding.

“I conducted a survey and discovered that everywhere a kollel from this network has opened, the divorce rate has declined,” he said. According to Rabbi Cohen, Torah gives a person meaning, stability, and joy, naturally strengthening the entire home.

Among the distinguished guests who came to honor the gathering were Rabbi Yitzchok Yehuda Yeruslavski, secretary of the Beis Din Rabbonei Chabad; Rabbi Zalman Yeruslavski, member of the Beis Din Rabbonei Chabad and rov of the Chabad community in Elad; Rabbi Eliyahu Bar Shalom, rov of Bat Yam; Rabbi Erez Elcharar, rov of Hod Hasharon; and Rabbi Yaakov Shapira, rosh yeshiva of Merkaz Harav.

The lights dimmed once again as the audience watched the story of Rabbi Yosef Cohen, head of the Chasdei Naomi organization. After battling kidney disease and undergoing dialysis treatments, he shared how the kollel had transformed his life.

“From dialysis treatments, I go straight to the kollel, and it gives me back my strength,” he said.

Many in the audience identified with his story, finding in the kollel far more than simply a place to learn.

Following the presentation, internationally known speaker Rabbi Yoav Akrish addressed the crowd.

“Hakadosh Baruch Hu is looking down at us, the Rebbe is looking down at us, and Rabbi Levi Yitzchok is looking down at us,” he said. “They marvel at the wonder taking place in this hall. Around the world, people at this age are slowing down, but here stand Yidden advanced in years yet young in spirit.”

Rabbi Shalom Duchman, director of Kollel Chabad, then presented the scope of the initiative: 225 kollelim in 95 cities with more than 2,000 members. He also shared what he personally heard from the Rebbe regarding the establishment of the kollelim. “Upon this depends his Olam Hazeh and his Olam Haba,” he quoted from the Rebbe, before reciting Shehecheyanu.

A special multimedia presentation on the life of the Rebbe’s father, Harav Levi Yitzchok, followed, tracing his journey from his rabbonus in Yekatrinoslav through his imprisonment and exile, and concluding with his enduring legacy. The production, which incorporated advanced technology, left a powerful impression on those in attendance.

Accompanied by the orchestra and the singing of Yishai Lapidot, philanthropist Lev Leviev, chairman of the World Bukharian Jewish Congress, took the stage.

“When I saw this hall filled to capacity,” he said, “I thought to myself, I wish we had an even larger hall.”

He then announced, “Anyone who wants to open a Tiferes Zekeinim Levi Yitzchok kollel is invited to do so. We will support it.”

Leviev, who celebrated his seventieth birthday that day, added, “From the Rebbe I learned that there is no such thing as retirement. These kollelim should have been established decades ago, but it is never too late.”

Following his remarks, the Rishon L’Tzion and Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Dovid Yosef, presented Leviev with the “Golden Letter,” a parchment signed by more than 2,000 members of the kollelim in appreciation of his support for the network.

“Fortunate are the eyes that witness this,” Rabbi Dovid Yosef declared. “At a time when some seek to diminish the value of Torah, this gathering demonstrates how Torah brings life, joy, and meaning. We have nothing but this Torah.” He also praised the Rebbe’s vision and the remarkable expansion of the kollel network.

The final keynote address was delivered by the Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar.

“Many great institutions have been established throughout the world,” he said, “but Tiferes Zekeinim Levi Yitzchok surpasses them all.”

He concluded by leading the gathering in Kabolas Ol Malchus Shomayim. Thousands stood as Rabbi Amar proclaimed “Hashem Hu HaElokim” seven times, with the entire audience responding in a powerful voice.

To the stirring melodies of Yishai Lapidot, the evening came to a close. Thousands of participants returned to their 225 kollelim across Eretz Yisroel to continue the Torah revolution that brings the Rebbe’s vision to life each and every day.

Photos: Chaim Tuito