A prestigious Siyum HaRambam event took place at Yeshivas Toras Emes in Yerushalayim, addressed by distinguished guests, Harav Avrohom Binyomin Sofer, Rosh Yeshiva of Erloi, Harav Yisroel Yitzchok Mendelsohn, rov of Komemiyus, and R’ Daniel Goldberg, a senior physician at Shaarei Tzedek Medical Center.

A most distinguished Siyum HaRambam event took place at Yeshivas Toras Emes in Yerushalayim on Thursday night, the eve of 7 Adar.

The evening began with the recitation of the Rebbe’s Kapitel of Tehillim, followed by words of blessing delivered by the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Avrohom Yoel Lapidus.

The event was graced by Harav Avrohom Binyomin Sofer, Rosh Yeshiva of Ohel Shimon – Erloi. The event’s chairman, Rabbi Yinon Rot, invited the distinguished guest to address the gathering. In his remarks, Rav Sofer expounded upon the deep respect and admiration his illustrious father, the Erloiyer Rebbe, zt”l, held for the Rebbe, particularly regarding the Siyum HaRambam initiative.

Rav Sofer then delivered a compelling address in honor of the Siyum HaRambam, weaving together insights from his father on the parsha, the significance of Moshe Rabbeinu’s Yahrtzeit, the connection to the Siyum HaRambam, and more.

Following this, Hatomim Asher Deitsch reviewed a sicha of the Rebbe elucidating the Rambam’s unique order in listing the names of the Shevatim on the Ephod stones. The Rebbe’s explanation highlighted how this symbolizes the absolute unity of Klal Yisroel—each individual with their own unique identity—mirroring the objective of the Siyum HaRambam, which unites all Yidden through its study.

The Siyum on the 44th cycle of Rambam was then led by Rabbi Itche Meir Segal, one of the distinguished Ramim in the Yeshiva, renowned for his profound insights and explanations in both the masechtos learned in Yeshiva and in the daily Rambam study. He expounded on the Rambam’s famous letter to his talmid, where he foretells of a time when jealousy will cease, honor-seeking will fade, and only his seforim will be learned. Rabbi Segal expanded on this, suggesting that prior to the Rebbe’s takanah of daily Rambam study, the Rambam’s works were not systematically studied. Through the Rebbe’s initiative, however, the Rambam’s teachings have become a preparation for the imminent Geulah, may it be speedily in our days.

The opening of the 45th cycle of Rambam was then led by Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Tzirkus, another distinguished Rosh Yeshiva at Toras Emes, famed for his masterful delivery of shiurim in both Gemara and Rambam. He passionately emphasized that the daily Rambam study is not merely another obligation placed upon us by the Rebbe, but rather a tremendous gift and empowerment from the Rebbe, enabling us to learn the entire Torah within a single year.

R’ Daniel Goldberg, a senior physician at Shaarei Tzedek Medical Center, then spoke. Despite his many professional obligations, he has completed over ten cycles of the daily three-chapter Rambam study. He elaborated on the immense zechus and bracha of studying Rambam, sharing how it has positively impacted his personal life. He also encouraged setting aside time to learn Rambam early in the day and explained how it enhances one’s learning of Gemara as well.

The keynote address was delivered by Harav Yisroel Yitzchok Mendelsohn, rov of Komemiyus, and son of the late rov of Komemiyus, Harav Binyomin Mendelsohn, zt”l. Harav Mendelsohn opened his remarks by expressing a personal connection to Yeshivas Toras Emes, sharing that he would daven there on Shabbosim in the past. He recounted that when bochurim from the Yeshiva came to invite him, he was deeply impressed by their outstanding erudition in Torah.

Harav Mendelsohn then expounded on the close relationship his father had with the Rebbe. He shared a fascinating story involving Harav Yitzchok Yehuda Yaroslavsky, secretary of the Beis Din of Chabad in Eretz Yisroel. Harav Yaroslavsky once served as an assistant to Rov of Komemiyus, and before traveling to the Rebbe, he entered unexpectedly to receive a farewell bracha. At that moment, the Rov was deeply engrossed in learning the Rebbe’s sichos with great fervor. When Rav Yaroslavsky later shared this with the Rebbe in Yechidus, the Rebbe reacted with surprise and admiration, exclaiming, “R’ Binyomin is learning my sichos?”

Harav Mendelsohn then delved into intricate points in Rambam that are difficult according to the Acharonim and offered brilliant explanations, incorporating insights from Chassidus. This sparked a fiery back-and-forth pilpul with Rabbi Shmuel Pressman, a senior mashpia at the Yeshiva renowned for his deep shiurim in Chassidus and his inspiring farbrengens. The discussion continued for well over an hour, with talmidim joining in an animated dialogue on the words of the Rambam.

The event concluded with joyous niggunim celebrating the completion of the Torah.

This grand Siyum HaRambam was followed by an uplifting Shabbos, where Rabbi Pressman and Rabbi Aaron Ginzburg of Boro Park led the farbrengen. The farbrengen culminated in hakafos with a Sefer Rambam, as the assembled danced with heartfelt joy in honor of the Torah.