Hundreds of bnei Torah from the prestigious Teshuvos V’Hanhagos Kollel Network, founded by the Posek HaDor, Maran HaGaon HaGadol Rav Moshe Sternbuch shlita, gathered from across Eretz Yisrael for the network’s central annual asifa on Erev Chag HaShavuos. Distinguished guests included HaGaon Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin shlita, the celebrated Chassidic mashpia HaRav HaTzaddik Reb Nachman Biderman shlita, and the rising new mashpia HaRav HaTzaddik Reb Yidel Deutsch shlita, whose words shook the hall. “In the year 5786,” they declared, “we are receiving the Torah from the Moshe Rabbeinu of our generation.” The event concluded with a special surprise arranged at the personal direction of the Posek HaDor. Full coverage below.
“Vayotzei Moshe es ha’am likras haElokim”
A breathtaking gathering, charged with kedushah and sublime ruach, was held in the Holy City on Erev Shavuos. The annual asifa this year reflected an unprecedented surge of growth in the network, which now spans six branches across Eretz Yisrael. In the past year alone, two new branches opened – in Rama Daled in Beit Shemesh and in the Torah city of Modi’in Illit. The Har Nof branch welcomed thirty new kollel yungerleit, with an additional eighteen joining across the other branches – a towering beacon of Torah and unwavering hasmadah.
“Pillars of the World – Ashrei Chelkechem”
The dais was graced by Gedolei Torah and Chassidus. The first to speak was the guest of honor, HaGaon Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo, who electrified the hundreds of kollel yungerleit gathered before him. Rav Sorotzkin emphasized that “Toraso umnaso” – the halachic principle that exempts yeshiva men from the draft – is no mere slogan but a precisely defined halachic concept rooted in Torah law itself. “Ashrei chelkechem,” he called out with deep feeling, “that your Torah is your craft, and that you merit sitting under the guidance of the Posek HaDor, who lights our way in this orphaned generation.”
He was followed by HaRav HaTzaddik Rav Nachman Biderman shlita, who opened his remarks with palpable awe: “We have merited the presence of the Shechina – the Posek HaDor, Mara d’Ara Kaddisha d’Yisrael.” Turning to the assembled kollel yungerleit with great intensity, he declared: “You are the pillars of the world! It is in the merit of your Torah and your toil that the entire world stands.” He closed his remarks by describing the Posek HaDor as the “Moshe Rabbeinu of the generation,” leading the bnei Torah toward kabbalas haTorah on Shavuos.
“That Same Torah from Har Sinai Still Burns Like Fire”
Next to address the crowd was the celebrated Chassidish mashpia HaRav HaTzaddik Rav Yehudah Deutsch shlita – the remarkable new mashpia who has been capturing hearts and audiences across the Torah world. His fiery words and niggunim of dveikus lifted the hearts of all present in anticipation of Matan Torah.
Drawing on solid proofs from the Gemara, Rav Deutsch elaborated on the great privilege of hekabbalas p’nei rabo, and underscored how fortunate the kollel yungerleit are to experience this in the holy shadow of the Posek HaDor. He then brought the hall to its feet: “Moshe kibbel Torah miSinai umesarah” – and here, in the year 5786, we still merit to receive the Torah from the Moshe Rabbeinu of our own generation! We see with our own eyes, he said, that the very same Torah from Har Sinai continues to burn like glowing coals among the lomdei Torah of the Teshuvos V’Hanhagos network.
The Posek HaDor’s Keynote Address:
“We Are Happy and Fortunate – They Live Like Animals”
A hush fell over the hall as Maran the Posek HaDor, HaGaon Rav Moshe Sternbuch shlita, rose to deliver his keynote speech – centered on the essence of the unique simcha on Shavuos, and the demands of the hour in the face of the harsh decrees threatening the Torah world.
He opened with characteristic directness: “The frei Yidden pity us – ‘nebbach,’ they think, so much is forbidden to them, a new restriction at every turn.” His voice carrying both pain and conviction, he continued: “But the truth is the complete opposite! We are joyful, we are fortunate, we tremble with gladness knowing we have a direct connection to our Creator, that we merit true eternal life. The freier, by contrast, live like animals – they eat to live and live to eat, until they die just as an animal dies. Baruch Hashem Who did not make our lot like theirs and set us apart from those who go astray! That is why on Shavuos we must rejoice with boundless simcha – to demonstrate before all the world how good it is to bear the yoke of Torah and mitzvos, and that the Torah of Hashem is more precious to us than thousands of gold and silver.”
Maran shared sacred memories from his youth in London, in the year before the outbreak of World War II, when he spent time in the presence of Maran HaKadosh Rav Elchanan Wasserman Hy”d: “I remember how Reb Elchanan – no longer a young man – danced on Shavuos with extraordinary energy for over an hour without pause. That stirring sight of simchas haTorah left an indelible mark on us for the rest of our lives.” He also recalled the yeshiva of HaGaon Rav Moshe Schneider zt”l in London, where they would interrupt the Shavuos night learning to break into dancing and singing in honor of the Torah’s greatness – demonstrating to the world that we are not to be pitied; we are the most fortunate of all people.
“They Fight Us Out of Jealousy – Fear the Sweetness, Not the Decrees”
Maran then turned to the urgent struggle being waged over the very existence of Torah life in Eretz HaKodesh, and his words rang out with power throughout the entire Chareidi world:
“The secular Jews know full well, deep in their hearts, that we are the fortunate ones – and that is precisely why they burn with such fierce jealousy, to the point of ‘katzti b’chayai.’ They are afraid that as we continue to grow in Eretz Yisrael, they will no longer be free to live as they please, without restraint. Their entire aim is to contaminate the people of Hashem and drag us into their army. They don’t need us there militarily – that is not the point at all! Their one and only goal is to make us like them, chas v’shalom. We are absolutely obligated to distance ourselves from them and from any contact with them, for tum’ah is absorbed even through mere touch. Only in this way will we preserve our kedusha.”
In closing, Maran praised the tremendous efforts of his son, HaRav HaGaon Rav Chaim Ozer Sternbuch shlita, who dedicates himself day and night to building and sustaining the kollelim. He blessed him that he should continue to magnify and glorify the Torah and witness ever-greater miracles in the expansion of the borders of kedushah.
A Special Surprise at the Posek HaDor’s Direction: Envelopes and Generous Yom Tov Packages
Following the address, hundreds of kollel yungerleit broke out in exuberant song and niggunim of kabbalas haTorah.
As the kollel yungerleit exited the hall, they discovered a special surprise that had been arranged at the personal direction and express request of Maran the Posek HaDor – a reflection of his deep concern for the welfare of his bnei Torah and their families as Yom Tov approached. Each kollel yungeman received a personal envelope along with a generous, beautifully assembled basket of quality dairy products for Shavuos, provided with the generous sponsorship from the Tnuva company.
Their neshamos elevated and their spirits overflowing with the joy of Torah, the hundreds of kollel yungerleit made their way home – spiritually recharged and ready to greet the Yom Tov, continuing their role as the true protective bulwark of Klal Yisrael.
[Press Release]
