I was not only humbled by what I experienced— I was also greatly envious
IT has now been more than 15 years since I, along with most of Klal Yisrael, was introduced to the new concept of Shas Yidden. I had heard and read about it but had no direct personal exposure to this incredible phenomenon. That changed when my beloved nephew, the young gaon Reb Tzvi Rudinsky, joined one of the first kollelim affiliated with this new movement in Klal Yisrael and I was able to evaluate his accomplishments.
My limited understanding was that this new idea targeted a particular demographic — the select few “illuyim” in our various Torah institutions that every generation is blessed with — and it has little to do with the average Reb Yisrael in the street.
My perception was completely off.
Several months ago, I was in Eretz Yisrael for the yahrtzeit of my father ztz”l. My dear friend Rav Avrohom Eisen, whose warm, infectious smile is matched only by his incredible enthusiasm for his life’s work, graciously invited me to participate in an upcoming siyum haShas and marathon bechinah for the members of the Shas Kollel. He promised me an incredible experience.
It was much, much more than that. It was a manifestation of Klal Yisrael’s deep connection to the Torah that has never been severed. On the contrary, it has thrived and morphed into something beyond comprehension.
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