“Please, as long as there are single girls (and boys) in the world, keep Rochi Kichel single”
As a talmid of Rav Brevda (I hope I’m worthy of that title), I read with keen interest the article published in honor of his tenth yahrtzeit. It was a very well-written and informative piece about the life of this gaon and tzaddik. However, there is an important aspect of his life’s work that cannot be left unmentioned: his phenomenal shiurim.
Rav Brevda’s koach hatziur was remarkable. He was a master of descriptiveness and depiction. He literally transported his listeners back to the world of our avos hakedoshim, illustrating how they dealt with all their life’s challenges and adversaries and showing us how it applied to our lives. He seamlessly wove a tapestry of Chazal, Vilna Gaon, Arizal and his own incredible chiddushim, interspersed with his trademark sense of humor. What emerged was an in-depth central theme of the parshah. It was an otherworldly delight.
One frigid, unforgettable Friday night he was scheduled to speak from eight to nine o’clock. There were only about ten of us, due to the inclement weather. Rav Brevda himself made the long trek all the way from 17th Ave. and 53rd St. to Ave. F and East 2nd [Rav Ashkenazi’s shul] with his faithful son Reb Ahron. His dedication to us as he spoke was palpable.
In the middle of the shiur he suddenly caught himself, after noticing the clock behind us, which was facing him. Realizing it was already 9:45, he apologized to us that he wasn’t aware how late it was and that he would end momentarily. All of us begged him to please continue, so mesmerized were we by his words.
Create a free account to keep reading.
