An exclusive Shalosh Seudos was held at the Agudah Midwest convention in honor of the Rabbonim and gabbaim of existing Midwest Shul partnerships. With over 70 people in attendance, the crowd was privileged to hear Divrei Bracha from Rav Uren Reich shlita and Rav Yosef Elefant shlita. Before the program began, Rav Shmuel Yehuda Levin, son of HaRav Avrohom Chaim Levin zt”l, said that his father had a special affinity for Adopt-a-Kollel and became involved in it more than in any other organization, in a way that was out of character for him. His sons who were at the Convention therefore felt that they could not possibly miss the Adopt-a-Kollel Shalosh Seudos.
Rav Uren Reich shlita highlighted the Chazal which says, Barasi Yetzer Hara Barasi Torah Tavlin. Yet, we see people who learn every day but it does not seem to help them overcome the yetzer Hara? He shared a vort from one of the talmidim of Rav Yisroel M’Shklov, one of the greatest talmidim of the Vilna Gaaon who said that a strong yetzer Hara, one that is strong as a horse, needs a very strong dose of Torah to combat it. Rav Reich went on to say that in today’s day in age, an individual is not capable of such a strong dose on his own, but by partnering with Talmidei Chachomim, he can achieve enough of a dose to combat the yetzer hara. And that is what Adopt-a-Kollel provides for each of us. He shared a mashal from the Chofetz Chaim who describes a girl who is drowning, but nobody wants to jump in and save her for fear of getting dirty. One brave man saves her. Imagine the embarrassment of the crowd when they realize that she is the only daughter of the king. So too, when we realize what we could have done for Torah, but didn’t, we will be embarrassed. Let us instead step forward now and jump in to help the Torah HaKedosha.
Rav Yosef Elefant shlita brought personal regards and feedback from the avreichim in Eretz Yisroel. He learns once a week in Kollel Keser Torah, under Rabbi Yechezkel Abramov, which has been adopted by the Coventry Kehilla in Lakewood. He explained that just as we cannot fathom the poverty and simplicity with which the avreichim live, so too we cannot begin to understand the simcha they feel from knowing that a partner across the world cares about them and is inspired by their Limud HaTorah. The Shalosh Seudos was a tremendous chizuk for all participants and made them realize that they are part of something special.
