Day One:
The 25th Annual Agudah Yarchei Kallah in Yerushalayim kicked off on Sunday at the Ramada Hotel in Yerushalayim, setting the stage for a week filled with limud haTorah, high-level shiurim, and non-stop chizuk and hisorerus.
Following registration, the attendees embarked on a journey to Bnei Brak, where they visited Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Rashbi, at his home. In a deeply moving gathering, Rav Bergman shared heartfelt divrei chizuk and personal stories, drawing on his connections with the Chazon Ish, inspiring all those present with his words of chochmah and chizuk.
The group then continued to Yeshivas Slabodka, where they davened Maariv together with the bnei hayeshiva.
After Maariv, the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, shared a powerful message about the constant journey of growth that defines a Yid’s life. He emphasized that a Yid should always be on an upward trajectory, always striving to build upon previous achievements and continue growing in Torah and mitzvos. This message resonated deeply with everyone in attendance, reminding them that the pursuit of ruchniyisdige elevation is a lifelong endeavor.
Next, the group went across the street to visit the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Dov Landau, who also shared divrei chizuk.
With hearts full of inspiration, the crowd boarded the buses for the return trip to Yerushalayim, where a light supper awaited them at the Ramada Hotel.
While the men were in Bnei Brak, the women took part in a powerful visit to the home of Rebbetzin Soloveitchik, wife of Rav Dovid Soloveitchik zt”l, on Rechov Eli Hakohein in Yerushalayim. Providentially, Sunday marked the yahrtzeit of Rav Soloveitchik, and the occasion was marked by inspiring divrei hisorerus from Rebbetzin Soloveitchik.
The opening day of the Yarchei Kallah has set a tone for what promises to be a deeply enriching and transformative week.
Day Two:
The second day of the annual Agudah Yarchei Kallah in Yerushalayim was a beautiful blend of in-depth limud haTorah, incredible shiurim, and powerful chizuk. The day began with the customary hachanah and limud b’chavrusa, as the inspiring sounds of the kol Torah filled the bais medrash at the Ramada Hotel. The atmosphere was electric, with participants eagerly engaging in rigorous limud in preparation for the day’s shiurim.
Following this, there was an introduction to the sugya d’kallah, with a comprehensive shiur hachanah delivered by Rav Shlomo Gottesman, setting the tone for the learning ahead.
At the end of the morning seder, the Yarchei Kallah pesichah was delivered by Rav Chaim Yitzchok Kaplan, the mashgiach of Yeshivas Chevron and R”M at Yeshivas Pachad Yitzchok. His powerful words were a perfect opening for the first full day of the Yarchei Kallah, highlighting the importance of yegiah in Torah and constant aliyah.
A special visit to Kever Rochel that afternoon added a deeply emotional layer to the day. Attendees gathered at the site, offering heartfelt tefillos and taking a moment for reflection.
During the afternoon seder, participants were treated to a shiur hakdamah from Rav Asher Weiss, Av Beis Din of Darchei Torah and Rosh Mosdos Minchas Asher. His brilliant shiur, which delved into the finer details of the sugya, captivated the lomdim with his thorough understanding and mastery of the subject matter.
Rav Pinchos Friedman, Rosh Hakollelim of Belz, then offered powerful divrei chizuk and hisorerus, inspiring all who were present. His words of chizuk resonated deeply.
During dinner, Rav Yitzchok Berkovits, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Aish HaTorah and Rosh Kollel of the Jerusalem Kollel, delivered a stirring drasha on the importance of being nosei b’ohl im chaveiro. His message was particularly moving as he spoke of the sacrifices of those in Eretz Yisroel who are giving their lives and risking their safety to protect the land and the Jewish people. He hailed those who have come to Eretz Yisroel to spend a week immersed in limud haTorah, celebrating their dedication.
The evening concluded with a shiur halacha l’maaseh on the sugya from Rav Chaim Mayer Roth, Rav of Bais Medrash Sterling Forest-Sefard in Lakewood and Dayan with Bais Din Maysharim. His practical introduction to the sugya and clear insights were a fitting way to end the day.
The Yarchei Kallah, as in past years, is an extraordinary event, filled with opportunities for hasmadah, aliyah, and chizuk. The participants are uplifted and energized, their hearts and minds enriched by the koach haTorah. Truly, the Yarchei Kallah is a shining example of how the power of limud haTorah can elevate one and all.
Day Three:
The third day of the 25th annual Agudah Yarchei Kallah in Yerushalayim unfolded with unmatched intensity, deepening the participants’ kesher to Torah through a series of enriching shiurim. Held at the Ramada Hotel, the event continues to provide a unique, unparalleled experience of limud haTorah and hisorerus.
The olam, as they had on previous days, engaged in an intense exploration of the sugya d’kallah, focusing on the topic of “Uman Shekilkel – General and Professional Malpractice and Related Issues.” This sugya is allowing the attendees to dive deeply into the laws surrounding malfeasance and errors through the lens of halacha, offering an enlightening and immersive experience like none other.
The morning began with the usual preparation, hachana and limud b’chavrusa, the atmosphere charged with energy as lomdim eagerly delved into the sugya. The first shiur of the day was delivered by HaRav Shraga Kallus, Rav of K’hal Imri Pi in Ramat Shlomo and Rosh Kollel at Machon L’Horaah L’Rabbanim.
Next came a scintillating shiur iyun from HaRav Dovid Cohen, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Chevron, and, for those who wished to hear a presentation in English, a shiur from HaRav Meir Tzvi Spitzer, R”M at Yeshivas Mir.
The afternoon seder continued with rigorous learning, followed by a shiur halacha from HaRav Nissan Kaplan, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Daas Aharon. His ability to clarify complex concepts with precision and depth made the shiur particularly impactful, leaving the participants with a stronger grasp of the subject matter and its practical implications.
As the day transitioned into the evening, the participants boarded buses and traveled to the Shmuel Hanavi neighborhood, where they had the rare privilege of hearing a shiur on the sugya d’kallah from HaRav Asher Arieli, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim. The shiur was delivered with the trademark clarity for which Rav Arieli is known. The room was filled with awe as Rav Arieli’s words not only conveyed the depth of yedios haTorah he possesses, but also an aura of kedusha and taharah that touched the hearts and minds of all present. The presence of one of the gedolei hador infused the olam with a palpable sense of aliyah.
The evening featured a stirring drasha from HaRav Yosef Elefant, R”M at Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim. His divrei hisorerus resonated deeply with the attendees, as he offered words of chizuk that invigorated the spirit and reinforced the core messages of the Yarchei Kallah.
The day culminated with a final shiur halacha l’maaseh b’inyan hasugya from HaRav Dov Kahan, Av Bais Din at Bais Din Maysharim. His practical, yet profound insights on the sugya provided the participants with concrete tools for applying the halachic principles they had been studying to real-life scenarios.
As the day came to a close, the sense of accomplishment in the air was palpable. The olam had immersed themselves in limud haTorah of the highest caliber. With their hearts full of chizuk and their minds sharpened by the extensive learning, the participants retired for the night, resting up for the following day’s program, which promised to be just as enriching and transformative.
Day Four:
The fourth day of the Agudah Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah was one of intensive limud haTorah, featuring shiurim and shmuessen from renowned gedolei Torah.
The morning seder began with a fascinating Shiur Halacha delivered by HaRav Yitzchok Zilberstein, Rosh Kollel of Bais Dovid in Cholon and Rav of Ramat Elchanan in Bnei Brak. Rav Zilberstein’s shiur centered around the sugya d’kallah of “Uman Shekilkel,” delving into real-life malpractice scenarios and presenting fascinating teshuvos to practical questions related to the topic. The room was captivated as Rav Zilberstein expertly navigated each shailah, providing crystal-clear answers.
Following Rav Zilberstein’s shiur, there was an Iyun Shiur from HaRav Asher Weiss, Av Beis Din of Darchei Torah and Rosh Mosdos Minchas Asher. Rav Weiss, renowned for his unparalleled clarity and Torah mastery, once again impressed the attendees with his remarkable chiddushim and brilliance.
In the afternoon, HaRav Mordechai Carlebach, the renowned mechaber of Chavatzeles Hasharon, delivered a Sugya Shiur in Chumash. His profound Torah insights – which are cherished and studied by lomdei Torah worldwide – enriched the learning experience for everyone in attendance.
The afternoon seder featured a 2-hour panel titled “Iyunim & Case Studies – Halacha L’maasah,” featuring venerated Lakewood rabbonim and dayanim HaRav Dov Kahan, HaRav Ari Marburger, and HaRav Chaim Meir Roth. The panel offered practical halachic insights and case studies, giving the participants the opportunity to engage with contemporary halachic dilemmas in a real-world way.
The afternoon seder concluded with an incredibly powerful drasha from the renowned mashpiah Rav Elimelech Biderman. Rav Biderman captivated the crowd with his shmuess, weaving together messages and chizuk about limud haTorah, emunah, and bitachon, leaving the audience deeply inspired.
The night ended with a Shiur Halacha L’maasah on the sugya d’kallah delivered by HaRav Ari Marburger. His shiur was a fitting end to the day.
With only one day remaining, the Agudah Yarchei Kallah continues to be an incredible, unparalleled experience.
To hear some of the shiurim, click here. To see photos of the event, click here.