The 25th Annual Agudah Yarchei Kallah in Yerushalayim was an extraordinary week of intense limud haTorah, high-level shiurim, and uplifting chizuk. This landmark event gathered dedicated participants from across the world, immersing them in limud haTorah at the highest level and connecting them with gedolei Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel.

The Yarchei Kallah opened on Sunday, February 16th, at the Ramada Hotel in Yerushalayim. The program began with a trip to Bnei Brak, where participants had the zechus to hear divrei chizuk from gedolei hador, including Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Rashbi, who welcomed the group into his home, as well as Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and Rav Dov Landau, roshei yeshiva of Yeshivas Slabodka.

From the very first morning, the kol Torah filled the beis medrash, as participants engaged in spirited chavrusa learning on the sugya d’kallah, “Uman Shekilkel – General and Professional Malpractice and Related Issues.” The daily schedule included shiurim delivered by some of the world’s most prominent roshei yeshiva and poskim, offering deep insights and practical applications of the sugya.

Throughout the week, attendees heard shiurim and divrei chizuk from an esteemed roster of gedolei Torah, including Rav Chaim Yitzchok Kaplan, mashgiach of Yeshivas Chevron and R”M at Yeshivas Pachad Yitzchok, who delivered the Yarchei Kallah pesichah. Rav Shlomo Gottesman opened the learning with a shiur hachanah, setting the tone for the in-depth limud ahead. Rav Asher Weiss, av beis din of Darchei Torah and Rosh Mosdos Minchas Asher, captivated participants with his explanation of the sugya. Rav Pinchos Friedman, Rosh Hakollelim of Belz, inspired the attendees with divrei chizuk and hisorerus. Rav Yitzchok Berkovits, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Aish HaTorah and rosh kollel of the Jerusalem Kollel, spoke passionately about being nosei b’ohl im chaveiro.

The schedule was packed with shiurim from leading marbitzei Torah, including Rav Dovid Cohen, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Chevron, Rav Nissan Kaplan, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Daas Aharon, Rav Shraga Kallus, rav of K’hal Imri Pi and rosh kollel at Machon L’Horaah L’Rabbanim, and Rav Meir Tzvi Spitzer, R”M at Yeshivas Mir, whose shiurim clarified intricate aspects of the sugya.

Tuesday night, participants had the extraordinary zechus to hear a shiur from Rav Asher Arieli, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim, in the Shmuel Hanavi neighborhood.

A riveting halachic panel featured Rav Dov Kahan, Rav Ari Marburger, and Rav Chaim Meir Roth, who analyzed practical applications of the sugya. Rav Yosef Elefant, R”M at Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim, delivered a stirring drasha that deeply resonated with participants, while Rav Elimelech Biderman’s words of hisorerus on limud haTorah, emunah, and bitachon infused the beis medrash with his unique energy and hislahavus.

A shiur was delivered by Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, rosh kollel of Bais Dovid in Cholon and rav of Ramat Elchanan in Bnei Brak, who explored real-world malpractice scenarios through the lens of halacha. Rav Mordechai Carlebach, renowned mechaber of Chavatzeles Hasharon, delivered an iyun shiur in Chumash, while Rav Amram Fried, dayan at Bais Medrash Halichos Shlomo, gave a dynamic interactive halacha shiur. Rav Yaakov Avrohom Cohen, rav of Ramat HaTzafon in Yerushalayim and member of the Beis Din of Rav Nissim Karelitz, and Rav Yosef Fleischman, av beis din of Nesivos Chaim, also delivered comprehensive shiurim.

On the final day of the Yarchei Kallah, shiurim were delivered by Rav Isamar Garbuz, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Orchos Torah, and Rav Chaim Mordechai Ausband, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo, who closed the program with divrei ne’ilah, reinforcing the power of limud haTorah and the responsibility to carry this week’s inspiration into daily life.

The women’s program at this year’s Yarchei Kallah was a highlight in its own right, offering an array of inspiring gatherings and engaging outings. The atmosphere of achdus and spiritual growth was palpable, as the women embraced meaningful opportunities for chizuk, connection, learning, and inspiration.

For many attendees, the Yarchei Kallah was nothing short of life-changing. “I came here hoping to immerse myself in limud haTorah, and I am leaving feeling like a new person,” shared one participant.

Another remarked, “The shiurim and the chavrusa learning reignited my passion for limud haTorah. I feel mechuzak in a way I never expected.”

One of the women in attendance reflected on the impact of the program, saying, “From the divrei chizuk to the extraordinary visits across the country, every part of this experience was life-changing. It was an uplifting and transformative journey.”

Participants left the Yarchei Kallah with their hearts uplifted and minds sharpened, filled with renewed passion for limud haTorah and an intensified commitment to growth in avodas Hashem. Energized by this transformative experience, many were already anticipating next year’s Yarchei Kallah, iy”H, to be held in Yerushalayim Habenuyah.

Learning in the Bais Medrash

Photo Credits: Agudath Israel of America/ Shmuel Heinemann