[Videos and photos below.] A maamad kabbolas ponim was held this evening at Bais Medrash Govoah in Lakewood, NJ to formally welcome the yeshiva’s newly appointed mashgiach, Rav Reuven Hechster.

The event took place at the end of second seder at the Beren Dining Hall of the yeshiva.

Rav Hechster was named to the position two weeks ago, marking a significant milestone for the Lakewood Yeshiva, the largest in the United States. His appointment comes nearly two years after the passing of the longtime mashgiach, Rav Mattisyahu Salomon.

In addition to his new role in Lakewood, Rav Hechster will continue serving as mashgiach of Yeshivas Mir Brachfeld in Modiin Illit. A close talmid of his revered rebbi, Rav Nosson Meir Wachtfogel, Rav Hechster was originally appointed to his position in Mir Brachfeld by the late rosh yeshiva, Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel.

Rav Hechster was approached with the proposal to assume the Lakewood post and sought daas Torah from Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch before making a decision. Delegations from Modiin Illit appealed for him to remain in the city, emphasizing the many mussar talks and vaadim he delivers there, while representatives from Lakewood urged him to accept the position and serve the yeshiva.

Following consultations, it was agreed that Rav Hechster would divide his time between the two mosdos. Under the arrangement, he will spend approximately 20 days each month in Modiin Illit at Mir Brachfeld and about 10 days in Lakewood.

Rav Hechster is widely regarded throughout the Torah world as a central address for guidance and chizuk, with thousands of yungeleit seeking his counsel. In Modiin Illit in particular, he is viewed as a trusted source of direction and inspiration.

Alongside his responsibilities as mashgiach of Mir Brachfeld, Rav Hechster delivers a mussar talk every Motzoei Shabbos, gives a weekly Tuesday vaad at Kollel Ateres Shlomo attended by hundreds of yungeleit, leads a Thursday night vaad for dozens of talmidim at Mir Brachfeld, hosts a Friday vaad for alumni in his home, and conducts a biweekly Sunday vaad for alumni at the Mir Yeshiva in Yerushalayim.

WATCH BELOW FOR CLIPS FROM TODAY’S MAAMAD KABBOLAS PONIM:


{Matzav.com}