Thousands converged on the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Sunday night for the fifth Adirei HaTorah maamad in support of the yungeleit of Lakewood, NJ. Those who couldn’t get tickets to the primary venue filled the Cure Arena in Trenton, NJ, joining the full program via live hookup.

From cities and towns across the tri-state area, busloads and carloads of attendees arrived with one shared purpose: to proclaim the honor and centrality of limud haTorah and to pay tribute to those who dedicate their lives to it.

The arena’s doors opened at 3 p.m. Gone were the sports banners and celebrity endorsements. In their place were powerful declarations of kavod haTorah, with mottos and visuals emphasizing the preciousness of those who carry the spiritual burdens of Klal Yisroel. As guests entered, they were offered refreshments, while inside the arena they were met with a magnificent sight: a round majestic dais on the floor of the arena constructed for the hundreds of roshei yeshiva, rabbonim, and roshei chaburah in attendance.

The air was charged with anticipation and uplifted by the sweet sounds of music. Keyboardist Meir Adler, flown in from Eretz Yisroel, was joined by singers Yanky Daskal, Hershy Weinberger, Duvid Berger, Shaya Lebron, and the Yedidim and Yingerlach Choirs. Their stirring melodies provided the evening with an atmosphere of joy and reverence.

Tehillim was recited for acheinu Bnei Yisroel by Rav Chaim Ginsburg, senior rosh chaburah at Bais Medrash Govoah.

Mincha was led by Rabbi Moshe Schepansky, father of Eli Schepansky z”l, a bochur who was recently niftar in a tragic accident.

As the roshei yeshiva entered the arena, accompanying the esteemed guest from Eretz Yisroel, Rav Yitzchok Soloveitchik, the crowd rose in a unified, thunderous display of kavod haTorah.

Rav Nochum Binder, who served as the evening’s emcee, opened the program by reflecting on the current state of Klal Yisroel and the many challenges that seem to abound.

Tehillim was then recited, led by Rav Dovid Schustal, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah, who first delivered divrei chizuk.

Rav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah, was then introduced to address the maamad.

A video was then shown featuring a song to the tune of Shlomo Zolty’s Vahaviyosim, followed by a second song to Chaim Banet’s Machnisei Rachamim, sung by Boruch Levine, as well as V’ahavascha, Moshe Goldman’s Ani Maamin, and Yisgadal V’yisgadash.

The special guest from Eretz Yisroel, Rav Yitzchok Soloveitchik, was then introduced.

Following Rav Soloveitchik’s drasha, a poignant video was shown in memory of Rav Shimon Frank zt”l, an outstanding yungerman who was niftar during the past year. The video about this dedicated ben Torah painted a picture of a life steeped in Torah and kedusha.

The singing of Avinu Av Harachaim and several other niggunim was led by Yanky Daskal, who was joined by special guest singer Naftali Kempeh, who sang his own composition, Baavur Avoseinu.

A Siyum HaShas on Talmud Bavli and Talmud Yerushalmi, learned b’iyun by the yungeleit of Bais Medrash Govoah, was made, with the Hadran recited by Rav Yisroel Neuman, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah. After Rav Neuman recited the Hadran, the Kaddish for the siyum was recited by relatives of lomdei Bais Medrash Govoah who were niftar during the past year.

With the response of the final amein and a cry of “Mazel tov!” the crowd erupted with pure joy and simchas haTorah.

Rav Uri Deutsch, rov of the Forest Park Shul, then delivered the keynote drasha.

After an uplifting medley, the thousands joined together in Kabbolas Ohl Malchus Shomayim, led by Rav Yeruchom Olshin, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah, who first delivered divrei chizuk.

A brief final round of singing and dancing followed, bringing the program to a close shortly after 9 p.m.

As the crowd began to file out, with music still echoing through the cavernous arena, the prevailing feeling was that the Adirei HaTorah maamad had once again fulfilled its mission—with a resounding reminder that the lomdei Torah remain the crown jewels of our people.

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{Matzav.com}