The Tenth Siyum HaShas

Personal Reflections

Standing outside Madison Square Garden I contemplated the irony of this building’s purpose. Today the venders would not sell Rangers and Knicks apparel, but instead the vendors offered commemorative Talmuds. The traditional hot-dogs and beer were not s old, but kosher snacks were offered in their place. The fans were as loud, but their cheers controlled and unified in prayer and song. The fans were decked out for the important event, but their attire more somber. And yes, there was a main event, an ev ent that drew many. However the event was of a distinctly Jewish character as opposed to the conventional Greco-Roman offerings.

A sense of anticipation and excitement brewed within me. I was about to enter the Tenth Siyum Hashas of Daf Yomi. Seven and a half years ago my Rebbi took me to the same event. However, there was a stark contrast between my previous experience - yout h has a way of overshadowing events, and this experience was no exception. I have spent time in yeshiva, I have partaken in the study of that which was to be celebrated. I have matured. And as I entered Madison Square Garden, I felt prepared to truly par take in this momentous occasion and experience.

The event celebrated the culmination of the Daf Yomi cycle, but in essence it far exceeded a mere celebration. The approximately 26,000 Jews that filled the building gave off a sense of unity that, sadly, has most often been achieved through deat and destruction.“Unity,” seemed to be the catch word of the evening, stressed by every speaker.

As so many will attest, the Siyum climaxed during the Mincha and Ma’ariv services. 26,000 Jews praying in unison; the audience’s responses bouncing off the walls of MSG in a deafening roar. I felt the shivers running down my spine.

There were many speeches in Yiddish (they were translated to English and transmitted on an FM frequency within MSG) which served to give the event a sense of authenticity and history. On the dais sat Rabbis representing a huge cross section of Orthodox factions, from Chassidic Rebbes to YU Rabbeim, among them: University President Rabbi Lamm, and MYP Rebbeim, Rabbi Parness, Rabbi Bronspiegel, Rabbi Ben-Haim, and Rabbi Schachter; Ashkenazim and Sephardim; Americans, Brits, and Israelis. Past, present and far expanses were bridged to form a rare display of Jewish power and unity.

It was also an evening of commemoration. One cannot celebrate unity without remembering those whom we have lost. The contrast between our reality at this moment and our grandparents’ reality only fifty years ago suddenly dawned on me. The sight of gre at Talmidei Chachamim who have gone through the Shoah singing and dancing at the Garden was a powerful testament to our survival. It’s unfortunate that it usually takes a tragedy like that of Nachshon Waxman to bring Jews together in song a nd prayer.

Notably absent was the mention of Israel or of controversial issues that separate world Jewry today. The organizers of the event chose to put aside the differences and viewpoints that would inevitably alienate one group from another. This was not a nig ht for solving problems, this was a night that transcended the differences and stressed that which we have in common. As Rabbi Lamm told me on the dais, “This magnificent event is a great tribute to the organizers, and it is a healthy and hopeful sign tha t Orthodox Jews can achieve achdut through the study of Torah.”

On a technical note, the Aguda deserves great praise for their incredible organization within the Garden itself. With the exception of several speeches running overtime, everything ran smoothly and punctually. Furthermore I was most impressed with th e coordinated simulcasts between MSG and Nassau Colesium and the fact that the Siyum Hashas was broadcast to groups across the world.

The Tenth Siyum Hashas was an extraordinary night which saluted those who have diligently studied Torah, and acknowledged the tenacity of Am Yisroel throughout the generations.