Following the historic Keren Olam HaTorah gathering in Lakewood on Thursday night, a distinguished delegation of Gedolei Yisroel arrived in Monsey on Friday for a full day of chizuk and fundraising on behalf of the Torah world in Eretz Yisroel.
The mission featured private gatherings at the homes of prominent supporters Reb Shimon Glick and Reb Leizer Scheiner, culminating in a massive Kavod HaTorah event at the Atrium attended by thousands from across the Monsey community.
At the morning gathering in the home of Reb Shimon Glick, speakers addressed the unprecedented challenges facing lomdei Torah in Eretz Yisroel. Reb Shimon spoke passionately about the obligation to strengthen kavod haTorah at a time when the Torah world is under attack, recalling a remark from Maran Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman zt”l that if the challenges facing Torah could be solved with money alone, it would be considered a blessing.
The central address was delivered by Maran HaGaon Rav Dov Landau shlit”a, who warned of the grave dangers confronting the Torah world in Eretz Yisroel.
“The Torah world in Eretz Yisroel is in great danger,” Rav Dov declared. “If, chalilah, there would not be a Torah world in Eretz Yisroel, there would not be one in America either. Everything depends on Eretz Yisroel.”
Rav Shimon Galai shlit”a delivered an emotional address describing the fear and uncertainty being experienced by many families in Eretz Yisroel, while Rav Yaakov Hillel shlit”a emphasized that Hashem has granted Torah supporters around the world the unique zechus of directly sustaining Torah in its purest form.
Additional divrei chizuk were delivered by Rav Chaim Mordechai Ausband shlit”a and other members of the delegation.
The mission then continued at the home of Reb Leizer Scheiner, where another gathering of supporters heard inspiring remarks from the Gedolim. Rav Ausband spoke about the deep bond between supporters of Torah worldwide and the Torah world in Eretz Yisroel, while Rav Avraham Salim shlit”a discussed the far-reaching impact of the current gezeiros on Torah communities throughout Eretz Yisroel.
Rosh Yeshiva Rav Malkiel Kotler shlit”a reflected on the significance of the name “Keren Olam HaTorah,” explaining that the Torah world exists as an independent reality guided by its own values and mission. Rav Dov later joined the gathering, thanking Reb Scheiner for his longstanding dedication to Torah causes and offering heartfelt brachos to him and all those assembled.
The day reached its climax at a massive gathering at the Atrium, where thousands packed the hall just hours before Shabbos to hear directly from the Gedolei Yisroel.
Reb Reuven Wolf opened the event, speaking about the privilege of hosting the Gadol Hador and sharing moving stories of avreichim in Eretz Yisroel who continue learning despite tremendous challenges. Rav Chaim Mordechai Ausband warned that the greatest danger facing the Torah world is not merely financial hardship, but the disruption of Torah learning caused by uncertainty and anxiety.
The highlight of the gathering was the powerful address of Rav Dov Landau, who conveyed the cry of Torah from Eretz Yisroel before a crowd listening in complete silence. Following his remarks, thousands broke into spirited singing of “Zeidim Heylitzuni Ad Me’od, MiTorasecha Lo Natisi,” creating an electrifying display of commitment to Torah that was joined and encouraged by Rav Dov himself.
Rav Yaakov Hillel reiterated that Torah has never depended on governments for its existence, stressing that the current moment presents a historic opportunity for Torah supporters to become direct partners in sustaining the Torah world of Eretz Yisroel.
The gathering concluded with a stirring kabbolas ol malchus Shamayim led by Rav Avraham Salim shlit”a, as thousands responded together with a resounding declaration of “Hashem Hu HaElokim.”
As Shabbos approached, members of the delegation dispersed to communities throughout the region. Rav Dov Landau and Rav Shimon Galai remained in Monsey, where large crowds gathered throughout Shabbos to daven in their presence and hear divrei Torah, extending the inspiration of the historic Keren Olam HaTorah mission well beyond the events of Friday.
finally!!! I was wondering why we had coverage of Donald trumps visit and every chaveirim call but not a word about the geolei hador visiting our community
What took all week??