Mesivta Kesser Torah recently hosted two profoundly impactful events that highlighted the importance of Mesorah for its bochurim, reinforcing the deep-rooted Mesorah of Limmud Ha’Torah that has been passed down through the doros. These gatherings brought fathers, grandfathers, and sons together through Limmud Ha’Torah, underscoring the vital role of intergenerational connections.
The first event, שאל אביך ויגדך (“Ask your father, and he will tell you”), was a father-son learning program where fathers joined their sons in the beis medrash for a night of shared Torah study. The atmosphere in the room was charged with energy and warmth as fathers learned with their sons. The seder was followed by an oneg and kumzitz. The evening was memorable and uplifting for both the bochurim and their fathers.
The event also allowed fathers to connect with the rebbeim and hanhala of the yeshiva, fostering a strong partnership between families and the yeshiva. It was a powerful reminder of the essential role that family plays in shaping a bochur’s life, even when he is primarily living within the walls of the yeshiva.
A few days later, the yeshiva hosted זקניך ויאמרו לך (“Your elders will tell you”), an event that brought bochurim together with their grandfathers for Shachris, followed by a catered breakfast and chavrusa learning. This heartwarming gathering exemplified the profound connection between doros.
During the opening shiur, the Rosh Hayeshiva, Rav Tzvi Mordechai Feldheim, discussed the words of Chazal from Rav Yehoshua ben Levi who said:
“כל המלמד את בן בנו תורה מעלה עליו הכתוב כאילו קבלה מהר סיני – Anyone who teaches his grandson Torah, it is as if he had personally received it from Mount Sinai” (Kiddushin 30a). Bochurim indeed felt this way, as they engaged in the milchemta shel Torah with their grandfathers.
At both events, everyone was provided with a packet of mareh mekomos on the topic of מצות תפלה בכל יום. Bochurim were able to both learn these mareh mekomos and hear from shiurim on the inyan of tefilah from the Rosh Hayeshiva and the 11th-grade rebbe, Rav Yitzchak Hopfer.
These events at Mesivta Kesser Torah reinforced a key message: Torah is not just an intellectual pursuit but a living, breathing Mesorah. By fostering opportunities for fathers, grandfathers to connect through the beauty of torah, the yeshiva is ensuring that Limmud Ha’Torah remains a vibrant and unbroken chain, connecting families, communities, and doros.
