Over Pesach, Mercaz Torah U’Tefilah become known as the “Mercaz Yeshivas Bein HaZmanim” for the Baltimore community, as hundreds and hundreds of Bachurim and Yungerleit back for Bein HaZmanim took advantage of the robust Bein HaZmanim programming. This includes a daily catered breakfast, refreshments and freshly brewed coffee throughout the day, hot fleishigs for night Seder, and of course the many Shiurim given by Rabbeim (from all of the local Yeshivos) before, during, and after Yom Tov.
New for this Bein HaZmanim, and truly historic for the Baltimore community, is the new Minyanim schedule which included Shacharis every 15 minutes throughout the morning. The new Minyanim take place in the house 2 doors down from the main Shul building. This contributes to the lively atmosphere, as there is a constant flow of people in and out and between the Mercaz Torah U’Tefilah properties. In fact these minyanim became so popular that Mercaz will continue this minyan schedule beyond Bein Hazmanim (see the BJH minyan schedule for more info)!
The highlight of the Pesach Bein HaZmanim every year is the pre-Pesach community Shiur given by one of the Gedolei Roshei Yeshivos who come in specially to be mechazeik all of those who dedicated their Bein Hazmanim to Limud HaTorah! This standing-room only Shiur is a true Ma’amad of Kavod HaTorah, and sets the tone for the Shteiging that goes on throughout Pesach.
This year we were Zocheh to hear a Shiur from Moreinu HaGaon Harav Malkiel Kotler Shlit”a, Rosh Yeshivas Beis Medrash Govoha. The Rosh Yeshiva spoke on the Sugya of
“כל שלא אמר שלשה דברים אלו בפסח לא יצא ידי חובתו” and ended with Divrei Chizuk focusing on the Passuk “אנכי ה’ אלקיך המעלך מארץ מצרים הרחב פיך ואמלאהו”. Everyone came out inspired, motivated to strive for greatness in Torah!
The learning was a real Chizzuk to the entire community and is something that Baltimore is so proud of. Wishing all the Bnei Torah much Hatzlacha in their upcoming zman.
