Yesterday in ירושלים, thousands gathered for the annual “כ� סי�” �”�’�”ול�”” of Lev L’Achim-a moment that has become a cornerstone in the עולם �”תור�” ו�”קירו�’ for over thirty years.
This was not merely a convention. It was a his’orerus-a coming together of hearts and minds, of those who carry the burden and the zechus of being עוסקים �’�”ש�’ת �’� ים לא�’י�”ם ש�’שמים.
The gathering was graced by the presence of the Gedolei Yisrael שליט״א, whose very presence infused the room with a sense of purpose and א�–ריות. The theme this year, “ו�”שי�’,” was not just a slogan-it was a reality being lived, especially in light of the current מל�–מ�”, which has stirred �’תוך כלל ישראל a deep awakening, a renewed thirst for meaning, for אמת, for תור�”.
Maran HaRav Dov Landau שליט״א delivered the central address, speaking with clarity and depth about the מצ�’ �”�”ור. He described how “�”עם ש�’ש�”ות צמא ל�”�’ר �”׳”-the simple Yid, even one far removed, carries within him a yearning for �”�’ר �”׳. He emphasized that even those who appear distant often possess a quiet respect-even admiration-for תור�” and for those who dedicate their lives to it.
And despite the רו�– �”�-מן, despite the pressures and voices that seek to weaken the standing of תור�”, HaRav Landau was unequivocal: “לא ת�”י�”.” The Torah will endure. More than that-it will prevail. And the כלי that brings hearts back is not argument, not confrontation, but the מאור ש�’תור�” itself. When an א�’רך sits and learns with another Yid, with patience and with a פ� ים מאירות, something פ� ימי is awakened. A � שמ�” begins to remember.
A letter from HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch שליט״א, read aloud at the gathering, reinforced this reality. He wrote of the remarkable סייעתא �”שמיא being witnessed-that �’תי מ�”רש are filling to capacity, that more and more are knocking on the doors, seeking entry, seeking connection. Until new �’תי מ�”רש and מ�”רשות had to be opened across the country to accommodate the surge.
He described how the rising קול �”תור�” of those returning is beginning to drown out the opposing voices, those that seek, ר�–״ל, to diminish Torah. And he concluded with a heartfelt �’רכ�”: that those engaged in this מלאכת �”קו�”ש should continue to grow and expand, ל�”�’�”יל תור�” ול�”א�”יר�”.
HaRav Avraham Salim שליט״א spoke about the unique כו�– of Lev L’Achim, acting under the guidance of Gedolei Yisrael, in returning a צי�’ור that is genuinely thirsty for �”�’ר �”׳.
HaRav Dovid Cohen שליט״א gave expression to a painful truth, declaring that for decades there has been a מל�–מת �”ת in ארץ ישראל-and that without Lev L’Achim, מאות אלפים �’ערי �”ש�”�” could have been lost. His words were not said as rhetoric, but as a sober recognition of what is at stake-and what is being saved.
HaRav Dan Segal שליט״א emphasized the tremendous �–שי�’ות of �-יכוי �”ר�’ים, noting that such efforts awaken ר�–מי שמים in a profound way.
Additional �”�’רי �–י�-וק were delivered by HaRav Moshe Yehuda Schlesinger שליט״א, HaRav Tzvi Drabkin שליט״א, HaRav Aryeh Levy שליט״א, HaRav Shraga Shteinman שליט״א, HaRav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel שליט״א, along with the leadership of Lev L’Achim, who expressed deep appreciation to the א�’רכים and פעילים who dedicate themselves, often quietly and without recognition, to this mission.
The gathering opened with תפיל�” and פרקי ת�”ילים, led by HaRav Binyomin Finkel שליט״א, setting the tone of dependence on �”ק�’״�” in all that is being done. HaRav Chaim Feinstein שליט״א followed with words that framed the moment with perspective and responsibility.
A significant portion of the program was dedicated to a שו״ת session with HaRav Yitzchok Zilberstein שליט״א, addressing real and pressing שאלות that arise in the field-particularly in the current מצ�’-giving clarity and direction to those engaged in kiruv.
One of the most impactful moments of the entire gathering was when dozens of young men-graduates of the מ�”רשיות for מת�–�-קים-came up to the stage. These were individuals who, not long ago, stood far from a life of תור�”. And now, they stood as �’� י תור�”, learning, growing, living differently. Not as a “story,” but as a מציאות.
It was not presented with drama or theatrics. It did not need to be. The sight itself spoke.
You could see, in a quiet way, what happens when one א�’רך does not give up. When he continues to show up, to learn, to care-without pressure, without arguments-just with consistency and אמת. The immense power of the revolution that is happening nightly in Batei Medrash across the country.
That is the story.
Not a single dramatic moment-but a process. A relationship. A spark that is patiently nurtured until it becomes something lasting.
The מ� �”לי �”אר�’ון, HaRav Eliezer Sorotzkin and HaRav Avraham Zeibald שליט״א, concluded by thanking the many א�’רכים and פעילים who have answered the call of Gedolei Yisrael-those who give of their time, their energy, and themselves, to bring another Yid closer.
In a generation searching for direction, this gathering made one thing clear: the רצון to return is there. The � שמות are ready.
And with the steady, devoted efforts of those who refuse to give up on even one Yid-those � שמות are finding their way home.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
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One Response
There is nothing in the world like Kiruv to give compounding infinite Schar for mitzvos! The person you bring back everything he learns and performs goes to your account, even when you’re asleep. Imagine how fast that number Rises the more people you bring back. Those unable to do it themselves can support financially. Hashem knows where that money went and is the most trusted accountant