By Rabbi Eliezer Sandler

A unique siyum took place recently at the Kolel Kabbolah Chatzos (the Midnight Kolel) of Torah-24 in Yerushalayim. Every night, talmidei chachomim geonim and known mekubalim gather there at midnight to first recite Tikkun Chatzos and then, for hours, to delve into the Zohar, Otzros Chaim (by Rabbeinu Chaim Vital) and other Kabbalistic works.

One of Eleven

Kolel Kabbolah Chatzos is one of 11 kollelim under-one-roof at Torah-24. These kollelim offer different learning shifts in all aspects of Torah b’iyun – every day, 24 hours per day. This follows the learning tradition of the Ramchal, Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh and Reb Chaim Volozhener – to ensure that the sound of Torah learning does not cease even for a minute.

Torah-24 is part of the ‘Total Torah Legacy’ of Maran Sar Hatorah, Rabbeinu Hagadol Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, who served as Nasi of Torah-24 and the Shas Yiden network. (Click on https://www.torah-24.com). Each kollel has regular oral farhers and written tests.

The Siyum

The gathering celebrated the diligent completion, by the rabbis of the Torah-24 midnight Kolel Kabbolah Chatzos, of the study of the entire Zohar, its commentaries and the Otzros Chaim. The event also acknowledged the dedication and the dissemination of Torah study at Torah-24, which encompasses both nigleh and nistar.  

The gathering took place in the home of the famed, leading kabbalist, Maran Hatzadik Harav Yaakov Meir Shechter, shlit”a, in Yerushalayim. Rav Schechter praised the founder of Torah-24, the Pozna Rov, for his notable vision and expansion of Torah study, and for his inclusion of true Kabbalah study method, not just for individual learning but in a holy enclave of talmidei chachomim. This would expand its influence across the world, he said, and this Kolel’s growing impact will bring about Redemption as detailed in the Zohar.

He also paid tribute to the memory of the Pozna Rov’s grandfather, Harav Asher Zelig Margolius, a great Yerushalmi kabbalist who Rav Shechter knew personally. He also spoke extensively about Kabbalah study, citing insights from great mekubolim he had known.

The head of the Kolel Kabbolah Chatzos, Hamekubel Avrohom Eisenbach, shlit”a, son in law of Hamekubel Daniel Frish , baal Matok Midvash on the Zohar. He delivered the siyum on the Zohar and gave an insight into the Kabbalah learning. He gave an introduction to the nightly regimen of the Kolel and the recitation of Tikkun Chatzos – mourning the Destruction of the Beis Hamikdash and praying for its Rebuilding. Harav Avraham Rabinowitz, son-in-law of the Toldos Aharon Rebbe, spoke, and was followed by Harav Tzvi Vigder who recited the siyum of the Otzros Chaim. The Kaddish was recited by Hagaon Harav Yosef Samet, chief editor of Oz V’hadar edition of the Talmud, who is also a member of the Kolel Kabbolah Chatzos.  

The gathering concluded with a l’chaim and brocha from Rav Schechter, a nigun in which all joined, and danced for kovod Hatorah.