Siyum HaShas- what struck you?

amother

OP ↓

Thu, Jan 02 2020, 10:57 am

Whether you went, watched online, heard about, what struck you about it that you (hope to) carry with you?

For me, two things. First, the unity of so many different types of people, all learning the same thing at the same time, and all answering the same kaddish and kedushah, said in different nusachs, together. And second, the power of consistency, combined with Rav Frand's reminder not to be afraid to start just because you may not finish. Because what you do, at whatever level, is valid, and so is the impact of putting something valuable into your regular schedule.

Elementary age dd was struck by the fact that the rav leading the tehillim was crying, and that so many people sat in the cold.

gingertop

Thu, Jan 02 2020, 11:01 am

I watched the livestream. What affected me most was Chazzan Helfgott's Kel Molei Rachamim with the camera on the Rabbanim sitting there and crying and Rabbi Gifter talking about Telshe and breaking down. I have no words. I was sobbing.

mandr

Thu, Jan 02 2020, 11:05 am

How it was so utterly quiet when we davened Mincha. I was there, so this was extra powerful to me. Not sure how that sounded for online viewers.

clowny

Thu, Jan 02 2020, 11:07 am

I didn’t see much of the Siyum. I only got to see some clips. But what struck me the most and I even cried while watching those clips- is the sight of seeing thousands of yidden together.

amother

↑ OP

Thu, Jan 02 2020, 11:23 am

mandr wrote:

How it was so utterly quiet when we davened Mincha. I was there, so this was extra powerful to me. Not sure how that sounded for online viewers.

I watched online. Maybe not the same, but I noticed the quiet. I could not imagine how that many people were so quiet.

amother

Dodgerblue ↓

Thu, Jan 02 2020, 11:39 am

I live pretty far so I watched the live stream. It was so powerful and moving, I cried multiple times throughout. I was struck by the way Torah unites all frum Jews. I was struck by our gedolim, who radiated Torah and were such a pleasure to watch. I was struck by the people who overcame significant adversity to be there. I was struck by the kavod hatorah that over a hundred thousand people had- and those are just the ones who showed up in person. It was the biggest Kiddush Hashem that I've witnessed so far in my life.

mha3484 ↓

Thu, Jan 02 2020, 11:43 am

I really loved Rabbi Frands speech.

The achdus was so moving.

The man who finished shas with ALS blew me away.

amother

Salmon

Thu, Jan 02 2020, 11:44 am

When Reb Leibish Lish called out the boy going through cancer treatments I was bawling. Crying

yidishmamma ↓

Thu, Jan 02 2020, 11:47 am

I watched online And I agree with all the points mentioned. What I love is when they say Mazel tov and everyone singing and dancing together!! It was beautiful kiddish Hashem! Hashem can be proud of his children !

amother

Violet

Thu, Jan 02 2020, 12:03 pm

I was there with my family. I was inspired by everything, but several things were highlights for me:

1. saying yehei shmei raba with 90,000+ people
2. Saying Hashem Hu haElokim with 90,000+ people
3. Seeing the emotion in the face and voice of R’ Shmuel Kamenetzky
4. Watching the Holocaust survivors who were there witnessing this tremendous nekama against the murderers yemach shemam

polka dots

Thu, Jan 02 2020, 12:05 pm

amother [ Salmon ] wrote:

When Reb Leibish Lish called out the boy going through cancer treatments I was bawling. Crying

Same I was crying my eyes out and davening for him

yehupitz

Thu, Jan 02 2020, 12:21 pm

amother [ Dodgerblue ] wrote:

I I was struck by the way Torah unites all frum Jews.

Torah unites all Jews. Frum or not,it's a yerusha for us all
(I know you didn't mean anything wrong with this, it just bothers me. Real achdus is with all yidden,frum or not. We have the same Father in Heaven)

amother

↑ Dodgerblue

Thu, Jan 02 2020, 12:30 pm

yehupitz wrote:

Of course it does, what I meant is that Torah unites frum Jews from all walks of life for THIS event. Unfortunately most non frum Jews don't know about this yerusha, and they weren't represented at the siyum.

groovy1224 ↓

Thu, Jan 02 2020, 12:31 pm

Definitely the man with ALS. I tend to be one of those 'woe is me' people and can get bitter about difficult situations, but here is this man (and his wife) who have EVERY reason to be angry and bitter, but instead he is using whatever energy and ability he has to complete shas. I was extremely humbled.

Odelyah

Thu, Jan 02 2020, 12:34 pm

amother [ Dodgerblue ] wrote:

I think there were some.. wish there were more though, definitely

Ridethewaves

Thu, Jan 02 2020, 12:41 pm

As a few of the rabbonim mentioned, I was moved that amidst all the suffering and antisemitism we stand together and celebrate our Torah. The torah that makes us different and binds us together to keep going as a nation.

crystal ↓

Thu, Jan 02 2020, 12:47 pm

groovy1224 wrote:

Anybody know where I can watch this part, the man with ALS? I watched parts from home when I was able but I missed this...