Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe’s fifth-grade talmidim gathered with their families, Rabbeim, and menahelim on Sunday morning, October 18, for the yeshivah’s Gemara Mesibah. The celebration followed weeks of learning about Gemara and Torah Shebaal Peh and marked the boys’ formal entrance into the Yam HaTalmud.
The program opened with songs the talmidim had practiced with Rabbi Avrohom Borenstein, YTM’s choir leader, since the middle of fourth grade. Rabbi Don Pacht welcomed the families and recognized the Rabbeim, moros, parents, and grandparents who had guided the boys to this milestone, with special thanks to fifth-grade Rabbeim Rabbi Liskar and Rabbi Levine.
Drawing on Rav Chaim of Volozhin’s teaching in Ruach Chaim, Rabbi Pacht explained that the kochos of Klal Yisrael are a yerushah from earlier generations. Each generation receives that mesorah, strengthens it, and passes it forward. As the boys began Torah Shebaal Peh, they became the newest link in a chain reaching back to Har Sinai.
Rabbi Aryeh Rockove, Rav of Khal Nachlas Avos and a parent of YTM alumni, described learning Gemara as a gift that brings strength, joy, and menuchas hanefesh throughout life. He recalled soldiers opening a Gemara during quiet moments inside a tank, showing Torah’s power to create calm amid danger.
Rabbi Rockove then shared the story of Rav Yisrael Zev Gustman. At the end of World War II, the Gustman family had gone two days without food when Rav Gustman found a shul in Vilna that had miraculously remained standing. Despite their hunger, Rebbetzin Gustman urged him to sit and learn from a sefer, illustrating Torah’s sustaining power.
Rabbi Rockove reminded the talmidim that such an attachment requires effort, while their devoted Rabbeim and families would provide tools and encouragement. Rabbi Pacht then called each talmid forward to receive his first Gemara alongside his Rebbi and Rabbi Rockove. Since the boys had already begun learning from their Gemaras, the presentation celebrated a journey already underway.
The morning concluded with singing, dancing, and a kumzitz led by Michel Krohn, followed by refreshments. The talmidim’s achdus and excitement reflected the simchah of the occasion as each boy took his place in the chain of Torah learning.
