Baltimore, MD - July 13 2016 - This week, the kehilla of Baltimore and the surrounding area had the privilege of hosting the Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim, Hagaon Harav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, Shlita, together with Hagaon Harav Nachman Levovitz, Shlita, and Harav Hagaon Nissan Kaplan, Shlita.

Harav Nissan Kaplan arrived on Erev Shabbos Parashas Korach, joining the community for an inspiring Shabbos of Chizuk. He davened Mincha and Kabbolas Shabbos at Agudath Israel of Park Heights, which is led by Harav Moshe Heinemann. On Shabbos morning, he davened and spoke first at the hashkama Minyan at Khal Ahavas Yisroel Tzemach Tzedek, whose Rav is Rabbi Dovid Heber. He then spoke at Kehillas Derech Chaim, under the leadership of Rabbi Pinchas Gross. After that, he davened Mussaf and spoke at Bais Haknesses Ohr Hachaim, led by Rabbi Tzvi Weiss.

Throughout Shabbos, Rav Kaplan pointed out how before the final confrontation with Korach in this week’s parsha, Moshe Rabbeinu pleaded to Hashem with the words, "Al teifen el minchasam – do not accept their korban". Why was Moshe concerned that Hashem would listen to Korach and his men? After all, they were wrongfully seeking to cause a rebellion that would destroy Klal Yisroel! We learn from here, said Rav Kaplan, about the amazing power of Tefilla. Even from someone like Korach, who was waging a war against Moshe and the Torah, Tefilla can sometimes be accepted.

On Shabbos afternoon, Harav Kaplan delivered a halacha shiur at Congregation Kol Torah, led by Rabbi Yosef Berger, on the mitzvah of tzitzis. He then joined Rabbi Yissocher Eichenstein’s kehilla at Mercaz Torah Utefillah for a warm and spirited Shalosh Seudos, where he spoke about the dedication one should have for learning daily.  On Motzei Shabbos, a beautiful, well-attended Alumni Melave Malka was hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Dovid Meir Loeb, where he gave a very strong shmuez to all Talmidei Hayeshiva about the power of one’s own tefillos more than running around for brachos and tzadikim.

The beautiful Benefit Reception was hosted by Gil and Molly Horwitz, longtime friends of Yeshivas Mir, on Monday evening. An impressive crowd of people attended; Rav Moshe Heinemann and Rav Yaakov Hopfer came to the event to show kovod haTorah. The Rosh Hayeshiva, Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel warmly greeted the guests and delivered a passionate drasha. Rav Nachman Levovitz, who has visited Baltimore every year during those 25-plus years it has hosted the Mir, spoke about the powerful siyata dishmaya that results when people are driven by a true sense of achrayus.

On Tuesday, Rav Finkel visited and spoke at Yeshivas Ner Yisroel. He spoke about the special 12-hour seder that was initiated by his father, zt”l, 5 years ago and continues in Ner Yisroel until this very day. He then went to the Mesivta of Baltimore and spoke about the importance of using one’s time wisely. He then proceeded to greet a crowd of 700 elementary talmidim at Yeshivas Kochav Yitzchok, who were all dressed in white shirts and joined in spirited singing in a beautiful display of k’vod haTorah. The boys listened as the Rosh Yeshiva elaborated on how every boy can bring out his true potential by becoming a gadol baTorah and a respected chelek of Klal Yisroel.

The entire Baltimore community received tremendous chizuk and warmth from this much-anticipated visit.

Mir Alumni Melava Malka
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Mir Open House