Baltimore, MD - May 18, 2018 - Sunday, May 13, marked a milestone event as Yeshiva Gedolah Ohr Hatorah celebrated its first ever Hachnosas Sefer Torah. The new Torah was dedicated by the extended Rosenbaum, Selevan, Schreier, and Lamm familes in memory of Mr. Lester Freedman and Mr. & Mrs. Bernard and Maxine Selevan, z'l.

The excitement began early in the morning as the Talmidim and Hanhala of the Yeshiva each took their turn writing an os. Following them, the extended members of the Selevan and Rosenbaum families, many of them who traveled from afar for this monumental event, joined in the kesivas osiyos. Finally, numerous community Rabbanim, Rabbeim from Yeshivas Ner Yisrael and friends of the Yeshiva were honored with the writing of an os.

As the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Moshe Aharon Rosenbaum, completed the final letter, spontaneous singing broke out. The simcha was palpable as hagbah was performed for the first time on the newly kosher Sefer Torah. The Torah was immediately handed to the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Dovid Hoffman, and he brought the Torah outside to the waiting crowd.

Four talmidim of the Yeshiva were waiting, holding the chupa for the Torah to be held underneath it. Preceding them was the Hachnosas Sefer Torah trailer, bedecked with specially designed Hachnosas Sefer Torah banners and bunting, the musicians ready to play. Marching before them were a few dozen Tinokes Shel Bais Rabban, carrying torches symbolizing the Aish Hatorah.

Lebedike dancing ensued, as the talmidei Hayeshiva and guests danced in front of the chupa for the great Kavod Hatorah. Crossing Park Heights Avenue towards Bancroft Road, the crowd surged through the parking lot of Khal Arugas Habosem towards the future home of Yeshiva Ohr Hatorah.

For many, this was the first glimpse into the future home of Ohr Hatorah. Using the newly created connection between Arugas Habosem and Ohr Hatorah, the dancing brought the procession to the steps of the Yeshiva building, where the Yeshiva's other Sifrei Torah joined. Together they made their way into the unfinished space that will be the Bais Medrash, iy”H. Although the walls are still bare to the studs, everyone could feel the potential that this Bais Medrash will bring. Energetic dancing continued without abatement in the Bais Medrash to be, and it was a great kavod that The Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisrael, Harav Aharon Feldman shlita joined the simcha at this point.

As the dancing began to wind down, Harav Sheftel Neuberger, Menahel of Yeshivas Ner Yisrael, led thte recitation of Atah Hareisah, the Hakafos and finally in a rousing and heartfelt call of Kabbalas Ol Malchus Shamayim. Thereafter, Rabbi Dovid Hoffman spoke and noted how befitting it was to have this simcha in the unfinished Bais Medrash, thus allowing the simchas hatorah, the kavod hatorah and the Kabbalas Ol Malchus Shamayim to seep into the very walls. Finally, the Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisrael, addressed the crowd and delived Divrei Bracha for this future makom Torah.

The Seudas Mitzvah was held at Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion. The attendees were addressed by Harav Sheftel Neuberger, Rabbi Moshe Aharon Rosenbaum and Rabbi Aaron Selevan. A memorial tribute slideshow presentation was shown reflecting on the Torah atmosphere, environment of chessed and kind nature that was espoused by the three individuals for whom the Torah was dedicated.

Many people took part in making this great simcha a reality. The Yeshiva wishes to thank the generous donors, as well as Rabbi Hersal Gholian, Harav Shaya Taub, Tony Goldenberg, Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion, Yaakov Simanowitz, Baruch Bitman, Eli Greengart, Avraham Dovid Sauer, Yitzy Schleifer, Officer Bill and the Baltimore City Police Force, Frank Storch, Feivel Shneur Belsky, Yehuda Tenenbaum, Shloime Tendler, Nechemyah Rich and Aharon Kranz for all their assistance in the various components of this event.