An Extraordinary Siyum
Impressions from Rav Dovid Geller’s
Siyum on Talmud Yerushalmi
T
he bachurim of Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s Beis
Medrash Heichal Dovid could glean many les-
sons from the siyum on Talmud Yerushalmi held
at the yeshiva. This rare feat was accomplished
by Rav Dovid Moshe Geller, the mashgiach ruchani of
the Beis Medrash and an alumnus of Darchei.
The primary lesson is undoubtedly the most obvi-
ous one: the power of diligent hasmada and review to
both shape a man into a talmid chacham — which Rav
Geller certainly is — and enable him to learn and mas-
ter great portions of the infinite Torah. Having com-
pleted Shas Bavli many times, Rav Geller is no stranger
to siyumim.
Another aspect of the same lesson, which was
brought out by the siyum’s guest speaker, Rav Uri
Deutsch, the rav of the Forest Park shul in Lakewood,
is the imperative for every bachur to utilize his time in
yeshiva to the fullest. Although the primary purpose
of Darchei’s Beis Medrash is to train the bachurim to
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develop in iyun — in-depth immersion in each sugya
and its mefarshim, to gain clarity in the material and
hone their lomdus skills — they are also encouraged to
broaden their horizons by covering parts of the masech-
ta that are not the focus of the main sedarim. (The re-
sult of these efforts is visible each year at the Yeshiva’s
grand Siyum Hagadol, when close to 200 Mesivta and
Beis Medrash bachurim finish masechtos.)
A lesson in kavod HaTorah was surely absorbed
as the bachurim scanned the dining hall at the siyum.
Present were not only Rav Geller’s extended family;
the Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Yaakov Bender; the Rosh
Yeshiva, Rav Shlomo Avigdor Altusky; menahalim and
rabbeim of the Yeshiva; kollel yungerleit; and alumni;
but distinguished guest roshei yeshiva as well, with
whom he enjoys a personal connection: Rav Moshe
Brown and his son Rav Azriel, Rav Elya Brudny, and
Rav Naftoli Jaeger. The attendance of such illustrious
guests served as testimony to the immense value and