In a pointed message, Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveitchik, rosh yeshiva of the Brisk Yeshiva in Yerushalayim, addressed a group of new talmidim and urged them to refrain from davening in the shtieblach of Zichron Moshe, warning that doing so often leads to bitul zman (wasted time).
The remarks came as the yeshiva celebrated the inauguration of its new building on Shavuos, as previously reported here. The upper-floor beis medrash in the new structure was fully prepared for use ahead of Yom Tov, outfitted with a aron kodesh, bimah, and a beautifully crafted amud, with seating for approximately 350 talmidim.
On Motzoei Shabbos, Erev Shavuos, Rav Avrohom Yehoshua held a special gathering for the new talmidim of the yeshiva. There, he announced the establishment of a third official minyan for Yom Tov davening, in addition to the two existing minyanim that have been held for the past several years.
The first minyan is led by Rav Avrohom Yehoshua himself. The second is led by his brother, Rav Moshe Soloveitchik. The newly announced third minyan will take place in the new beis medrash, under the leadership of Rav Avrohom Yehoshua’s eldest son, Rav Mordechai Yaakov Soloveitchik.
In his remarks, the rosh yeshiva emphasized that all new talmidim should participate in the davening held in the new building, and spoke sharply against the practice of those heading to nearby Zichron Moshe to daven. “Davening at Zichron Moshe,” he said, “often leads to bitul,” especially during late-night hours, when some boys go there in place of regular yeshiva sedorim.
He concluded by instituting a new policy: beginning immediately, all tefillos will take place in the two new batei medrash, including a daily second Shacharis minyan and a Maariv after night seder.
Being an American, it’s hard to understand this issue. On one hand, why should the choice of a Shul matter. As long as there is compliance with the sedorim of the yeshiva. On the other hand, the talmidim should remain in the yeshiva at all times. That covers bein hasedorim. And tefilos should be with the rest of the yeshiva. If talmidim hear a message that is truthful and reasonable, they’re likely to comply. If they hear a self-serving message that projects ego and image, they’re prone to reject. My yeshiva days, long ago, involved little to no tefilos outside of the yeshiva.
Can we stop with division among ourselves already ? Every day something new. Please stop.
I understand your message in general it is quite frustrating. But here the the Rosh Yeshiva is just encouraging to daven at Yeshiva because it leads to leaving during sedarim. Just regular instruction. Nothing wrong with the Shteiblach just not for members of a yeshiva thats careful on keeping to the schedule.