A moving story has emerged from a Daf Yomi shiur in Tiveriah, where members recently recalled a remarkable chain of events surrounding their siyum on Maseches Bava Basra.
Several months ago, the local Daf Yomi chaburah in the Nof Kinneret neighborhood was preparing to celebrate the completion of Bava Basra, the longest masechta in Shas. As is their custom, they planned a seudah, with a guest speaker to inspire and uplift. But this time, they decided to do something even more elaborate to mark the special milestone.
The group arranged for a grand siyum at the Tzipori Hotel on the Kinneret, complete with an elegant seudah. To make the occasion meaningful for families as well, they even sent gourmet dinners from the hotel to the homes of the participants’ wives, so they could also feel part of the simchah. The cost, however, ran into several thousand shekels, and the question of how to cover the expenses loomed.
At that point, one of the most dedicated members of the shiur, Reb Betzalel, stepped forward. He explained that he and his wife had only one daughter, who was already grown, and that he longed for more children. With great faith, he offered to sponsor the siyum almost entirely in the zechus that Hashem should bless him with another child.
Last week, on Thursday, the 18th of Elul, Reb Betzalel and his family were overjoyed to welcome a healthy baby girl. Astonishingly, the siyum on Bava Basra had taken place on the night of the 18th of Kislev — exactly nine months earlier. Members of the shiur could not help but see in this a clear sign of siyata diShmaya, the power of Torah, and the merit of those who support its learning.
