As is well known, Rav Chaim Kanievsky makes a siyum on kol haTorah kulah every year, completing Talmud Bavli, Talmud Yerushalmi, Tosefta, Sifri, Mishnayos, Shulchan Aruch, Rambam, and other segments of Torah.
The most recent siyum made by the venerable gaon took place this morning, Erev Pesach. The siyum is usually held following the vasikin minyan at the Lederman Shul on Rechov Rashbam in Bnei Brak. This year, due to the coronavirus situation, the siyum was made privately.
Interestingly, several years ago, Matzav.com reported that a yungerman visited Rav Chaim’s father-in-law, the posek hador, Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l, and asked him if one may recite the bracha of “Shecholak meichachmaso liyerei’av“ on Rav Chaim.
The bracha of “Shecholak meichachmaso liyerei’av” is customarily recited upon seeing a person who has been blessed with knowledge of the entire Torah. As is well known, Rav Chaim Kanievsky is a boki in kol haTorah kulah.
Without hesitation, the posek hador responded that there is no question that one may make thebracha on Rav Chaim.
The yungerman then asked whether the bracha should be recited b’sheim umalchus.
Rav Elyashiv replied, “When I said that you can make the bracha, I absolutely meant a regular bracha with Hashem’s name.”
Each day, Rav Chaim learns Shas Bavli, Shas Yerushalami, Nach, Rambam, Shulchan Aruch, Mishnah Berurah and more. Over the course of the year, he also completes Medrash Rabbah, Medrash Tanchumah, Sifra, Sifri and Tosefta. He also spends time writing his chiddushim and seforim.
