Ahead of the Yomim Noraim, and on the yahrtzeit of the Ponevezher Rov, Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman, Rav Don Segal delivered an uplifting shmuess in the heichal of Yeshivas Ponevezh, focusing on kavod Shomayim, hakaras hatov, strengthening others, and the proper preparation for the Yemei Hadin. Before Rav Segal spoke, remarks were delivered by the Ponevezher Rov’s grandson, Rav Eliezer Kahaneman, nasi of the yeshiva.
Rav Segal began by emphasizing the tremendous obligation of hakaras hatov owed to the Ponevezher Rov, who devoted himself completely to rebuilding the world of Torah after the devastation of the Holocaust. He described how the Ponevezher Rov sacrificed enormously, including lofty personal spiritual aspirations, in order to establish Torah in Eretz Yisroel and ensure that it would not be forgotten following the terrible destruction.
Turning to the approaching Yemei Hadin V’Rachamim, Rav Segal discussed the mindset with which a Yid should approach the tefillos of the Yomim Noraim. He noted that in the nusach hatefillah established by Chazal, personal requests are largely put aside as Klal Yisroel instead focuses on kavod Shomayim, Kiddush Hashem and the coming of Moshiach.
Rav Segal explained that adopting such an approach, particularly during times of danger, represents a form of mesirus nefesh al Kiddush Hashem. When a person sets aside his own needs and directs his tefillos toward the honor of Hashem and the needs of Klal Yisroel, he said, that itself can serve as a powerful zechus through which one merits siyata diShmaya and open miracles.
A significant portion of the shmuess was devoted to bein adam lachaveiro within the walls of the yeshiva. Rav Segal stressed that an essential part of Torah life is making another Yid happy and giving him encouragement.
When a fellow bochur offers a good sevara or asks a strong kashya during learning, Rav Segal said, it is not enough merely to nod in acknowledgment. A person should verbalize his appreciation, compliment his friend and give him the satisfaction of knowing that his contribution was valued.
Every positive word exchanged between bnei hayeshiva, Rav Segal explained, represents an enormous spiritual treasure. A few sincere words that lift another person’s spirits can carry extraordinary weight and constitute a zechus through which a person can merit a place among the bnei Olam Haba.
Toward the conclusion of his remarks, Rav Segal addressed the current challenges and gezeiros confronting the Olam HaTorah. He invoked Hashem’s promise that the Torah will never depart from our mouths or from the mouths of our descendants.
Rav Segal urged the bnei hayeshiva not to allow the distractions and obstacles of the yetzer hara to interfere with their learning. Instead, he called upon them to immerse themselves in Torah with tremendous simcha, while continually strengthening, encouraging and bringing joy to one another.
Through that commitment to Torah, kavod Shomayim and strengthening fellow Yidden, Rav Segal concluded, Klal Yisroel should merit a kesivah vachasimah tovah and a blessed new year.
