A cornerstone-laying ceremony was held for the youth yeshiva Hekhal Moshe in Beit Shemesh, attended by prominent Torah sages, yeshiva heads, rabbis, and public figures. The event marked the start of the planned new yeshiva building.
The ceremony opened with Rabbi Shaul Gabay, head of Orhot Da'at and Amrei Da'at, who spoke about why the Amidah begins with the blessing asking for understanding. He said that without wisdom and knowledge, a person cannot even properly deal with illness or any other life challenge, and added that Torah education is meant to give students correct thought and understanding, not just preserve them in place.
The Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, spoke about the distinctive method of the late Rabbi Shalom Cohen. He said, “I learned with Hacham Shalom Cohen, he would not give up on a single Maharsha,” adding that on the first and third seder he did not skip Maharsha or Maharam and would then bring additional commentaries. He also quoted Rabbi Frank as saying that a student who does not study Netivot Hamishpat, Ketzot Hachoshen, and Rabbi Chaim of Brisk lacks understanding, because those books sharpen the mind.
Rabbi Yaakov Palvani began his remarks emotionally with the blessing of Shehecheyanu, saying that the occasion had arrived after the publication of his new book, Be'er Yaakov, prepared for the cornerstone event. He noted that a fresh fruit was on the table so the blessing could be said. His book discusses Rashi throughout the Talmud, explaining the depth of Rashi's words. The ceremony concluded with respected rabbis and public officials participating in placing the cornerstone for the future building.
