Rabbi Zilberstein Addresses Thousands at Sukkot Celebration, Emphasizes Contentment

Thousands of Torah scholars gathered on Tuesday, the intermediate days of Sukkot, for a "Simchat Beit Hashoeva" (rejoicing of the water-drawing ceremony) and "Kabalat Panim" (receiving the face of the leader) event in the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood of Bnei Brak. The gathering was led by Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein, the chief rabbi of the neighborhood, and included other local rabbis: Rabbi Yehuda Silman, Rabbi Masoud Ben Shimon, and Rabbi Menachem Tzvi Berlin, head of the Rebbeinu Chaim Ozer Yeshiva.

Rabbi Zilberstein delivered the main address, citing the teachings of the late the Rabbi. He explained that true scholars bring peace to the world because they are content. "A true scholar is a person who is full and satisfied," Rabbi Zilberstein stated, quoting the Rabbi. "He has satisfaction. How does he have satisfaction? He sees, he understands the Gemara well, understands the Baraita well, understands the Maharsha well." This contentment, he explained, prevents them from being bothered by insults or slights, comparing it to a millionaire who is unperturbed by a fool's offense.

Rabbi Zilberstein further elaborated on the Rabbi's criterion for a scholar: whether they get offended when slighted. If they do, they are not true scholars and need to seek other paths. A scholar, he emphasized, is full of joy and satisfaction from their studies, making them un-irritable.

Concluding his remarks, Rabbi Zilberstein praised the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood for its exceptional Torah study environment. He also described a unique local custom, possibly influenced by Rabbi Avraham Pollack, where outsiders and those from different communities are given priority for receiving an "aliyah" (being called up to the Torah) before local residents. He concluded with blessings for the community, for the rebuilding of the Temple, and for all young men and women to find their matches.