Our Sages tell us that in the Jewish months of Elul and Adar, Jews would stop working and come together to spend the month immersed in the study of Torah. This idea, known as a Yarchei Kallah, continues in communities throughout the world today, and, thanks to the efforts of the Denver Community Kollel, the city of Denver was treated to a Yarchei Kallah of its own to begin the month of Elul.
Rabbi Binyomin Halpern, Rav of Kehillas Bais Halevy in Lakewood, led the Yarchei Kallah on Sunday and Monday of Labor Day Weekend, the first two days of Elul. Rabbi Halpern’s son, Rabbi Shmuel Halpern, is a member of the Kollel, and this Yarchei Kallah was his initiative.
“This is something whose time has come in Denver,” says Reb Shmuel. “There are so many people here who have developed a true love of Torah, and this was the perfect opportunity to take Torah study here to the next level.”
The learning focused on kiddush and havdalah. The study session began with 2 ½ hours of chavrusah learning, followed by a one-hour interactive lecture delivered by Rabbi Halpern. A sumptuous breakfast and lunch were provided for participants, as well.
More than 25 people participated in the Yarchei Kallah, including Josh Close of Broomfield, Colorado, who has been learning with the Kollel for nearly five years.
“The Yarchei Kallah program was an excellent addition to my Labor Day weekend,” says Josh. “It provided a unique insight into the aspects of Kiddush and Havdalah. The Kollel Rabbis hosted engaging chavrusa sessions which radiated the room with much energy as everyone discussed various sources, and Rabbi [Binyomin] Halpern led a lively discussion on the topics at hand to sum things up. The Kollel put together another inspirational event which was extremely eye opening to Torah knowledge!”
Rabbi Yehoshua Hoffman joined several others in learning with Rabbi Binyomin Halpern.
“I appreciated the wonderful experience of learning with Rabbi Halpern,” says Rabbi Hoffman. “Learning with him, his relationship with Torah was evident. It gives him life, it gives him excitement. His enthusiasm at every step of the sugya (subject material) caused me and the others learning with him to become excited, as well!”
Chuck Michaels, a member of Aish Denver, attended both days of the Yarchei Kallah with his son, Benjamin.
“My son Benjamin and I enjoyed spending two mornings at the Kollel, engaged in chavrusah learning with [Kollel Scholar] Rabbi Zions and listening to Rabbi Halpern from Lakewood, New Jersey. It was a great opportunity for us to spend a holiday learning together on a high level.”
In addition to the Yarchei Kallah learning, Rabbi Halpern also delivered a class to more than a dozen women on Monday night, focusing on the month of Elul.
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