Page 21 - Ma Chadash Pesach 2020

Torah studyThe group met every day, through blistering summer heat and winter rain and snow, for over seven yearsGemara which I had to absorb. Even in the first Mishnah, we had to know about Mishnaic con- cepts of purity and impurity, gifts and temple of- ferings, and so each bit of information had to be absorbed and understood.“When we began one of the final sections, Kodshim, which deals with the Temple service and is quite different, we no longer had to deal with these issues. Through the past seven years we have gained so much basic knowl- edge that the analyses and arguments have become second nature to us, since we have come across them so many times.”The group also gained a better comprehension of Jewish practices. For example, when daven- ing and reciting stanzas dealing with temple sac- rifices, it is now clearer that these have been re- placed by the prayers themselves and they have greater awareness of what they are saying.The Daf Yomi Chevra are certain that they would not have been able to take full part in the programme without the full backing of their respective wives and families. Jeff commented that “the conversations with my son and son- in-law who have both learned in yeshivot in Israel for quite some time, can centre around what I am learning as we share ideas about the Daf. It also helps me to connect on a different level with my daughter and daughter-in-law. I’m now looking forward to the day when I can learn with my grandchildren as well!”Several rabbis take turns delivering the shiur. Rabbi Birnbaum is one of them, and he is ex- cellent at breaking everything down for the group. The group has also been taught by jun- ior members of the shul that have spent time at yeshiva and are now able to share their knowledge. Most recently Rabbi Shmuel Landau, our new rabbi, has given shiurim when visiting Barnet.The 13th seven-and-a-half-year cycle for learning the whole Talmud, also referred to as the Shas, was completed in January. A large celebration, Siyum HaShas, was held at the Wembley Arena, with our members partici- pating. There were others around the world, the main event being in New York attended by both Rabbi Birnbaum and Rabbi Lerer. Barnet Shul’s Daf Yomi Group were also highlighted at the recent United Synagogue Siyum HaShas for its ‘Torah Learning’, as an inspiration for other US synagogues to follow.The Learning cycle continues, and the Barnet Daf Yomi Group has initiated learning the first section Masechet Brachot, with more new members. Please come along if you are inter- ested. It generally meets every evening before davening (6.40pm) and twice on Shabbat. Even if you cannot attend each day you are welcome to join whenever you can. You’ll soon get the taste for it and who knows we may see you at Wembley in 2028!(Please contact Jeff Kirsch or Andrew Brayam for details)The Daf Yomi learning programme has been very rewarding for the members of Barnet Daf Yomi Chevra. Not only has being part of this group created a fantastic bond between them, they have gained greater awareness of so many things which in the past may have been taken for granted. As an example, when a succah is built, the Gemara explains the dimensions and the various limitations and requirements it must have. They have also learnt about different as- pects of setting up an Eruv, that is now very top- ical for the Barnet community. While learning Gemara does not guarantee that you will know the halacha, it helps you understand the un- derlying principles for it, and greatly enhances one’s fulfilment of the mitzvot.Ma Chadash | Pesach 5780 21TONY COHEN