RABBI SHIMON SKOF [sic]
The past few weeks have indeed been eventful ones for the students of the Yeshiva. With the dedication of their new House of Study, an added impetus has been given to them in their desire for knowledge. Especially is this noteworthy when they twice a week “drink in as if with thirst” the words of the Rosh of the Yeshiva of Grodno, who is among them as a most pleasant visitor. Unprecedented eagerness to digest the [insights] of the venerable Gaon has been displayed; and even hours after he has left his lecture pulpit, his thoughts are heard echoed near the walls of the synagogue. Every studious heart is aglow with the light kindled by Rav Shimon and all marvel happily at the simplicity with which the depths of his interpretations and views are sounded to all listeners. His benign and stately countenance draws all to the fountain of the Torah and it is hoped sincerely that he will be among us for a long period of time. May Rav Shimon continue to enlighten us with his torch of knowledge and inspire us with his saintly presence in our midst!
Chanukah D’var Torah by Rav Avigdor Miller The Hebrew part of this issue of Hedenu contains a number of divrei Torah by the students at RIETS. The most well-known author in this issue is Rav Avigdor Miller, zt”l. Rav Miller came to RIETS in 1925. In 1928 he was a member of the first entering class of Yeshiva College. However, in 1932 he left to study in Slabodka, shortly before the college’s first graduation and therefore never actually graduated from Yeshiva College.
Rav Miller’s contribution cannot really be classified as a d’var Torah. It is more a piece of inspirational writing about Chanukah. I can only speculate that he was motivated in part by the fact that he and the other boys in the yeshiva had moved into the dormitory of the new building shortly before Chanukah. It was certainly a far cry from the quarters that he and the others were used to on the Lower East Side. Harry Steinberg, another member of the first entering YC class told me that when he arrived at RIETS in 1927 he shared an apartment across from 302 East Broadway with Rav Miller and eight other boys. “We were two boys to a room. Two of us even slept in the kitchen!” he recalled.