The journey of haschalas gemarah is daunting for any boy in yeshiva: a new language, unfamiliar grammar, foreign concepts and a set of logic that is quite challenging. It’s like being in 1st grade all over again!
Of course, those of us who have successfully navigated this journey know how worthwhile it is, and appreciate how our lives have been eternally transformed through the learning of Gemorah. But have we forgotten the experience of the journey itself? Perhaps it was that first good grade that gave us confidence. Or maybe just an encouraging word that carried us through.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rav Shlomo Teitelbaum zt”l, rov of Khal Adas Yereim of Kew Gardens, NY. He was 77.
Rav Shlomo was raised in the home of his parents, Rav and Rebbetzin Yaakov Teitelbaum zt”l.

Two years ago, Rav Menachem Perl, rov of Israel’s Fire and Rescue Commission, ruled that although beards interfere with the proper sealing of air masks, firemen with beards need not shave until the level of danger involved was determined.
This year, Rav Perl announced an interim protocol allowing firemen to shave the area adjacent to the neck during Sefirah, since, halachically speaking, it is not part of the beard.
{Matzav.com Israel}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rav Yaakov Pollack zt”l, longtime of the Shomrei Emunah shul of Boro Park. He was 93.
Rav Pollack led Shomrei Emunah from the early 1970s until his retirement in 2008.
He is survived by his wife, Rebbetzin Rhoda Pollack, and their children, R’ Avrohom Pollack, R’ Daniel Pollack, R’ Shmuel Pollack, R’ Yisroel Meir Pollack, Mrs. Chana Baran and Mrs. Devorah Hertz.
The levayah was held Sunday afternoon at the shul at 52nd Street and 14th Avenue in Boro Park.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com Newscenter}

Rav Meshulam Dovid Soloveitchik, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Brisk in Yerushalayim, was rushed to the hospital Thursday night after feeling unwell. All are asked to daven for his recovery.
The 98-year-old Brisker rosh yeshiva is a son of the Brisker Rov, Rav Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik. His rebbetzin is a daughter of Rav Asher Shternbuch of London.
Rav Dovid is the fifth of twelve children, and the third son, of the Brisker Rov. His mother, Rebbetzin Hendel, was a daughter of Rav Chaim Auerbach.
The exact date of Rav Dovid’s birth, interestingly, is actually unknown. His older brother, R’ Chaim, was born in January 1920. His younger brother, R’ Refoel Yehoshua, was born in the spring of 1924.