The Mirrer Haggadah

Unique Insights from Legendary Mirrer Roshei Yeshiva!

When the inferno of World War II engulfed Europe, destroying a thousand years of Jewish life, Jewish communities and millions of Jewish lives, the Torah world of Europe that had flourished for centuries came to an end. The Mir was the only yeshiva that survived intact as it fled first to Vilna, then Japan, and then rode out the remainder of the war in Shanghai, China. Under the leadership of Rav Chatzkel Levenstein, zt"l, the Mashgiach, and Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz, zt"l, the Rosh Yeshiva, the talmidim not only survived — they thrived. All the while, Rav Avrohom Kalmanowitz, zt"l, worked feverishly in the United States to sustain the yeshiva in body and spirit.

After seven years, they finally arrived in New York City, where they re-established the Mirrer Yeshiva. Rav Avraham Kalmanowitz, Rav Shraga Moshe Kalmanowitz, Rav Shmuel Berenbaum, Rav Ephraim Mordechai Ginsburg, Rav Hirsh Feldman, Rav Elya Jurkanski, Rav Shmuel Brudny, Rav Dovid Kviat, and Rav Nachman Nachamczyk, along with the other illustrious roshei yeshiva, began the task of transmitting the mesorah of the European yeshivos to the new generation. They served as father figures and role models for thousands of talmidim over multiple generations, including those who subsequently became essential catalysts for the growth of other yeshivos. On a daily basis, countless talmidim continue to draw upon the lessons learned and inspiration gleaned from the Mirrer roshei yeshiva.

While their lives within the beis medrash are open books, relatively little is known about their minhagim and activities during bein hazemanim — specifically, during the Yom Tov of Pesach. With the publication of The Mirrer Haggadah, we are proud to pull back the curtain on that special time of year. The reader will gain unprecedented insight into the minhagim of the roshei yeshiva and the manner in which they conducted their own Pesach Sedarim. Most importantly, we document for the first time priceless vertlach and expositions on the Haggadah: the roshei yeshiva’s own chiddushim and the Torah that they said at their Sedarim. For thousands of Mirrer alumni, this Haggadah offers a true taste of "home," transporting them back to their days spent learning with and from the Mirrer roshei yeshiva. Others will, for the first time, find themselves drawn to the magnetic personalities of these Torah leaders and their chiddushei Torah. All readers will discover within these pages fascinating facts and brilliant insights from these great men.

The Mirrer Yeshiva today serves as a makom Torah for hundreds of talmidim, from the Mirrer Yeshiva Ketana through the Mesivta and beis medrash, as well as their distinguished kollel. The roshei yeshiva and rabbeim serve with devotion as they continue teaching Torah with the same mesorah that they themselves received from their rabbeim.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tsemach Glenn spent his formative years learning in Mesivta Torah Vodaas. He is privileged to have enjoyed close personal relationships with Rav Avrohom Pam, Rav Simcha Sheps and Rav Elazar Kahanow, from whom he learned life lessons on hasmadah, vision, and mesiras nefesh on behalf of the klal. He lives with his wife and children in Far Rockaway, New York.

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