Kollel Nachlas HaTorah opened its doors at Congregation Machzikei Torah on Rosh Chodesh Shevat, 5775. Since then, the daily Kollel has enabled a growing number of Baltimore men to use their free time on weekday mornings to advance their Torah learning in a stimulating and welcoming environment.
The Rosh Kollel, Harav Nechemiah Goldstein, created a well-structured program which runs from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. from Monday though Friday. The learning program commences after Machzikei Torah’s 8:30 Shacharis minyan, with refreshments available. Monday through Thursday, Harav Goldstein begins with a half-hour halocho shiur, based on the Mishnah Berura, supplemented by a review of relevant piskei halocho on related topics going back through history and forward to the present day. The regular topic (currently Hilchos Brachos) is interrupted when appropriate by topics such as Hilchos Yom Tov in the relevant seasons, and on Friday morning, the halocho shiur is replaced by a shiur on Parshas Hashavua.
The first shiur is followed by an hour of Gemara learning in chavrusos or larger groups which move ahead at their own pace depending on the participants’ preferences regarding speed and depth. Currently, some members are learning Maseches Berachos, some are learning Maseches Sanhedrin, and others are following their individual preferences. At 11 a.m., Harav Goldstein delivers a half-hour Gemara shiur on Megillah. The members of the Kollel, whose ages span a wide range, come from diverse backgrounds, and there is much wide-ranging and lively give-and-take between the participants. Harav Goldstein’s broad and deep knowledge enables him to answer a broad spectrum of questions and expose everyone to a host of halachic opinions and illustrative stories spanning periods from the Rishonim to current poskim.
Supplementing the regular daily limudim, distinguished Rabbonim and other leading community figures periodically deliver Divrei Torah to the Kollel. During the Kollel’s first year, guest speakers have included HaRav Yaakov Hopfer, HaRav Nesanel Kostelitz, Harav Zvi Teichman, Harav Dovid Heber, Mr. Avraham Beard, one of the Kollel’s members, who discussed how he became a ger tzedek, Harav Dovid Ostroff, a talmid muvhak of Harav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, and Harav Yisrael Neuman, Rosh Yeshiva of Lakewood’s Beth Medrash Govoha.
The Kollel provides an opportunity to men of all ages who want to spend their mornings engaged in the world’s most valuable endeavor -- advancing their Torah knowledge. It provides a structure for men of all ages who have flexible schedules, especially those who are retired or between jobs. It is not necessary to attend every day, or to spend the full two hours at the Kollel. All shiurim are delivered on a level commensurate with the background of all the participants. The Kollel beis medrash is open to anyone who wants to sit and learn or listen to a shiur in a beis medrash environment, whether on a regular or occasional basis.
All men of the community are invited to discover how much they can gain from Kollel Nachlas HaTorah. They can expect to enjoy a warm, friendly and enlightening experience. For more information, please contact Harav Nechemiah Goldstein at 410-358-1019 or Rabbi Yitzchok Neger at 443-803-0580.
