Before the Ashes: Klal Yisroel Celebrates our Eternal Sustenance in Poland 1938
It's difficult to comprehend the state of European Jewry in June of 1938, just months before the barbaric extermination of most of its population began R"l.
Still, it was precisely at that time that some 20,000 yidden from throughout the continent gathered in Lublin for a massive celebration of the completion of the second cycle of the Daf Yomi. The Siyum was held in Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin, whose legendary Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Meir Shapiro zt"l, introduced the Daf Yomi concept just fifteen years earlier at the Knessiah Gedolah of Agudas Yisroel.
HaRav Meir was niftar some five years prior to the second Siyum, but the fruits of his Torah revolution were already beginning to be evident. The second Siyum was a prestigious and celebratory event that was meticulously planned for months before and broadcast in media far and wide.
Unfortunately, organized Torah learning and celebrations in Eastern Europe would not last much longer. Yet, the core sustenance of netzach Yisroel – an unwavering dedication to Torah learning – could not be extinguished.
Several decades after world Jewry began rebuilding from the ashes, The Siyum would once again have over 20,000 celebrants – and grow exponentially, cycle after cycle. Now, over 100,000 yidden worldwide look forward to celebrating The Siyum in six months under the banner of The Agudah – the largest and grandest Siyum HaShas ever.
If only the yidden in Lublin could have foreseen how their learning and celebration would reverberate for eternity…
Please visit thesiyum.org for information and updates regarding the upcoming Siyum HaShas, or text siyum to 313131. If you would like to join Chavrei HaSiyum or for general inquiries about the Siyum HaShas, email info@thesiyum.org. 
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