In August 2012 my wife wanted me to go to the Siyum Hashas but I didn't feel comfortable going since I wasn't learning Daf Yomi. She kept insisting that there would be thousands of people answering "amein" together and that it would be an awesome experience. While I knew she was right, I hadn't learned Daf Yomi so I stayed home.
The very next day I asked my 91 year old grandfather in Toronto if he would like to start learning the daf with me daily. I realized how lucky I was to have a grandfather who, after surviving the war, had gone on to become a rebbi for over 20 years and had continued serving the community even in his retirement, and that learning with him was a priceless opportunity. At first, my grandfather was a little skeptical about the logistics, and after our attempts at video calls failed, we decided to keep things simple and learn over the phone. I called at 8:30 AM every day, said good morning to my grandmother and then started learning with my grandfather, something we did for more than seven years, going to a shiur or learning the daf on our own on Shabbos and yom tov. I purchased each volume of the ArtScroll Daf Yomi size as we progressed through Shas, my gemaras accompanying me over yomim tovim, on vacations and at family get togethers worldwide, and Baruch Hashem, I now own the full 73 volume set.
The Shabbos after Simchas Torah, my grandfather returned his holy neshama to his maker, a mere two days before we were scheduled to start the final mesechta of Shas. I learned the last mesechta with my cousin, a rebbi from Toronto and another one of my grandfather's grandchildren, and we were zoche to finish the last mesechta together. He came to the Siyum HaShas at MetLife Stadium with his class and we learned the fourth to last daf, in person, at The Siyum.
This year was not only the first time I attended a Syium Hashas since 1994, but it was also the first time I came as a misayem. It is something I will remember for the rest of my life, seeing so many people, from all walks of life, coming together to celebrate Torah. I am happy to say that this time around I am, Baruch Hashem, learning Daf Yomi on the phone with my father in Montreal every day, and doing it again with my nephew every evening. Here's to celebrating the 14th Siyum Hashas in June 2027!
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