The Kollel Chatzot Experience
The avreichim share their unique experience of midnight study in the special atmosphere of the Kollel Chatzot.
Last week I met a friend and he asked me "isn't it hard to awaken each night, and get out from under your warm blanket, to go to kollel chatzos?" I answered him by asking "when was the last time you truly davened for the geulah and for the beis hamikdash?" He lowered his eyes and said "I think on tisha b'av"
I said to him "and I, last night at chatzos. When I know that the beis hamikdash is in ruins, and that klal Yisrael is in galus, and on top of that the shechina is in galus, how can one sleep?"
There are those who suspect and say that surely such a place is full of sad and bitter people. I used to suspect as much too until I joined the kollel chatzos but when I came to check out the place I discovered that the exact opposite is true. Avreichem that are strong in their faith and trust in Hashem that He will soon rebuild the beis hamikdash and that He will gather all the Yidden, are mourning for the churban and praying for the Final redemption with joy and true yearning. I joined them.
May it be His will, that together with all the supporters in whose merit we are able to rise at midnight, we merit to see the beis hamikdash rebuilt with the coming of moshiach, as chazal have said 'those who mourn for (the destruction of ) yerushalayim will merit to see her in her happiness, speedily in our days. Amen.
Your Sincerely,
Alter Yagelneck
