2012 Siyum Hashas, recap and reflections on a historic night

The hour is late,  its 3 A.M, Just got back from my commute home from Metlife stadium. It was a true maamad kiddush hashem it was a maamad of achdus a maamad of klal yisrael as one. The 2012 Siyum hashas of Daf yomi was historic. The rains threatened all day, yet, when the siyum began, a cool summer breeze overtook the stadium, it was time for a celebration of torah.  Yes the program went very late, many parts could have been cut down or cut out altogether. However, when its a siyum hatorah and you have representation from across the broad spectrum of klal yisrael its challenging to satisfy and represent each and every group from all ages, litvishe to chasidim from sefardim to Modern orthodox from FFB to Balei Teshuva from older women to young children. Despite the late hour it was a smooth professional event a big yasher koach to the Agudah and all those involved in producing and putting it all together.

When the Lakewood Rosh yeshiva recited the Hadran, the spontaneous dancing and simcha that erupted throughout the stadium was palpable. Watching everyone dance and jumping with simcha was enough to inspire anyone contemplating, to start the 13th cycle of Daf Yomi. The speakers  inspired, uplifted, and elevated the crowd. It was heartwarming to hear prominent Roshei yeshiva address the crowd in English making many feel at home.

It was not the  trademark Agudah event known for professionalism and punctuality to have the program end so late. To be fair, the traffic and weather conditions forced the organizers to start late as many did not make it into the stadium right away. Looking back though, many speeches and introductions could have been shortened, the many audio visual presentations plus various niggunim which were all masterfully produced took up much time as well. Would have been nice if they would have showed those seated on the dais for all to see on the jumbo-tron. The highlights and inspiring moments  which took place much later on were a little to late in the evening and should have been done earlier in the program.
 All in all it was an inspiring and moving event having many coming home with only one question מאימתי ?