Ben Jakob
WHAT IS A SIYUM? I thought you would never ask. I know many people believe it is just another opportunity for us Jews to have a party and eat some food. In a sense, this is partially true, however, as with everything in Judaism, there are methods and reasons behind everything we do. Let us explore some of those together. However, before we begin, we need to learn what a siyum is, when we make one, and on what occasions. The word comes from the Hebrew word סים (sayam) which means to conclude. When we take on a major undertaking and finish it, that is an appropriate time to fete the milestone. When we are learning and then conclude a Masechta of Gemara (Bavli or Yerushalmi) or a seder of Mishnayos it is also an occasion to celebrate. We do so with special prayers that have special and cryptic meanings, and a festive meal to which we invite some participants. This ceremony of concluding the section of what we learned is called a siyum (conclusion). The prayers we recite are called the Hadran (after the first word of the prayers we say) and we add to that the special Kaddish HaGadol that is said at the conclusion of the Hadran. You may have attended a siyum or two and had numerous questions but did not know where to turn or whom to ask for answers and explanations. For example, what do those prayers mean? Why do we mention Rav Pappa and his ten sons? Who were they? What is that long Kaddish that we say at the end? With the help from the Big Boss, I hope to answer these questions and share with you the little bit of knowledge I have gleaned on the subject over the years.We know that no matter how well we studied any material, there is much more to learn and delve into; nevertheless, yours is still a major accomplishment that should be commemorated and celebrated with friends and family. We are going to discuss how to do it properly according to halacha so that it has a deeper spiritual meaning. Typically, one makes a siyum after the completion of one of the following:When finishing the entire Chumash with at least one major commentary.[1]When completing one of the Nevi’im with the commentary of one of the Rishonim.[2]A seder of MishnayosAfter completing the entire six Orders of MishnayosA Masechta of Talmud BavliA Masechta of Talmud YerushalmiAfter completing the entire Talmud BavliAfter completing the entire Talmud YerushalmiAfter the completion of a complete section of Shulchan AruchLearning the whole of Rambam’s Mishnah TorahReading through all the Zohar even if he did not understand it.[1] Iggros Moshe; Orach Chaim 1:157[2] Ibid.
