Ironically, the majority of "Magedei Shiur" of the Daf Ha'Yomi and shiurim in Mishnayois, are not Roshei Yeshiva at all, and not Rabbanim, but ordinary "baalei-batim" In fact, attend any given shul and I'll bet there is a baal-boooos giving a well attended shiur! Speaking for Beit Shemesh where I live, the ones giving the Daf Yoimi are ALL baalei-batim!
In Yeshivois, I remember, when the Rebbe or Rosh Yeshiva wanted to belittle or mock you or even curse you, they would yell "What's going to become of you? You will becaome a "baal-booooooooos"
They mocked the very people that supported them!
But now, in the last decade, a major threat has come from the ""baal-booooooooos" camp, they are the biggest "marbeitzei torah" and have the largest followings.
Those baalei-batim learning the daf have finished Shas multiple times and have become bigger Talmedei chachamim than most Roshei Yeshiva and are "baki be'shas upoiskim"
I was recently at a shiur given by a known Rosh Yeshiva who was discussing Hichos Shabbos and he quoted a Mogein Avraham, when one of the participants, a regular daf-yoimi goer, a pashuteh baal-ha'boooooooos" said out loud, "there is no such Mogein Avraham", it turned out that the RY misquoted a pri-megadim ( a pirush on the מגן אברהם) that actually was the total opposite of what the RY wanted to convey!
And this irks the "oilom ha'yeshiva!" The hated baalei-batim are becoming a threat to them! Which if you think about it, is very silly & childish but this is really the mentality of the Yeshivishe ama-ratzim!
So they are now attacking Reb Eli who has brought tens of thousands to Torah, some of whom never opened a sefer in their lives!
Instead of praising him, they are attacking him! And this what is going on in the "oilom ha'torah" in the Chardeie communities!
This just in!
Stefansky responded :
His Daf Yomi shiur is not meant to replace yeshiva‑style iyun. His goal is to reach people who otherwise would not learn Gemara at all. He wants to make Daf Yomi accessible, enjoyable, and consistent.
He said:If someone wants lomdus, they should learn a second seder.”This is exactly the classic Daf Yomi philosophy. He emphasized that thousands are learning because of the shiur He pointed out that: Many people who never opened a Gemara are now learning daily. His shiur has brought Jews back to Torah.The excitement helps people stay committed. “If I can get one more Yid to learn Torah, that’s everything.”
Stefansky clarified that: The humor and energy are tools to keep people engaged. The Torah is the center — not the jokes. He works extremely hard to prepare each daf seriously.“I’m not here to perform. I’m here to teach Torah.”
He stressed: He doesn’t want controversy. He doesn’t want to be part of any fight between communities. He wants achdus and kavod haTorah.“We’re all on the same team — Klal Yisrael.”
His answer was with Respect and Humility No defensiveness, No counter‑criticism, And only focused on Torah and unity!
It was one of the most dignified responses in recent Torah‑world controversies.
