Newly founded communities in Russia receive their own Sifrei Torah this week in joyous events under the auspices of Russia’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Berel Lazar.
Jewish Russia in general, and its capital Moscow in particular, experienced a week full of events in honor of the Torah. This included the introduction of five new and elegant Torah scrolls to shuls and Chabad houses that serve as a spiritual home for thousands of Russian Jews on a daily basis.
The Torah scrolls were brought to Chabad houses in the following Moscow neighborhoods: Alekseeva, Pushkino, Leninsky-Prospekt, and to the campus of the Jewish Orphanage in Moscow. Some of these are communities that have just recently been established and are now getting their own Torah scroll for the first time.
The city of Nizhny Novgorod celebrated the 140th anniversary of its largest synagogue with an exciting and impressive ceremony. This celebration was combined with the completion of a new Torah scroll. The special guest of honor, the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, was welcomed in a special reception by the governor of the city and district, alongside the city’s rabbi, Rabbi Shimon Bergman. Following this, a grand celebration was held in honor of the Torah, with leaders, government representatives, and a large crowd in attendance.
At all these events, Rabbi Lazar shared words about the importance of the holy days, in which every Jew and person reflects on the past year and prepares for the upcoming judgment day. He encouraged everyone to attend prayers in the many synagogues across the capital’s neighborhoods and other cities, to fast on Yom Kippur, and observe all the mitzvot of Shabbat and the holiday. He emphasized that by doing so, we tip the scales toward bringing the true and complete redemption.
It should be noted that during the days of Rosh Hashanah, a special spiritual awakening was felt across all communities in Russia, especially in light of current events in the Holy Land and the world. In response to Rabbi Lazar’s call, rabbis and community leaders are working tirelessly to increase publicity about prayers and community activities, to expand holiday events, and to warmly welcome every Jew, especially from the younger generation.
Photos: Mevaser Tov Moscow
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