A historic Sefer Torah from the town on Lubavitch that was used by the Frierdiker Rebbe, Rebbe and Rashag by Simchas Torah hakafos in respective years, was taken out and read from in 770 on Thursday, the Rashag’s yahrzeit.
By Anash.org reporter
A historic Sefer Torah was read from today during the main minyan in 770 to mark the yahrzeit of the Rashag, son in law of the Frierdiker Rebbe and brother in law of the Rebbe.
The Torah is a small one and is said to have originated in the town of Lubavitch in White Russia. The Sefer Torah was used by the Frierdiker Rebbe during hakafos and other occasions for many years.
For the first few years following Yud Shevat 5710, the Rebbe would hold this Sefer Torah while dancing hakafos. In 5715 the Rebbe received the famous ‘Slavita Sefer Torah’ as a gift from Rabbi Moshe Ashkenazi. The Sefer Torah, originally written for the great tzadikim known as the Brothers of Slavita was then used by the Rebbe on a regular basis and became known as ‘The Rebbe’s Sefer Torah’.
From 5715 and onward, the Friediker Rebbe’s Sefer Torah was held by the Rashag during hakafos, and the Slavita Sefer Torah was held by the Rebbe as they danced together in the center of 770. The Sefer Torah then acquired the name ‘The Rashag’s Sefer Torah’.
For many years the Sefer Torah was missing from 770, its rightful home. In recent years, the Sefer Torah was returned, and on Thursday, to mark the yahrzeit of the Rashag, the Sefer Torah was taken out and read from during Shacharis.