A wave of singing and celebration filled Yerushalayim’s Old City on Chof Av as the ninth Sefer Torah written for Jewish children was completed and brought to the Kosel in the presence of tens of thousands of Yidden.

The final letters were written at the Tzemach Tzedek shul by leading rabbonim, Rebbes, roshei yeshiva and prominent askonim, including many who had devoted themselves tirelessly to registering children and advancing the worldwide campaign.

The new Sefer Torah represents 304,805 Jewish children from communities across the globe, each of whom acquired a letter through the work of thousands of the Rebbe’s shluchim.

The campaign began in 5741, when the Rebbe instructed that a special Sefer Torah be written exclusively for Jewish children, uniting them through their individual letters and bringing protection and security to the Jewish people.

After the final letters were completed, pesukim were read from the new Sefer Torah, followed by hagbah and gelilah. A magnificent crown was then placed upon it before the procession set out from the Tzemach Tzedek shul toward the Kosel.

Accompanied by music, drums and spirited dancing, the procession wound through the streets of the Old City as growing crowds joined the celebration.

At approximately 6:00 p.m., the procession entered the Kosel plaza, where a large decorated stage had been prepared. The Sefer Torah was carried to the center of the stage as the crowd broke into “Sisu V’simchu B’Simchas Torah” and other joyous niggunim.

A festive Mincha was held with the enormous crowd, which included families and groups who had traveled from across Eretz Yisroel on organized buses, in private vehicles and by public transportation.

Despite the long journeys and intense summer heat, Yidden from communities and backgrounds across the country came to take part in the historic celebration.

The first to carry the ninth Children’s Sefer Torah during the celebration was Rabbi Shmuel Greisman, chairman of the committee overseeing the writing of the Children’s Sifrei Torah. One of the Rebbe’s shluchim to Eretz Yisroel, Rabbi Greisman has directed the campaign with tireless dedication since the first Sefer Torah was written.

The new Torah was then passed from one honored guest to another among the rabbonim and dignitaries gathered on the stage.

The program was led by Rabbi Schneur Raskin, the Rebbe’s shliach and director of the Chabad center in Alfei Menashe, who played a central role in arranging and producing the event.

The highlight of the evening came with the recitation of Atah Horeisa, followed by joyous hakafos in the manner of Simchas Torah. In keeping with the unique purpose of the Children’s Sefer Torah, the crowd also recited the Twelve Pesukim and Maamarei Chazal selected by the Rebbe for Jewish children to learn by heart.

Chabad singers Nemuel Harush and Simcha Friedman led the crowd in hours of singing and dancing, with the program deliberately centered on the joy of the Sefer Torah rather than lengthy speeches.

Four brief addresses were delivered by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, rov of the Kosel and the holy sites; Rabbi David Yosef, Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel; Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, former Sephardic Chief Rabbi and rov of Yerushalayim; and Rabbi Reuven Elbaz, rosh yeshiva of Ohr Hachaim and a member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah.

The hakafos continued in an extended outpouring of singing and dancing, as the new Sefer Torah was carried across the stage and the vast crowd celebrated below.

At approximately 9:00 p.m., the official program concluded with an emotional rendition of “Ani Maamin.”

The ninth Children’s Sefer Torah was then escorted back to the Tzemach Tzedek shul, where it joined the eight Sifrei Torah completed before it.

Production: Tzvaim Productions
Photos: Yossi Grufi, Chaim Tuito, Mendy Tuito