Thousands Celebrate Three Days of Joy in Moscow

Thousands of Jews gathered at the Marina Roscha Shul in central Moscow for a flurry of vibrant events over the three days of Hoshana Rabbah, Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah, creating memorable moments that will remain with the community throughout the winter.

Hoshana Rabbah at the Marina Roscha Shul began at the stroke of midnight. As the large crowd participated in the traditional recitation of Tehillim, the large sukkah bustled with activity. Inside “Grisha’s Zimmer,” the hospitality room within the sukkah complex, attendees were served slices of apple with honey, bowls of fresh, steaming soup and hot beverages.

The following morning presented a vibrant scene, with numerous Shacharis minyanim held side-by-side to accommodate the endless stream of congregants. The davening was intertwined with the joyous celebration of two consecutive, moving Bris Milah ceremonies. Russian Mohel, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Zaklas, the Rav and shliach to Bryansk, traveled specifically to Moscow to perform the brissim.

Behind the scenes, the gabbaim and a skilled team of workers labored tirelessly to prepare the premises for the thousands of celebrants expected for Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah. The extensive preparations included constructing a massive bimah along the eastern wall of the shul, where community dignitaries and the Sifrei Torah would stand facing the masses.

This year also brought a new addition: illuminated signs installed in prominent locations around the shul provided the vast crowd with real-time updates on the current hakafah, allowing everyone to follow the proceedings and participate in an orderly manner.

The climax came on the night of Simchas Torah, as thousands of Jews packed the shul to embrace the Torah and express their gratitude to Hashem for the revealed miracles surrounding the FlyDubai flight.

The celebrations followed deeply emotional words from Russia’s Chief Rabbi and shliach, Rabbi Berel Lazar, about the great miracle that left the entire world in awe, and the miracles for which Shehecheyanu is recited on Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah.

At one o’clock in the morning, hundreds of celebrants poured into the city streets, extending the tremendous joy outward and drawing its spiritual influence upon the millions of city residents for the year ahead.

On Isru Chag, the dismantling of the hakafos bimah along the eastern wall began, leaving behind an indelible memory of the Yom Tov celebrations. The joyous dancing and remarkable unity experienced at Marina Roscha will continue to accompany and warm the entire community throughout the long winter.

Photography: Levi Nazarov