After a tragic fire caused major damage to the building where a Toronto Shul in located, the community decided to respond with the writing of a new Torah. The dedication was held before Yom Kippur.
After a tragic fire caused major damage to the building where a Toronto Shul in located, the community decided to respond with the writing of a new Torah. The dedication was held before Yom Kippur.
The December 2020 fire ravaged the fifth floor of the Toronto apartment building which also house the Ohalei Yoseph Yitzchak Congregation. At least 4 people were hospitalized and 29 residents displaced following the blaze.
“On numerous occasions, the Rebbe said that negative events should be countered with positive actions to counteract a tragedy,” the shul’s Rabbi Yirmi Cohen told Anash.org. “So we decided that the best response to the fire would be to write a new Sefer Torah for the shul.”
Over the past months, Rabbi Cohen and his father Rabbi Chai Cohen raised funds from the Toronto community for the Torah, while the Torah was being written. On Vov Tishrei of this year, the Torah was completed and dedicated in the presence of community members and friends.
Writing the final letters was the sofer Rabbi Shmuel Zirkind. The writing was then followed by dancing and hakafos, continuing on for hours.
“We were honored that Rabbi Korobkin and Rabbi Lowy attended,” Rabbi Cohen said. “It was a joyous day of much celebration.”
Discussion
In keeping in line with the Rabbonim's policies for websites, we do not allow comments. However, our Rabbonim have approved of including input on articles of substance (Torah, history, memories etc.)
We appreciate your feedback. If you have any additional information to contribute to this article, it will be added below.