Between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur: Five New Torah Scrolls Dedicated in Shuls across Russia

Jewish Russia in general, and its capital Moscow in particular, experienced a week full of events in honor of the Torah, with 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, in an exciting and impressive ceremony, celebrated the 140th anniversary since the establishment of the largest synagogue in the city, combined with the completion of the writing of a new Torah scroll. The special guest of honor, the Chief rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, was received in a special reception by the governor of the city and district, accompanied by the city’s rabbi, Rabbi Shimon Bergman. This was followed by a great celebration in honor of the Torah with the participation of leaders and representatives of the government and a large crowd.

In all the events, the chief rabbi of Russia combined words about the magnitude of the holy days, in which every Jew and every person, wherever he is, takes stock of the year that has passed, and prepares well for the coming judgment day. The rabbi encouraged and called everyone to participate in prayers in the many synagogues scattered throughout the capital’s neighborhoods as well as in other cities, to fast on the holy day and observe all the mitzvot of Shabbat and the holiday, thereby tipping the scales to realize true and complete redemption.

It should be noted that in the days of Rosh Hashanah that have passed, a special awakening was felt in all the communities in Russia in light of what is happening in our holy land in particular, and in the world in general. Accordingly, and in light of the chief rabbi’s call – the rabbis and congregation leaders are making every effort to increase the publicity about the prayers and the activities of the communities, to increase the holiday events and to welcome every Jew who comes, especially of the younger generation.

Photo: Mevaser Tov Moscow