Sefer Torah Dedicated to the Defenders of Israel

BEIT EL, Israel — January 4th, the 8th of Teves, Chabad from Israel’s Home Front went to an army base in the area of Beit El. To dedicate a new Sefer Torah. They were accompanied by a young couple, newlyweds Israel and Gabriela Kopel. On their wedding day they began writing a Sefer Torah, which they decided to dedicate to the defenders of Israel. With the help of their friend, Rabbi Mendel Rosenfeld, who is the one of the Rebbe’s shluchim to Florida; they contacted Tzeirei Chabad HQ in Israel who arranged the celebration. Joining in the celebration, the bride and groom’s parents, and some of their siblings and friends along with a special guest Rabbi, Yehoshua Binyomin Rosenfeld, a good friend of the family and the Rebbe’s Shliach to Colombia.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

The experience was moving and beyond anything I could possibly have imagined. Here we were, bringing together the Torah that protects us, with the soldiers who protect us.

The combination was awe-inspiring. The meshing of the two guardians of Israel – the Torah and the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces — was beautiful and joyous. As we danced and sang with the soldiers, I could see the awesome effect the generosity and caring of this young couple was having on them. Just imagine if you can that you are a soldier in Israel facing danger and war, knowing you are risking your life for the Jewish people, and along come these two young people who tell you in word and deed how deeply your courage is appreciated, how they have decided to dedicate a precious Torah to you and your comrades.

It was such a powerful and emotionally dramatic day. More than once I felt tears forming in my eyes as I watched and participated in all that was going on around me.

After the dancing and singing subsided, the soldiers had the opportunity to fill in the last letters of the Torah and be part of this momentous occasion. The groom, Israel Kopel, in his speech to the soldiers commented that the last word of the Torah is Yisrael. “Each of the last letters stands for another one of our forefathers and mothers. Certainly they are also watching and blessing each of you.”

Most of these soldiers were on the way to join their brothers in Gaza. The others were about to leave on a mission to Ramallah, where their task was to capture eight wanted terrorists.

Yet, despite the danger they were facing, despite the hazards and risks they were about to encounter, during these few precious moments, the only thing that filled their hearts and their thoughts was that a new Torah was being dedicated – in their honor.

The boost, the inspiration, the emotional reassurance that the soldiers received from this powerful and moving experience was clearly evident in the way they danced with such emotion, in the way they rejoiced with the Torah. Their faces glowed. Their eyes shone. Their smiles were like rays of sunshine beaming on all of us.

I was truly humbled to be in the company of these courageous young soldiers. And I was truly humbled to be able to accompany Israel and Gabriela Kopel on this mission. Their extraordinary dedication to the defenders of Israel is beyond description.

Every time I think, “Wow, I have just experienced the most momentous moment of my life,” along comes another experience like this one that takes its place.

-The Israel Home Front
TheIsraelHomeFrontFund.org