How a Torah Talks

Irvine, CA [CHI] — It could have been one of those simple and nice Chabad events where people come to socialize and celebrate a special occasion. After all, how really inspiring could it be to watch a person writing? I myself have been to a Siyum Sefer Torah many times. Sure, there is the Jewish music playing in the background, or special food that might be served. But this one was different. Not just that the program was different, but the magical experience of something really spiritual happening. This was an event that I have never witness before – IT WAS REAL!

More pictures in the Extended Article!

Rabbi Alter Tenenbaum of Chabad of Irvine together with Rabbi Moshe Druin of Sofer On Site had put something really unique and special together to celebrate the closing ceremony of the completion of a sefer Torah. This Sefer Torah was specifically dedicated to the youth in our community, the true future of the Jewish people and sponsored by the Samson and Tabak families.

The weather provided a wonderful turnout for the 300 members of our community and others as they participated in the Letter Fill-In ceremony expertly performed by master sofer, Rabbi Moshe Druin. Leading up to the Siyum some 50 families were invited to come up and fill in one of the final letters. No, this was not one of the same –“if you’ve seen it once you’ve seen them all” type of letter fill-ins. This time the Torah spoke!

Rabbi Tenenbaum guided by Rabbi Druin prepared an unusual experience for the community. No one expected it. After a brief welcoming, the lights went out and a voice was heard describing the original Matan Torah story with sound effects! All were moved by the power of the words with only the imagination to fill in the scene. They were then emotionally inspired by a heart moving responsive reading. When filling in the final letter, Rabbi Druin then spoke that at that moment the heavens are open and Someone is listening! So we concentrated our thoughts, emotions and prayers and anticipated what followed.

Finally, as the last letter was being written and all of us were really praying- there wasn’t a dry eye. We all broke out in song and marched with the Torah under the Chupa onto the main road. A new Torah was born, and many more Jews now felt personally connected to the Torah and our nation in a way they never felt before – it was real!

Rabbi Druin’s years of experience in showing how Torah can talk to everyone is truly amazing. While speaking to one family whose letter happened to be a “Shin”, Rabbi Druin described the wisdom behind the letter by saying, “This holy letter represents the blessing of Shalom-Peace and with it comes Simcha-Joy. At that moment both parents felt a rush of something magical and amazing. As the mother began to cry, Rabbi Druin asked what he said that made them react that way, to which they replied, “Our two sons names are Shalom and Simcha! They are our blessing!”

Rabbi Tenebaum also related some wonderful reactions, such as:
Morris – This was the most amazing Jewish experience for me and my family.
Gary – It was amazing to see the community to unite together and bring a new Sefer Torah into the synagogue before the Rosh HaShana.
Rafi – On behalf of my wife and family, I’d like to thank the rabbis and Chabad for organizing this wonderful event and including our family. When our daughter was decorating the wimple (special binder created for the ceremony) she prayed to HaShem that with this Torah her family should be blessed with good health & happiness. This meant a lot to both of us.

Chabad of Irvine is over 25 years old and has just moved in their new building a little over 2 years ago. We wish their community many blessings for continued growth, success, and Jewish prosperity.