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Moscow Shuls Packed for Yom Kippur Tefilos

The sanctuary of the Marina Roscha Central Synagogue has not seen so many worshippers on the Holy Day / A tremendous spiritual awakening was felt during the sermon of the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar shlit”a / Upon the conclusion of the fast, the central sukkah was immediately built in the courtyard in preparation for the holiday of Sukkot ahead of rainy weather • Read More, Photos

The special atmosphere of the month of Tishrei in Russia was strongly felt even before the onset of Yom Kippur. The bustling activity around the sanctuary of the Marina Roscha Central Synagogue in Moscow reached new heights this year, as many Jews from all walks of life flocked to the large Jewish center. Such sights of a massive crowd had not been seen in a long time, with the venue filled to capacity by masses thirsty for the word of God. Already on the night before the holiday, due to an endless and unexpected stream of people, an unprecedented congestion formed at the central location for Kaparot in the synagogue courtyard.

The crowding was so great that toward midnight, many were directed to various Chabad Houses in the capital’s neighborhoods, or to perform ‘Pidyon Kaparot’ in the adjacent charity tent of the central Gemach, where activity continued uninterrupted.

The spiritual preparations for the Holy Day began well in advance. Already on the 6th of Tishrei, the yahrzeit of the Rebbetzin Chana, a massive women’s gathering took place led by Rebbetzin Lazar. With the participation of about a thousand women, the event opened with the polishing of Torah crowns and a grand Challah baking ceremony. During a special inspiring program, the participants had the merit of receiving ‘lekach’ from Раввин Лазар.

Many participated in a series of Halacha classes in preparation for the High Holy Days, organized by the ‘Torah Classes Center’.

Immediately following Shacharis, the traditional distribution of ‘lekach’ began in the synagogue sanctuary, handed out by the Mara D’Asra, Rabbi Berel Lazar. For a long hour, the masses passed by to receive a piece of cake and a blessing for a sweet new year. Over a thousand pieces had been sliced and packaged in advance by volunteers from the ‘Shaarei Tzedek’ Jewish Chesed Center. Following the distribution, a moving ‘Birkas Habonim’ ceremony was held by the Rabbi shlit”a for all the students of the holy yeshivas in Moscow.

Particularly emotional moments were recorded when, close to the onset of the holiday, two Jews were brought into the covenant of Abraham our Father by the mohel Rabbi Mordechai Zvi Solomon and the sandek, the philanthropist Rabbi Yehuda Davidov, and had the merit of receiving a Jewish name from the Chief Rabbi.

Following the rich pre-fast meal served by the ‘Grisha’s Zimmer’ hospitality organization, the Mispalelim hurried to fulfill the custom of giving charity in the many collection boxes placed around the premises, reflecting the words of the holy Baal Shem Tov regarding the sound of clinking coins separating the kelipot.

The Yom Kippur prayers were characterized by an immense spiritual awakening. The shamash of the central synagogue, Rabbi Yeshayahu Lastov, prepared the Torah scrolls in advance, and additional carpets were purchased for the many worshippers during the kneeling in the Mussaf prayer. The brief intermission of only forty minutes between Mussaf and Mincha attested to the length of the prayers, with the participation of the large congregation under the dedicated leadership of the community director, Rabbi Mordechai Weisberg.

Before the Yizkor prayer, Раввин Лазар delivered a fiery sermon lasting about forty-five minutes. In his words, he awakened the congregation to strengthen themselves in the love of Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael, to increase in giving charity, and to do good deeds—words that came from the heart and penetrated deeply into the hearts of the listeners.

The climatic moment was recorded during the Neilah prayer, a time when the gates of heaven are open. The powerful singing of ‘Napoleon’s March,’ according to Chabad-Lubavitch custom, burst forth from the massive crowd prior to the sounding of the shofar.

Immediately upon the conclusion of the Holy Day, the public proceeded to a rich festive break-fast meal on the various floors of the building, provided for all Mispalelim. Simultaneously, as a practical expression of the connection between the High Holy Days and the Season of our Rejoicing, the rapid construction of the large central sukkah began in the synagogue courtyard—a process accelerated this year due to the forecast of rain in the coming days.

The joy of the mitzvah and the preparations for the Sukkot holiday continued from strength to strength into the night, amidst an uplifting feeling of purification.

Photography: Levi Nazarov