3 years ago

Seventh Children’s Sefer Torah Completed

The completion of the Seventh Sefer Torah for children was marked this past Thursday, Chof Av at the Kotel in Jerusalem, with much pomp and a musical performance by Chabad singers Nemouel Harroch and Avi Avidani. The Rebbe MH”M initiated the campaign to write Sifrei Torah in the merit of Jewish children worldwide in 5741 (1981), with the first of such Sifrei Torah being completed at the Kosel on Chof Av of that year. Images of the event were captured by photographer Chaim Tuito • Full Story, Photos

The Rebbe MH”M initiated the campaign to write Sifrei Torah in the merit of Jewish children worldwide in 5741 (1981), with the first of such Sifrei Torah being completed at the Kosel on Chof Av of that year.

Exactly 40 years later, the seventh Sefer was finished in the exact same place, with thousands if Jews from all walks of life in attendance to celebrate. Honored guests included Jerusalem Chief Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, Chief Rabbi David Lau, and his father, Former Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, together with Chabad Rabbonim and Shluchim from around Israel.

The objective of the campaign is to unite all Jewish children under the age of Bar and Bat Mitzvah in a special Sefer Torah, by having each child buy his or her own letter in this unity Torah, which is written and kept in the Old City’s Tzemach Tzedek Shul, close to Har Habayis.

The Rebbe spoke on many occasions about the value and special power of this Torah:

On Shabbos Parshas Balak 5741 the Rebbe said that he requests “in every term of asking and pleading, in all ten terminologies of prayer and beseeching, that everyone should register Jewish children in the Sefer Torah.”

Similarly, the Rebbe said that this campaign is a “most important, crucial, necessary, and essential matter.”

The campaign has been directed by Rabbi Shmuel Greisman since its inception in 5741 (1981). As we get ready to complete the 7th Sefer Torah, this is your opportunity to participate in this campaign and the expenses involved with the dedication ceremony. The Rebbe was personally involved in every detail of this Mivtza, including the questions of how much to charge for a letter, how to approach the children, and what to do with children who were (then) behind the Iron Curtain. The Rebbe also personally designed the certificate which is sent to every child and the mantle of the Torah.

We don’t know all of the spiritual miracles connected to this campaign, but one of them we know for sure: Shortly before the Israeli Air Force bombed the nuclear reactor in Iraq, before Shavuos 5741, the Rebbe pressed the organizers to get a list of all the children that were registered before Shavuos.

Many times the Rebbe asked children in Yechidus if they have a letter, and the Rebbe also connected this Sefer Torah with blessings for those involved; often suggesting that people buy a letter for their children when in need of special blessing.

Especially in these challenging times, let us remember the Posuk the Rebbe has connected with this campaign:

“וּבָעֵת הַהִיא יַעֲמֹד מִיכָאֵל הַשַּׂר הַגָּדוֹל הָעֹמֵד עַל בְּנֵי עַמֶּךָ וְהָיְתָה עֵת צָרָה אֲשֶׁר לֹא נִהְיְתָה מִהְיוֹת גּוֹי עַד הָעֵת הַהִיא וּבָעֵת הַהִיא יִמָּלֵט עַמְּךָ כָּל הַנִּמְצָא כָּתוּב בַּסֵּפֶר”. (דניאל יב א)