A brand new Torah Scroll recently completed in Beis Lubavitch of London will be used in a Chabad Center halfway around the world.
The Torah, written in Israel, was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Mendy Levy of the London suburb of Hendon, in memory of their grandparents Reb Shaul Elisha and Mrs. Malka Baum obm.
At the suggestion of their son, Shaully Levy – the Baums’ great-grandson – the Sefer Torah will be used in the Chabad House of Mariupol, Ukraine, directed by the Shluchim Rabbi and Mrs. Mendy Cohen.
On Sunday, 11 Tammuz 5752, the last letters were completed at the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Levy, just a stone’s throw away from the famous Beis Lubavitch, one of the world’s oldest Chabad institutions.
The last letters were written by Rabbi Nachman Sudak, head Shliach of the UK and Rabbi Yitzchok Meir Hertz, Rov of Anash in NW London, amongst others.
After Hagba by Rabbi Mendy Cohen, the completed Torah was brought into the street by Rabbi Moshe Levy.
The streets outside Beis Lubavitch have not seen such happy scenes for a while. Joyous dancing, backed up by live music, took the Torah on its journey to Beis Lubavitch.
Efficiently directed by the gabbai, Reb Yerucham Raskin, the hundreds assembled received turns to hold the new Torah, as bochurim from the Yeshiva Gedola and Yeshiva Ketana danced and celebrated.
It was “Simchas Torah in Tammuz,” as the Main Shul in Beis Lubavitch greeted the new Torah with the traditional Hakofos. The building shook as the hundreds of men and boys danced to the Rebbe’s Hakofos Niggun. The chayus of the bochurim was incredible. one non-Lubavitcher who watched said in awe, “If I stay longer, this scene will turn me into a Lubavitcher.”
As the sun descended into the Chag Hageulah of Yud Beis Tammuz, hundreds of Anash, Tmimim and family members sat down to a festive meal and Farbrengen, honoring the new Torah and the special Chasidishe Yom Tov.
Rabbi Mendel Gordon, Mashpia at the Yeshiva Gedola, chaired the event and divrei brocho were heard from Rabbi Nachman Sudak and Rabbi Yitzchok Meir Hertz.
Rabbi Dovid Katz, Shliach in West Hampstead, explained the chiyuv of writing a personal sefer torah, with the Rebbe’s explanation, while Rabbi Chaim Rapaport explained the importance of a Mechitza according to the Rebbe’s opinion, stressing the use of one during any event.
Rabbi Shalom Osdoba pointed out how the Torah was completed in one Beis Chabad but will ultimately be used in another Beis Chabad, in a different country.
Rabbi Mordechai Nissim, who travelled with the Torah from Eretz Yisroel, told over the amazing journey they had when they had to make an emergency landing in Greece. When they stayed overnight, they they were told the uncompleted Torah could be used without a brocho, which they did and enjoyed a kosher breakfast delivered by Chabad of Athens.
Reb Sheale Baum recounted memories of his grandparents Reb Shaul Elisha and Mrs. Malka Baum A”H and of how their Torah will be going to a Chabad House so close to Kobilari, her birthplace. Rabbi Mendy Cohen of Mariupol, thanked the Levy family for this Torah, which came to him at a time he needed it most.
The Sefer was written by Haggai Rotshtane of Beitar Ilit Israel, and the Kesav is absolutely beautiful,
hymie brovsss in action awesome all the way from motown
shkoach mendy for your constant contributions to tzedaka vachesed ,the zechus zol dir bishtein ,shkoach rabbi , mrs and entire levy family for your contributions and for making this event the success that it was
sholem
I took great pleasure in reading this article and looking at the pictures.
This is a big Kiddush Hashem and Kiddush shem Lubavitch.
The Zchus zol unz byshtein and im sure Bubby and Zeidy are receiving a lot of Nachas from this Torah and from all their children, grand children and great grand children.
Elimelech
This is so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes! The Levys (both generations!) are truly wonderful people, who have tremendous Hachnosas Orchim, and do countless good deeds in their own quiet way. They do these mitzvos lishmo, never expecting reward or honour in return! May they be blessed in everything, ad bli dai! Fondly, A woman from Stamford Hill
Mendy, we r very proud of your good work, keep it up.
These pictures make the place look way smaller than it is
Kol hakovod to Mendy Levy, for his dedication and commitment to helping people. the whole event was special from start to finish.
Yossi
🙂 🙂 🙂 i see you
efficiently directed by yeruchem raskin??…this article has really flowery tone!anyway it is a massive mitzva so well done Mendy levy and fam
What a beautiful simcha this was! The dancing electrifying & the joy was breathtaking! Mazel tov again to mendy levy & family
Shaully is Mendy’s son, Mendy is Moshe’s son, Moshe is a son-in-law, that makes Mendy a grandson and his son a great-grandson
a beautiful thing from a amazing family, mendy may you continue to do your good work and tzedoko, and may you be zocher to have happiness health wealth and hatzlocho bechol inyonim,
MW – London
The Torah couldn’t be used by a nicer guy than Mendy Cohen.
Sruly Simon
Shaully Levy – the Baums’ great-grandson – He’s in fact the Baum’s grandson and not great-grandson.