The President of Israel, Mr. Reuven Rivlin, who is currently on a two-day state visit to the Russian capital of Moscow, arrived Thursday morning for a tour of the world’s largest Jewish museum in the Marina Roscha Center in Moscow, and the Schneeerson Library housed in the museum for the past two years, since Russian president Vladimir Putin handed it over to Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar.
On the steps of Shaare Zedek Chesed Center nearby, one hundred fifty students of the Cheder Menachem Talmud Torah stood and greeted the honored guest, who was moved to see Jewish children who are being educated in the Torah and Mitzvos in the city of Moscow.
At the start of the tour, the President donned a large Yarmulka, which he wore throughout the visit.
The President was accompanied by the Israeli Ambassador to Russia Zvi Hefetz and the Israeli consul in Russia Yaakov Rosh.
Greeting them at the entrance to the museum was the President of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, Rabbi Alexander Boroda, who accompanied the guests during the visit.
The highlight of the visit was the tour of the Schneerson Library. The President expressed great interest in the collection of holy books, and expressed his wish that they soon be returned to their rightful place.
Upon completion of the visit, which was covered by many media outlets, the President was given a first edition of the recently published Maseches Brachos – Talmud Bavli, recently translated into Russian for the first time in history, continuing the momentum of translations of religious books for the masses, thirsty to learn Torah.
