During Shmini Atzeres and Simchas Torah this year, men, women and children will have the opportunity to kiss the Rebbe’s Sefer Torah.
The Rebbe’s Sefer Torah, a small Sefer Torah originally known as the Slavita Sefer Torah, once belonged to the Schapiro brothers, chassidic printers in the town of Slavita, known for printing the first edition of the Tanya.
They were falsely accused of murder and arrested by the czarist police in 1839. After being forced to run the gauntlet, they were held first in prison and later under house arrest for 17 years. While they were detained, this was the Torah they used.
The family of Reb Shmuel Abba Schapiro, their descendants, recovered the Torah from the Communists, and when they fled to Eretz Yisroel, the Torah was one of the only possessions they took with them.
In 1954, Reb Shmuel Abba Schapiro wished to sell the Torah to the Rebbe, since he felt that such a holy and special Torah should belong to one of great stature. Upon hearing this, Rabbi Moshe Ashkenazi, Rov of Tel Aviv, purchased it for the Rebbe.
The Rebbe treasured this Torah, which he held during Hakafos for many years, and is etched in many Chassidim’s memories of Simchas Torah with the Rebbe.
The designated times to kiss the Rebbe’s Sefer Torah:
Men:
Leil Shmini Atzeres:
After Hakafos (approx 11:30pm)
Leil Simchas Torah:
After Hakafos (approx 1:30am)
Line will be through 770-Sukkah.
There will not be a line for kissing the Sefer Torah during Hakafos.
Women, children and handicapped:
Shmini Atzeres Day:
3:30 pm – 7:15 pm
Kingston Avenue Women’s shul
Line starts on Union Street
