Despite snow and freezing temperatures, hundreds gathered in northern Hungary to celebrate the hachnosas Sefer Torah of the first Sefer Torah for Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim of Austria-Hungary.
Located near the Austrian border in the Mosonmagyaróvár region, the yeshivah has quickly become a growing center of Torah and Chassidus in Europe, attracting bochurim from across the continent. Housed in a former hotel complex, it offers a calm, rural setting complete with open lawns – and even goats and chickens – evoking a uniquely Lubavitch atmosphere, along the route connecting Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava.
The celebration, held together with the inauguration of a newly built Zal, drew More than 200 shluchim and supporters from Vienna and Budapest attended, together with their families.
Especially moving was the presence of parents of Talmidim, who traveled from across Europe – from Vienna to Milan, Budapest to Antibes – as even from Eretz Yisrael, to celebrate alongside their sons. “When the yeshivah truly feels like one large family, you do whatever it takes to be part of the Simchah,” one parent remarked.
Present at the event were numerous Shluchim, Rabbanim, and Dayanim, including: Hagaon Harav Baruch Oberlander, Head Shaliach to Hungary and Av Beis Din of the Orthodox communities; the Yeshivah’s menahel and Sliach in Budapest, Harav Shmuel Glitzenstein; the Yeshivah’s founder and Head Shaliach to Austria, Harav Yaakov Biderman; the visionary who led and implemented the Yeshivah’s expansion under the wing of Chabad of Hungary, Harav Shlomo Köves, Chairman of Chabad Institutions in Hungary; Head Shaliach to Slovakia Harav Baruch Myers; along with the Yeshivah’s Rabbanim and Mashpi’im. Warm thanks were expressed to the Sefer Torah’s donor, R’ Emanuel Meirov of Vienna, and to the Sofer, Harav Reuven Greenberg, a parent of a student.
Following a torch-lit procession and lively Hakafot dancing, participants gathered for a Seudas Mitzvah. During the seudah, the Rosh Yeshivah Harav Chaim Fieldsteel shared the remarkable story behind the Sefer Torah and the clear Hashgachah Pratis that accompanied it:
“About two years ago, close to midnight, R’ Emanuel offered to give me a ride home from the Yeshivah. During the brief two-minute drive, he suddenly expressed his desire to partner with the Yeshivah through the donation of a Sefer Torah. At the time, we were preparing for a ‘Mamad HaSiyumim,’ during which each bochur completed a Masechta in addition to the regular learning schedule. I immediately felt that Heaven was arranging a beautiful union between Torah Shebichsav and Torah Shebaal Peh.
“Only a few days later, without knowing anything about this conversation, Harav Reuven the Sofer, approached me and suggested beginning the writing of a Sefer Torah for the yeshivah – with the hope that a donor might eventually be found to complete it. It was clear that this was a match made above, and we began the writing.”
“When we neared completion, we searched for an auspicious date for the celebration. I recalled a directive from the Rebbe to establish such events on a day of Segulah, and we agreed upon Rosh Chodesh Shevat. Shortly thereafter, I came across a letter from the Rebbe explicitly mentioning this directive and listing three specific dates – the first of them being Rosh Chodesh Shevat – based on the verse, ‘In the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, Moshe began to explain this Torah’ (Devarim 1:3–5).”
“And as if that weren’t enough, just days ago, when we saw the snow and hail covering the campus, some suggested postponing the event. Upon rereading the Rebbe’s letter, I noticed that Rosh Chodesh Shevat was mentioned specifically within a clear instruction not to delay the Siyum.”
The echoes of the celebration could still be felt in the surrounding cities for days afterward. “There was something in the air that truly felt like Tomchei Tmimim – like in the old days,” wrote one senior Shaliach. “It felt like stepping into a painting by R’ Zalman Kleiman,” shared one of the Shluchos.
Registration for the coming school year will open shortly. In response to strong demand, with plans underway for a new preparatory program for 8th-grade students as a Mechinah for Mesivta.
