By Rabbi Shmuli Schlanger, Director of Chabad of Bakersfield, CA
A few weeks ago, I was sitting in my office at the Chabad Jewish Community Center of Bakersfield, when a young gentleman and his family walked in.
The young man, Michael Wesley Rayl, said he has something to show me and he wanted to know if I knew what it was and if I can translate it for him.
He then took out a small scroll wrapped in cloth. I gently unrolled it, and to my surprise, I saw that it was a Megillah – the Scroll of Esther.
“Where did you get this?” I asked, taken aback. The scroll was aged and looked worn, but it was beautiful. The parchment was yellowed and the letters written in holy script.
He said, “It was our grandfather’s. We were cleaning out his belongings and found this. We want to know what it is and its significance. We recognize the writing as Hebrew and thought you could help.”
“Where did he find this?” I asked.
“Our grandfather was a lieutenant in the US Air Force and brought it home after his tour in Europe during World War 2. He witnessed the hell of the Holocaust, he saw things no human being should ever, ever see. He saved this scroll, found among the smoldering ruins,” he said.
I looked at the scroll. Goosebumps and tears overtook me. I told them, “This scroll, the scroll of Esther, is something that is read during the Jewish holiday of Purim.”
I envisioned hundreds, if not thousands, of men, women and children. Kids dressed up in costumes of Queen Esther and Mordechai. Men passing around whiskey bottles. Delicious baskets of food shared.
Where was this Megillah read? In a Shtetl Shul? In a tiny ghetto room? In a large home filled with people? On a cattle car packed with men, women and children? How many people have listened to these beautiful words? Stomped out the name of our ever-present enemies? Celebrations of the past. No longer. People that once danced and booed Haman’s name. No longer. Perished in the flames of the Holocaust.
I asked them if they would think of returning this beautiful scroll, hidden away for so many years, to the Jewish community. Give it life once more. Give these letters and words a congregation. What once was, let’s bring back to life.
He said, “I’ve got to ask my father. It belonged to his father.”
The next day, the son of US Air Force Lieutenant William David Raines, came into Chabad of Bakersfield and said, “I would like to return this to the Jewish community. This is where it belongs. We have to remember and never forget.”
We are so grateful to Lieutenant William David Raines for saving this scroll over 70 years ago from the remnants of European Jewry and to Michael Wesley Rayl for a gift from our brothers and sisters in Europe 70 years later.
When we read from this tear-soaked Megillah during our next Purim celebration in Bakersfield we pledge to remember our lost family members, uncles and aunts, cousins and grandparents and rejoice with their souls. We as a nation will never be destroyed. We will continue on. We will move forward. We will persevere!
‘Megillat Esther’ is the triumph of
‘Goodness Over Evil’ also.
Boruch, Jerusalem
In Bakersfield but in Yerushalayim with Moshiach tzidkanu. May all the Jewish seforim and scrolls be returned to the Jewish people.
This was returned by what sounds like non jews which was amazing. Megilat esther is victory of jews over those who would destroy us. Special meaning that it was returned in time of pesach our geulah from mitzrayim. So may it be by purim we will have geulah and moshiach
It doesn’t seem they are necessarily Jewish. Everything that transpired is thru the grandfather, father & grandson. He recognized the writing is Hebrew, but had no idea whatsoever what it was. Didn’t seem to feel it was something they should hold on to.
A moving and inspiring story. May it bring the family who appreciated the meaningfulness of it closer to Yiddishkeit!
With over 11 months until next Purim, there is ample time to have the Megillah checked and fixed by a competent sofer who is willing to undertake this project.
Koach
so special, Schoyach & משיח עכשיו!
Thanks for sharing!