A large crowd participated last Sunday in the celebration of a new Sefer Torah in honor of the renowned Chasidic writer Rabbi Naftali Zvi Gottlieb and his wife Gittel Sprinza. The Sefer Torah was placed in the new and magnificent central synagogue “Chabad Lubavitch – Naftali’s Shul” in Beitar Illit Israel whose construction was completed last year.
It is worth noting the special atmosphere in the shul, which serves as a beacon of Torah and chasidism for all residents of the hill and the more distant neighborhoods. The shul also attracts residents from the entire area.
A few weeks before the Torah was finished, Rabbi Moshe Gottlieb passed away – much to his sadness. The establishment of the synagogue and the writing of the Sefer Torah for his parents was very close to his heart, and he really gave himself to this cause; He contributed himself and inspired those close to him about it, right up until his last day. Among the family, this is seen as a kind of last will and request before his death. This was something that was very sad for him for several weeks until his actual passing.
R’ Moshe’s family traveled came especially from abroad to participate in the event themselves in his honor.
In writing the last letter, his son Menachem Mendel, was honored with his generous older brother Shneur Zalman, who made a very respectable contribution to complete the writing of the Torah as soon as possible.
Many of the shul attendees and participants in the event got to know Rabbi Gottlieb during his life, and there was a consensus among them that he indeed deserved this great honor. It was evident that everyone was ‘praising’ him wholeheartedly, a magnificent synagogue and an elegant Torah scroll.
The Torah was then led by the entire community with great joy to the Shul. The event was attended by many members of community, public figures, and yeshiva students from the area.
The event ended with a seudas Mitavah meal attended by the general public. Participants who got to know Rabbi Naftali remembered with longing his special personality and the books published by him.
