Rabbi Shlomo Aharon Henig, 80, OBM

Rabbi Shlomo Aharon Henig, one of the most renowned sofer stams (scribes) in Israel who merited to receive guidance from the Rebbe, passed away Wednesday, 1 Sivan, 5781.

He was 80.

Rabbi Henig was of the respected members of the Chabad community in Jerusalem, serving as a member of the board of Yeshiva Toras Emes and its educational institutions.

For many years, Rabbi Henig was active in Mivtza Kashrus helping turn over the kitchens of many Jews into kosher ones and promoting the great mitzvah of eating according to the Torah.

He was most known as an expert sofer who has written in the Alter Rebbe‘s ksav, the style of writing developed over 200 years ago by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the first Rebbe of Chabad and author of the Tanya and Shulchan Aruch.

He was the sofer entrusted to write the Sefer Torah for Children which the Rebbe called on the 11th of Nissan 5741 (1981) to create and unites all Jewish children.

The Rebbe explained that in our physical world a visible gesture of oneness was vital and that the ultimate expression of unity was through Torah. For this purpose, the Rebbe called for the writing a special Torah for all Jewish boys and girls.

The completion of the first Torah was held at the historic Tzemach Tzedek Shul in the old city of Jerusalem. The Rebbe sent Crown Heights’ Rabbi Zalman Shimon Dvorkin as his special representative to the ceremony were Rabbi Henig wrote the final letter. The Rebbe also sent a special crown, donated by Rabbi Shneur Zalman Gurary.

To date, Rabbi Henig with the assistance of Rabbi Shimshon Cahana, completed 6 of these Sefer Torahs uniting over 1,800,000 children from around the world.

Rabbi Henig also wrote mezuzos, Tefillin and Megillahs. He passed on the expertise to his children Shneur, Yosef Yitzchok and Motti who founded Henig Judaica which provides top quality Torah Scrolls, Mezuzahs, Tefillin and Megillahs to shuls and Shluchim the world over.

He is survived by his wife, Bracha Henig, and children, Mrs. Devorah Rabinowitz – Kiryat Gat, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Henig – Jerusalem, Mrs. Shoshana (Rosa) Levkivker – Tzfas, Rabbi Tzvi Henig – Jerusalem, Mrs. Esther Yeruslavsky – Nachlas Har Chabad, Rabb Schneur Zalman Henig – Kfar Chabad, Mrs. Miriam Mishulovin – Nachlas Har Chabad, Rabbi Sholom Ber Henig – Tzfas, Rabbi Mordechai Henig – Kfar Chabad, Mrs. Gitty Hakohen – Beitar Illit, and many grandchildren.

The levaya will take place today in Jerusalem.

Baruch Dayan Ha’emes: Shlomo Aharon ben Chaim Yisroel Efraim