In video: A Torah book was placed in memory of the soldiers in the central synagogue in Rome/PR
Since the introduction of the Torah book to mark the 40th anniversary of the murder and uplifting of the soul of the toddler Michael Stefano Guy Tashi, the 14th, who was murdered by terrorists who threw hand grenades at worshipers leaving the synagogue for Simchat Torah and injured 37 of them, the community of Rome has not seen such an emotional occasion.
At the end of Purim, the community held a Sefer Torah reading for the soldiers who were killed in Israel's 14th wars.
The 250-year-old ancient book of the Torah, which was conceived and renovated by the Jewish community of Rome, was brought into the main synagogue by a large crowd in an event of great joy mixed with sadness, after it was decided to dedicate the ancient book to their memory and to the martyrs of Israel's systems, especially the soldiers who fell during the 14th Operation 'Iron Swords'.
Joy mingled with joy and blood touched blood.
The Torah book that belongs to the Jewish community and the ravages of time have left its mark on it has been restored and made readable by the scribe Rabbi David Sassa. At the time of bringing the Torah book into the magnificent hall, five and five members of bereaved families from the 'Iron Swords' war associated with the "Or for Families" organization who came to Rome especially to participate At the exciting event. "Our community receives a delegation of bereaved families every year during the days of Purim and tries to express comfort, partnership in grief and bearing the burden and brotherhood.
This year, unfortunately, the number of losses is terrible, the bereaved parents have multiplied and the burden is heavy," said Rabbi of Rome Rabbi Shmuel di Sagni - Vice President of the 'Conference of Rabbis of Europe', in his special message.
A special speech was given by the president of the community Victor Padlon.
"There is a tradition in the Jewish community to host bereaved families from the United States on Purim, and even though the Torah book was supposed to be ready for Lage B'Omer and be brought in then, in light of the difficult situation, we decided to do everything possible to speed up the completion of the revision of the book, so that the bereaved parents could participate in the event "The special one for the souls of their loved ones," explained the contributors Alberto Miali and Georgia Calo.
The writing of the last letters took place in an emotional ceremony in the yard of the Jewish school by the members of the families and headed by the Rabbi to Rome and the heads of the community. From there the ancient Torah book covered in a coat was taken A gold crown is decorated with special designs and splendor according to the place and the crowd. The excited procession passed through the streets of the Jewish ghetto with singing and dancing, when the book is accompanied by the parents who held in their hands other ancient books that have a magnificent appearance, including the Torah book Thol al-Ma'ayl that was inserted two years ago for the baby who was injured in the hostilities.
The voices of singing accompanied by the playing of a baritone saxophone echoed with happy-sad sounds in the alleys.
The feet were shaking, but the eyes of all the community members, from a boy to an old man who came to take part in the event, shed tears along with the parents.
A Torah scroll was placed in memory of the soldiers in the central synagogue in Rome/the Jewish community in Rome
A Torah scroll was placed in memory of the soldiers in the central synagogue in Rome/the Jewish community in Rome
The singing voices of the children of the Jewish middle school under the direction of Rabbi Alberto Funaro vibrated the heartstrings and filled the huge space of the Tempio Maggiore synagogue, which was illuminated by dozens of huge lamps with a precious yellow and warm light. The building of the great synagogue is about one hundred and twenty years old, and it is one the most spectacular of the synagogues in the world. The building, which is also decorated on its exterior, was built in a very special style on the banks of the Tiber River and therefore stands out from afar. The square dome of the building is the only one in Rome, and it can be seen from all parts of the city and even received special lighting. The main hall of the synagogue rises tens of meters high and is used for prayer according to the custom of Italian Jews dating back to the days of the First Temple. The Ark of the Covenant and the Eastern Wall, which are made of marble carvings, are spectacular in their beauty and astonishing in their height. The resonance of the synagogue is also unique, and as the sound of singing rose and spread throughout the huge space, hearts skipped a beat
. A men's choir and the whole audience accompanied them, a special verse with an exciting and heart-shaking melody that opens with the words "Your enemies will be destroyed."
This is the day of Klal Yisrael's prayer, that despite the geographical distance, everyone is united in trouble to pour out a prayer and the sorrow of the individual is the sorrow of the whole.
At such a difficult time, we all pray that "he who makes peace in his high places will make peace for us and for all Israel", said the rabbi of Rome.
In his moving words in the ears of those present, Rabbi Di Saini emphasized that "the heart of every synagogue is the Ark of the Covenant where the books of the Torah are placed. The book of the Torah we keep at every vigil and decorate it with fabrics and precious metals, silver and gold. The book was written by an expert scribe on parchment, carefully , because if you miss one letter or miss one letter, it destroys the whole world. We preserve and care for it with devotion, love and determination, because the Holy Torah is the center of our lives and our faith and the essence of our history as a people. But over time the parchment wears out and the writing fades and we have to bring new books or to correct and restore the ancient ones. But the letters and the content are forever, when we learn and observe the Torah mitzvahs. It is true that the Torah is ancient, but it is also always new, vital and up-to-date, forever and ever. And since the candle of God is the soul of Adam and the candle of the mitzvah and the Torah is light, there is no more correct way To light a soul candle - a fourth candle for a person's soul and 'Torah light' and burn its light in hearts," said the rabbi of Rome.
David Berger, in collaboration with Shuba Israel
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