A large crowd participated in a joyous ceremony that welcomed a new Sefer Torah to the Chabad Israeli Center of Atlanta at 4276 Chamblee Dunwoody Road in Brookhaven on Sunday.
Shluchim Rabbi Menachem and Liba Gurary and Rabbi Alexander and Esty Piekarski invited community members to participate in writing the final letters on the scroll which is fashioned according to Sephardic tradition.
The new Torah was dedicated in memory of Ehud (Udi) Morgenstern OBM, a beloved member of the community who passed away a few months ago. His family members flew in from Israel to participate in the celebration. A local sofer stam Rabbi Ariel Asa directed participants in writing the final letters in the Torah.
Rabbi Gurary noted how writing a Torah is the final Mitzvah and one that every Jew should be part of. “Our rabbis taught that one can fulfill this Mitzvah by dedication a portion or even a single letter in the Torah,” he said.
With the letters fully written, the new Torah was taken outdoors to a procession that included singing and dancing, joined by local rabbis and Shluchim. It was followed by a festive meal during which words of Torah and inspiration were shared.
If holding the feather Together with the Sofer – is considered Writing how can a female hold it and if it is Not considered Writing then why give the impression to Males that they are involved in the writing by holding the feather ?!! I am not commenting on the Very Concept of any other issues involved or which may be involved in this Holding situation.