By COLlive reporter
In March of 2021, Congregation Beth Israel in Schenectady, New York, wished to donate a 100-year-old Sefer Torah to the U.S. military. The Aleph Institute, a nonprofit which serves people in isolated environments including the military, stepped in to negotiate the transfer.
“We had to work through complex military channels to get it done,” explains Rabbi Moshe Lans, a U.S. Army chaplain endorsed by Aleph. “I couldn’t just accept a gift on behalf of the U.S. military. Instead, the Torah was donated to the U.S. Military through Aleph. Aleph appointed me as its custodian as long as I am in active duty. Once I retire, they will designate another chaplain to ensure its proper care and usage.”
Once the Torah was in Aleph’s possession, it was not yet fit for use. It had been collecting dust for decades in the back of a synagogue and was considered possul.
Rabbi Elie Estrin, U.S. Air Force Chaplain and the Aleph Institute’s Military Personnel Liaison, hired R’ Natan Katz, a professional Sofer, to gently and precisely restore each faded letter. At the end of July 2022, the restoration of the Torah was completed. The Torah will soon be transported to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, where Rabbi Lans now serves as chaplain.
“The Torah itself notes the importance of spirit, ideals, and motivation in battle. This is represented by the fact that a Jewish king is instructed to have a Torah scroll with him especially when he went out to war,” says Rabbi Estrin.
“The Sefer Torah symbolizes that while soldiers have a duty to fight, they must always remain true to their Godly and ethical codes. There is something incredibly powerful about the fact that this Torah now belongs to soldiers fighting for the United States of America, where it will serve as an eternal reminder of our sacred values.”
“I am honored to be entrusted with the care of the Sefer Torah,” says Rabbi Lans. “I pray it will bring many souls in the military closer to our Creator.”
To help cover the costs of restoring the Sefer Torah, donate at https://aleph-institute.org/military/donate/
Mazel Tov, Rabbi Lans