Maayanot Greets New Torah

By Elad Nehorai, Maayanot

It started off ceremonial, calm and dignified. The Harkham Family, represented by Mr. Uri Harkham of Los Angeles, had donated to Mayanot a new Torah scroll. Three years in the making, it was finally done. Except for a few more letters. Letters which would be completed by some of the members of the Harkham family, as well as some students chosen to represent the yeshiva.

The moment the scroll was opened, flashes flashed. People struggled to get a view. The room was abuzz with excitement. As each person was called to trace their part in the Torah, they would verbally exclaim their complete concentration and intention to write the letter along with the sofer, l’shem kedushat haSefer, for the holiness of the Torah Scroll. Their faces glowed with an energy that can only come from such a unique and special moment.

Then it was all done. Everyone had just watched a beautiful and rare Mitzvah accomplished in front of their eyes. With an exuberance that can only be felt on a day like Simchat Torah, the entire yeshiva danced with all their Torah scrolls, including the one that had just joined their families. They danced around the bimah, offered each other l’chaims and sang niggunim. After they belted out the prayers sanctifying the new Torah, they ran outside and danced in the streets. As each car would pass, the driver would stick their head out the window and kiss one of Mayanot’s Torahs.

Rather than eating only with his family, Mr. Harkham had decided he wanted to have a grand meal in Mayanot. And so, the students sat and listened as speaker after speaker, family member after family member, and rabbi after rabbi came up and spoke about how special they all were. How much they meant to G-d. And how important it was for them to create a holy place
While a yeshiva student’s life is filled with enormous growth and miraculous moments, it can sometimes be easy to forget just how special his experience is.

It is moments like this that remind him why what he is doing is so special.

The Mayanot yeshiva is grateful to Uri Harkham, his family, and everyone else who made this moment possible. And most of all, to Hashem.

May this special event help the coming of Moshiach now.