The Coronavirus pandemic has shaken the world and brought it to its knees. This has affected every part of our lives. As we know that Hashem has a hand in everything, we look to guidance in the stories of our Tzaddikim for ways that we can respond spiritually.
In the times of the holy Baal Shem Tov (the founder of Chassidism), a terrible disease swept through his town of Mezibush. Men, women and children were falling ill to the epidemic.
Out of desperation, the community leaders turned to the Baal Shem Tov and asked him to Daven (pray) that the plague be banished from their midst.
The Baal Shem Tov responded that the annulment of the decree was in their hands. Only by uniting together in the creation of a new Torah scroll, he explained, would the town be spared. Those who still had their health sprang into action and began raising the funds to commission a new Torah. The Baal Shem Tov instructed his personal Sofer (ritual scribe) to begin writing this Torah. Miraculously, as the Torah was written, the community began to heal. This scroll became known as the “Miracle Sefer Torah.”
It says that Hashem sends the "cure before the illness". Just over a year ago, we started writing two new Torahs for the Reno and Incline Village Jewish communities. Several local families put up the funds to get this project off the ground. The Torahs' are currently being written by a scribe in Israel.
When we heard this story, we realized that we find ourselves in identical times. Inspired by the Baal Shem Tov’s direction, we are dedicating our two new Torahs for the continued health of our entire community, and the healing of all those affected by the coronavirus. The Lubavitcher Rebbe always requested that Torah scrolls be written to unite all Jewish people and that each and every Jew acquire a letter in these Torah scrolls. Heeding to this mandate, we are inviting the entire Northern Nevada Jewish community to unite by taking part in the writing of these unity Torahs with the dedication of a letter. Men, women and children can participate in this holy mitzvah by purchasing their own letter with a contribution of any amount. In the merit of this, may we overcome this painful time in our history and usher in a safer world with the completion of the new Sefer Torahs. We look forward to the day when we can all gather together and celebrate their completion and welcome these Torahs to our community.
Purchase your letter here. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated.
Let us join together with the writings of these Torahs to storm the heavens and eradicate this virus from our midst.
Rabbi Mendel and Sarah Cunin
Join us as we write two new Torahs, for Reno and Incline Village.