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With the approach of 25 Cheshvan, Klal Yisroel is mourning anew the loss of the now five kedoshei elyon who were murdered on that tragic day. For talmidim of Yeshivas Toras Moshe in particular, where Harav Mosheh Twersky, hy”d, served as Maggid Shiur, the date brings special significance, as a new Sefer Torah is completed to mark the first yahrzeit of a beloved Rebbi.

Less than three weeks after the tragedy, when the immediacy of the pain was still searing in everyone’s hearts, Harav Moshe Meiselman, Rosh Yeshivas Toras Moshe, announced the project of a Kesivas Sefer Torah l’ilui nishmas Rav Twersky at the Yeshiva’s annual Dinner in NY. Several months later, at a Siyum Hashas l’ilui nishmas Rav Twersky in Yerushalayim, talmidim watched with great emotion as the first few lines of the new Sefer Torah were written by an expert sofer. The Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Meiselman, spoke about how a Sefer Torah symbolizes our connection to Hashem Yisborach, and how Rav Mosheh Twersky, who personified kedushas haTorah, also connected his talmidim to Hakadosh Boruch Hu. This Sefer Torah, the Rosh HaYeshiva concluded, will be a most fitting way of eternalizing Rav Twersky’s memory in the Yeshiva’s bais medrash.

Rabbi Mayer Rosenblum of Toras Moshe, at the helm of the Sefer Torah project, comments, “We have been aiming to produce a Sefer Torah in a way that Harav Twersky would have wanted it, with all the chumros he would have desired. Rav Twersky wished to write his own personal Sefer Torah, to fulfill the mitzvah of Kisvu Lachem; he put money aside especially for this lofty purpose, but unfortunately it was stolen. We are working with a long list of the chumros that his family and acquaintances have suggested he would have wanted.”

The Siyum Sefer Torah will take place at the Yeshivas Toras Moshe Dinner on Sunday, November 22 at the Ateres Avrohom hall in Brooklyn, in conjunction with Harav Twersky’s first yahrzeit. It will be held in the presence of Rav Mosheh’s wife tbl”ch, Rebbetzin Bashi Twersky, and his son, Harav Refoel Twersky, who lives in Lakewood, NJ.

The Siyum Sefer Torah will take place after a memorial tribute to Rav Twersky. This will include addresses by the Rosh HaYeshiva and Harav Refoel Twersky, and memories of Rav Twersky by his talmidim.

“We are looking forward to the completion of the Sefer Torah,” concludes Rabbi Rosenblum, “and bringing zechusim to our Rebbe’s holy neshama from the makom Torah where he gave so much to his talmidim.”

To participate in the Siyum Sefer Torah, please visit www.torasmoshesefertorah.org.