The 613th commandment written in the torah in Deuteronomy commands that every Jewish person should possess a Torah (Jewish code of laws).
“If he writes it with his own hand, Scripture considers it as if he had received it from Mount Sinai. If he cannot write it himself, he is obliged to purchase one, or to hire a scribe who will write it for him,” wrote ancient Jewish scholar Maimonides.
Dr. Bernardo and his wife, Dr. Gladys Hirschman fulfilled this commandment last Sunday at the dedication of a Torah to Chabad Lubavitch of Fort Lauderdale.
“I am doing this because we are commanded to do it and for those that cannot afford to do it,” Hirschman said.
Surrounded by their children and grandchildren and more than 100 Broward County residents, many from the Galt Ocean Mile area, where Chabad Lubavitch of Fort Lauderdale is located, the couple rejoiced in the completion of the Jewish book of laws.
This was the second time the Hirschmans have donated a completed Torah to a synagogue.
“The first Torah was given to American Friends of Lubavitch, our synagogue in Washington D.C. where we live part of the year,” said Dr. Gladys Hirschman. “It was when it was my husband’s 70th birthday and I was going to make him a big party that would cost a lot of money. He said let’s have a scribe write a Torah and donate it to our synagogue instead.”
Rabbi Levy Shem Tov of the American Friends of Lubavitch of Washington D.C. came to Fort Lauderdale for the dedication of the second Torah.
“The Torah the Hirschmans dedicated to our synagogue seven years ago has been an inspiration to many who have been called up to the bimah to read from it,” said Shem Tov.
The Torah is the ninth Torah donated to Chabad Lubavitch of Fort Lauderdale.
“We use two Torahs on the Sabbath and three on Jewish holidays that occur on the Sabbath,” said Nina Naparstek, pre-school director of Chabad Lubavitch of Fort Lauderdale. “We also loan our Torahs to our other Chabad centers on Las Olas, downtown, Harbour Beach and in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.
Rabbi Moishe Meir Lipszyc, spiritual leader of Chabad Lubavitch said that a 10th Torah is in the process of being written.
“We plan to dedicate it in honor of my son, Menachem Mendel,” Lipszyc said.
Torah scribe Daniel Cyper, flew in from Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the completed Torah scroll. Members attending the Torah inauguration ceremony and celebration at Southpoint condominium on Galt Ocean Mile had the opportunity to have a letter written in the scroll by the scribe.
Participants enjoyed refreshments and music. When the Torah was completed the band of worshippers accompanied by a musician playing an accordion, marched with the document across Galt Ocean Mile to the synagogue where they enjoyed a festive luncheon.
“This is a beautiful occasion,” said Irene Brenner, a resident of the Galleon on Galt Ocean Mile.
“Rabbi Lipszyc has made a welcoming home for Jews in this area,” said Dr. Bernardo Hirschman.” “When my wife and I started coming here 20 years ago, the services were in a small storefront facility and since that time, the synagogue has grown and offers many activities for Jews in this area. “I am glad to donate this Torah and to help Chabad Lubavitch to continue to flourish in this area.”
