The Story Behind a Sefer Torah from Tunisia

In 1969, a terrible decree hovered over the Jews of Tunisia. It threatened the existence of all Chabad institutions in the country, as well as possible expulsion of the shluchim. When the Rebbe was informed of the situation, he advised that Tunisian Jewry send a Sefer Torah of their own to 770 and that in this merit all Kitrugim will be annulled.

On Friday, the 22nd of Elul 5729, Erev Shabbos Parshas Nitzovim, the Sefer Torah arrived in New York with the Shlucha, Mrs. Rochel Pinson, wife of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok, and it was brought to the Rebbe’s room by Rabbi Pinson’s brother – the Gabbay of 770, Rabbi Yehoshua Pinson.

The Rebbe instructed that the sefer be checked and ensured that it is Kosher, and made sure that the word ãëà is spelled with an à, (see Hayom Yom of 7 Elul).

770 was home to many Hachnosas Sifrei Torah throughout the years, but NONE was like this one. It was a typical Friday afternoon, 770 was empty. The Rebbe suddenly walked into the big shul holding the Sefer Torah in his holy arms. The Rebbe approached the Aron Kodesh, which was opened by Rabbi Binyomin Eliyahu Gorodetzky, and put the Sefer Torah in it.

At the Shabbos Farbrengen, the Rebbe made mention of this and gave mashke to those involved.

Needless to say, all the problems of Tunisian Jewy were soon solved. ■