Safed
Police Open Synagogue With Recovered Torah Scroll!by Yehuda
SugarJuly 12, 2012 11:00 AM (as posted on //chabad.org) SAFED,
Israel – Deriving inspiration from its role in the recovery of six stolen
Torah scrolls, the Safed branch of the Israel Police has established a synagogue
in the local police station and arranged for the use of one of the scrolls belonging
to the holy city’s historic Tzemach Tzedek Synagogue. Rabbi Gavriel
Marzel, director of the Chabad-Lubavitch institution, says he was happy to loan
the Torah to the police on a trial basis for two months, especially considering
the time of year. The development comes during the three-week period preceding
the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av and the anniversary of the destruction
of both of the Holy Temples in Jerusalem. “We know that from darkness
comes the greatest light,” said Marzel, “and that the anniversary of
the Temples’ destruction will one day become the most joyous day on the calendar.
Similarly, our Torah scrolls’ theft and recovery brought about the birth
of another synagogue.” The Torahs had been discovered missing on May
5, sparking a nationwide recovery effort. They were found several days later in
an abandoned house. 
A
ceremony celebrating the arrival of the police station’s Torah scroll took
place on Monday. The dancing entourage included Safed Police Chief Ofer Kotrovich
and about 20 other officers. Another synagogue donated an ark and prayer
books for the station’s use. Marzel credited a young volunteer officer
working with the force as part of his tour of duty in the Israeli National Service
with the idea for the new synagogue. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Yehuda Sugar is a former wire service journalist from Chicago
who currently freelances for Chabad.org, AscentOfSafed.com and
other news outlets. He lives in Tsfat with his wife and four children.]
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