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Monday, May 22, 2006

New Torah to arrive amid celebration

Times Staff Report

MUNSTER | Another link in the 3,300-year chain of Jewish tradition will be added as Chabad of Northwest Indiana welcomes its new Torah scroll here on May 29.

The scroll, containing the Five Books of Moses handwritten on parchment, is one of the most scared objects in Judaism. The Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which begins this year on June 2, marks the day that God spoke to the Jewish people on Mt. Sinai in the year 1313 B.C. and gave them the commandments of the Torah. The Torah has been written and produced in the same manner ever since.

The specific scroll being purchased for Chabad has its roots in Eastern Europe and has spent the last three decades in Jerusalem. It being restored by a professional scribe, and once done, is considered, according to Halachah (Jewish Law), a brand new Torah.

The ceremony will begin at Grove Park in Munster, behind Munster Town Hall, at 11 a.m. May 29, where the scribe will complete the final touches on the Scroll. The Torah will then be led in a parade-style procession from the park to Chabad on Ridge Road, where the Torah will be welcomed with singing, dancing and celebration.

The scribe will also be giving an educational presentation for those interested in learning how a Torah is produced.

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