And Now Write For Yourselves • Ceremony for the Commencement of Writing the Book

Last night, Monday, Rosh Chodesh (the New Month) - 1st of Kislev, Parshat Vayetzei, a ceremony was held at the home of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days), for the commencement of writing the Book of Bamidbar (Numbers) for the elevation of the soul of the Chassidic Rabbi, Rabbi Eliyahu Meirav zt"l (of righteous memory).

As will be recalled, last year on the day of Ginusia DeMalka (the King's celebration), the writing of this Torah scroll began for the release of the hostages and for the elevation of the souls of those murdered in the terrible massacre on the day of Simchat Torah 5784. After completing the writing of the books of Bereishit (Genesis), Shemot (Exodus), and Vayikra (Leviticus), the time has now come to begin writing the book of Bamidbar (Numbers). This stage is dedicated to the memory and the elevation of the soul of the Chassidic Rabbi, Rabbi Eliyahu Meirav zt"l, who took an integral part in the merit of writing this Torah scroll for the salvation of the People of Israel.

The Rav shlit"a wrote the first letters of the Book of Bamidbar, and afterwards delivered several words of Torah regarding the weekly Torah portion and other matters. After the lesson, the Rav shlit"a poured a L'chaim (festive toast) and spoke of the greatness of the Chassidic Rabbi, Rabbi Eliyahu Meirav zt"l, in whose memory the Book of Bamidbar is being written.

Below is documentation from the ceremony: