By Y.M. Lowy

Significant news is spreading across the Skvere Chassidim as an ancient Sefer Torah with a direct link to the Chernobyl dynasty is set to be presented to the Skverer Rebbe at an upcoming chagiga.

This historic Sefer Torah is over 150 years old and originally belonged to Reb Aharon of Chernobyl, the eldest of the eight holy sons of the Chernobyler Maggid, and has been treasured for over 150 years. It was passed down through generations of Chernobyl rebbes and was carried out of the city during the violent pogroms in Russia in 1919.

In recent years, the small, rare Sefer Torah resurfaced and came into the possession of Harav Yitzchak Meir Twersky of Queens, a descendant of the Chernobyl family. After careful verification of its history, it was confirmed to be the original Sefer Torah of Reb Aharon of Chernobyl. The Skverer Rebbe reportedly invested large sums to have it carefully restored by an expert sofer.

The Sefer Torah is unusually small, measuring only about four inches. 

Now, ahead of a large Skverer chagiga scheduled for Motzei Shabbos Shekalim, marking a year of leining a Sefer Torah given in last year, the historic Sefer Torah has been purchased by the donor R’ Nochum Zalman Rokach and will be presented as a gift to the Skverer Rebbe, whose lineage traces back to Reb Aharon of Chernobyl.

The presentation is expected to take place during the chagiga, making it a major moment for Skver chassidim.