In a moving and uplifting ceremony, the completion and dedication of the ninth Torah scroll of the Children’s Sefer Torah took place after three years of registering Jewish children from across Eretz Yisroel for this unique Torah.

The project, dedicated entirely to children, was launched by the Rebbe in 1981 with the goal of uniting Jewish children and serving as a source of protection and blessing for the Jewish people. As has become the tradition, the Torah was dedicated on 20 Menachem Av, the yahrtzeit of the renowned Kabbalist Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe’s father.

The final letters of the Torah were completed by leading rabbinic and Chassidic figures, including Rebbes, rabbanim, roshei yeshiva, chassidim, and community leaders. The Torah united 304,805 children from around the world, who were registered through thousands of the Rebbe’s shluchim who led the campaign in their communities. Many of those honored with writing the final letters have themselves played a major role in registering children and organizing the historic event.

Following the completion of the final words, “L’einei Kol Yisrael,” the new Torah was read publicly for the first time, lifted, rolled, adorned with a magnificent crown, and then carried in a joyous procession from the Tzemach Tzedek Shul to the Kotel, accompanied by spirited singing, dancing, drums, and celebration.

At approximately 6:00 p.m., the procession arrived at the Kotel Plaza, where a beautifully decorated stage had been prepared. The new Torah was brought with great honor to the center of the stage.

After an opening round of joyous singing, including “Sisu V’Simchu B’Simchas Torah” and other lively niggunim as the crowd danced with enthusiasm, a festive Mincha service was held with a massive gathering of participants from across the country.

Tens of thousands of Jews arrived by organized buses, private vehicles, and public transportation from throughout Israel. They came from near and far, representing every background and community, viewing participation as both a privilege and an obligation despite the long journeys and intense summer heat.

The first to carry the ninth Torah at the conclusion of the ceremony was Rabbi Shmuel Greisman, a member of the committee overseeing the Children’s Sefer Torah project and one of the Rebbe’s shluchim in Eretz Yisroel, who has devotedly directed the campaign since the very first Torah. The Torah was then passed among the distinguished guests on the stage. The event was emceed by Rabbi Shneur Raskin, the Rebbe’s shliach and director of Chabad of Alfei Menashe, who also played a central role in organizing and producing the celebration.

The heart of the gathering was the recitation of the Atah Hareisa verses traditionally said before Hakafos on Simchas Torah, followed by Hakafos themselves. In keeping with the unique character of the Children’s Sefer Torah, additional elements were incorporated into the program. Among the most meaningful was the recitation of the Twelve Pesukim and Chazal’s teachings that the Rebbe selected and encouraged Jewish children to memorize by heart.

The celebration featured continuous singing and dancing, accompanied by Nemuel Harush and Simcha Friedman. During the nearly three-hour event, only four brief addresses were delivered by Kotel Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Israel’s Chief Rabbi Dovid Yosef, former Chief Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, and Rabbi Reuven Elbaz, Rosh Yeshiva of Ohr Hachaim and a member of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah.

Following the recitation of Atah Hareisa, the Hakafos continued in an uninterrupted display of pure, uplifting, and deeply moving joy. At around 9:00 p.m., the official ceremony concluded with an emotional rendition of Ani Maamin.

The new Torah was then escorted with great honor back to the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, where it now joins the eight Children’s Sifrei Torah that preceded it.

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