Chief Rabbi of France, HaRav Yosef Sitrok, has called upon
French Jewry to attend a rally for the purpose of fortifying
the link between Jews, halocho and Torah study. Tens of
thousands of Jews from all over France are expected to
participate in this event, called "Torah Day," to take place
at the end of the month at the old airport near Paris.
This is the fifth convention devoted to Torah to be held in
France. This year's theme is the strengthening of the Jewish
family according to halocho, as opposed to abhorrent
deviant ideas being supported by European governments as well
as the pro-intermarriage campaigns of the Reform.
"It will be a day without slogans, without celebrity
appearances and open to all," HaRav Sitrok says. "There will
be stands and discussions on various topics in Torah and
halocho. The topic of the family will be the focal
point of the event. This is the most crucial issue in France
today. The French parliament is forcing a new type of family
on its citizens. This is disconcerting not only to Jews, but
also to France as a whole. On Torah Day, we will spread the
message that the family remains the only framework in which
children grow up happily and are inculcated with a value
system."
At the various stalls, visitors will be invited to Shabbos
meals, shiurim and lectures. The events are meant to
illustrate the Jewish way of life according to halocho
in a practical manner.
On the eve of Torah Day, the Chief Rabbi will announce a
National Shabbos throughout France, in which Jews who are
distant from religion will be invited to religious homes.
Thousands of Jews from remote towns and villages will spend
Shabbos in religious Jewish communities in Paris and its
suburbs. "They will experience Shabbos with religious
families and discover the atmosphere of kedusha which
prevails in the homes and the synagogues. I hope they will
continue the impetus to study and to keep Shabbos
themselves."
The convention is being coordinated by volunteers from the
chareidi community and the teshuva movement. In honor
of Torah Day, the French chareidi newspaper, Kuntrass,
edited by Rav Nosson Kahn, will publish a special issue.
HaRav Kahn publishes a special magazine for French Jewish
intellectuals as well as a weekly newspaper in which he
discredits anti-chareidi propaganda. During recent years,
Torah Day has proven to be a unique event, at which masses of
Jews -- religious as well as those distant from religion --
come together.
