Haifa residents were shocked by a fire that consumed
sifrei kodesh in the city's Ohel Moshe-Shatz Vishnitz
Synagogue. The fire on Shabbos parshas Vayeitzei was
miraculously extinguished before reaching the sifrei
Torah.
Ohel Moshe worshipers arriving on Shabbos morning for
shacharis saw thick smoke emerging from the
synagogue. Rushing inside, they discovered that the
sifrei kodesh were on fire. Neighbors called the fire
department and the sifrei Torah were rescued.
The initial investigation indicates that vandals broke into
the synagogue through window in the lavatories. They first
tried to crack open the tzedoko boxes. But when they
discovered that they were empty, they vented their anger on
the synagogue's book shelves. Haifa police are investigating
the incident.
The arson shocked Haifa residents. Rosh yeshiva and rav of
the synagogue, HaRav Menachem Dovid Hagar, labeled the deed,
"a contemptible act of vandalism." He said that by damaging
kodshei Yisroel and burning sacred books the vandals
have lost their humanity. "This deed not only shocks
religious and chareidi Jews, but shocks every human being,
regardless of his religious affiliation. The burning of
sifrei kodesh is a deed that most be condemned."
The synagogue, centrally located on Herzl Street near
Haifa's Central Synagogue, was reopened immediately amidst
the repairs, in order to enable its kollel students
to continue their studies. Police have yet to decide if the
vandalism was committed because of criminal or nationalistic
motives.
