Torah Scrolls Destroyed in Rocket Attack Buried in Beit Shemesh

Community leaders, families of victims, and synagogue trustees gathered in Beit Shemesh on Sunday for the burial of Torah scrolls that were burned in a rocket attack. The "Tiferet Yisrael" synagogue was completely destroyed in the incident, which occurred during Operation "Iron Swords." The new building is nearing completion and is expected to open for worshippers before the High Holidays.

Among those present were Beit Shemesh Mayor Shmuel Greenberg, Councilman Nati Gabai, and Ziyon Revach, who had donated one of the Torah scrolls and lost his son, Gabriel Baruch, in the attack. Revach spoke of the difficult day, comparing the burial of the Torah scroll to the pain of losing his son. He expressed solace in the rebuilding of the synagogue, seeing it as a symbol of resilience and recovery.

Mayor Greenberg acknowledged the sorrowful burial of the scrolls, which were consumed by fire when a rocket hit the city. He reiterated that the synagogue is undergoing reconstruction and will be ready for the upcoming holidays, quoting a traditional prayer for the end of a difficult year and the beginning of a blessed one.

Councilman Gabai described the event as closing another painful chapter in the city's history, noting that for Ziyon Revach, this was a second burial after losing his son. He added that the temporary synagogue is being rebuilt, serving as an interim step towards a permanent structure and the return of the community to their place of worship.