Makova Rebbe Serves as Sandek on Historic Chair at Grandchild’s Bris in Bnei Brak

In Bnei Brak's Makova synagogue, a joyous bris ceremony was held this morning for the great-grandchild of the esteemed Makova Gaavad (Chief Rabbi), the infant son of Rabbi Natan Netta Lemberger, grandson of Rabbi Faivush Lemberger, and son-in-law of Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Lemberger, the current Makova Av Beit Din in Bnei Brak. The event was marked by special emotion as the Gaavad Makova honored the ceremony by serving as sandek (the person who holds the baby during circumcision) while seated on an ancient chair brought from the town of Makova in Hungary.

This historic chair, over a century old, was used by the holy Baal Ohel Moshe during the bris of the Makova Gaavad himself. It was carefully dismantled in Hungary and reassembled in Israel through a special operation led by the Makova Hasidic community. Among those involved was the late Hasid Rabbi Betzalel Dim, who passed away last month. The chair is kept near the synagogue and is occasionally brought out for bris ceremonies held there.

It is noted that while the Makova community center in Kiryat Ata also has an old chair about 70 years old, this chair in Bnei Brak is significantly older, with a history exceeding 100 years. Besides the Gaavad’s honored role as sandek, other respected elders of the infant also participated in the ceremony. Following the bris, the attendees gathered for a celebratory meal in the synagogue’s study hall.