This year, Tishrei was a very busy time in Moldova. The shuls run by the Jewish Federation of Moldova – Chabad-Lubavitch under the leadership of Chabad emissary Rabbi Zalman Abelsky held services throughout the High Holy Days. The Four Species were brought to Jews around the country, and mobile sukkahs were driven around the capital. Local Jews participated in farbrengens and Simchat Beit Hashoeiva celebrations, culminating in the festival of Simchat Torah. Click here to view full gallery
Here is a roundup of Tishrei events:
Schoolchildren learn about the festivals
The students at Chabad-Lubavitch schools in the Moldovan capital, Kishinev, learned about the month of Tishrei, its customs, and the significance of the festivals. Chabad volunteers visited the schools and guided the staff on how to explain the nature and meaning of Tishrei in Judaism and Chassidic philosophy.
Rosh Hashana prayers in the shuls in Moldova
Thousands of Moldovan Jews participated in prayer services in Chabad shuls on Rosh Hashanah. In Kishinev, the shul was full of people, who came to hear the blowing of the shofar and attend the Yizkor prayer for their departed loved ones. High attendances were also reported at other shuls belonging to the Jewish Federation of Moldova – Chabad-Lubavitch throughout Moldova.
Traditional “Lekach” Distributed in Kishinev
On erev Yom Kippur, Chief Rabbi Zalman Abelsky followed the traditional custom of giving a piece of honey cake, or lekach, to worshippers, school children, and Israeli students currently attending university in Kishinev. The members of the community also performed the custom of kapparot and gave charity.
Yom Kippur in Kishinev
Hundreds of Jews attended the shul in Kishinev on Yom Kippur. For some of them, it was the very first time they had observed Yom Kippur. Hundreds of women and girls lit candles on the night of Yom Kippur, while the men kindled memorial lights. During the day, hundreds of people attended prayer services, following with prayer-books that had been translated into Russian and were distributed at the entrance, along with skullcaps for the men. The prayers were recited by Rabbi Abelsky and guest shluchim Rabbi Zeev Wolman and Rabbi Moshe Nachshon, both of whom flew in from Israel.
Yom Kippur in other parts of Moldova
Many Jews flocked to shuls throughout Moldova and Transnistria, praying for a good and successful New Year.
Sukkot
Four Species for all
Representatives from Jewish communities and cities around Moldova came to Jewish communities throughout the country to receive the four species and leaflets about Sukkot, while packages of the four species and festival literature were sent especially to Jews living in more remote areas.
Sukkahs in Kishinev
As well as the main sukkah that was put up in the courtyard of Kishinev’s Great Synagogue, a special staff built sukkahs at the homes of members of the community who only drink and eat in the sukkah over Sukkot in accordance with the Chabad custom. Additional sukkahs were constructed at schools and other Jewish centers.
Mobile sukkahs
Throughout Sukkot, including Chol Hamoed, many Jews were given the opportunity of blessing the four species, whether at shul, in the shopping centers, or in Jewish-run businesses. Mobile sukkahs also brought this mitzvah to many Jews, who also enjoyed some refreshments. Chabad volunteers, yeshiva students, shluchim, and shluchot all took part in this particular mitzvah campaign.
Havdalah in the sukkah in Kishinev
After the first two days of Sukkot, Havdalah was recited in the main sukkah in the center of Kishinev, in the courtyard of the Great Synagogue. This was after hundreds of people had reciting the blessings on the four species during the day in the sukkah. Thousands more also did the mitzvah and listened to Torah speeches given by Chabad volunteers around the city. Many enjoyed communal festive meals provided by Chabad of Moldova.
Simchat Beit Hashoeiva Celebrations in Kishinev
Every night of Sukkah, a Simchat Beit Hashoeiva celebration was held, commemorating the famous “water-drawing” ceremony in the Holy Temple. It took place in the courtyard of the Great Synagogue, with much lively dancing and singing. Young children recited the traditional Twelve Verses. Refreshments were served in the sukkah, giving the participants the opportunity to do the mitzvah of eating there.
Three meals a day
Every day throughout Chol Hamoed, three meals were served, as they are throughout the year. But over Sukkot, the recipients of the hot meals, which are provided by Chabad of Kishinev’s welfare center, also observed the mitzvah of eating in the sukkah. Shluchim, Chabad volunteers, and yeshiva students gave them and the other visitors to the sukkah the opportunity to recite the blessings on the four species. Communal meals were also served on the festival itself in various locations around Kishinev.
Activities for women in Moldova
A farbrengen and sukkah party for women was held in Kishinev this year. The participants heard about the significance of Sukkot from Rabbi Zalman Abelsky, who also drank a lechaim with them from a bottle of wine he had once received from the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The women also watched a video of the Rebbe and reciting the blessing on the four species.
Four species for Israeli students in Kishinev
Israeli students currently studying at Kishinev’s medical school attended services at the Great Synagogue over Tishrei, as well as the Simchat Beit Hashoeiva celebrations. Dozens of students also enjoyed festive meals in sukkahs built by Chabad-Lubavitch of Kishinev and observed the mitzvah of reciting the blessing on the four species.
Chol Hamoed
Services were held at the Great Synagogue over Chol Hamoed and Hoshana Rabbah, attracting many worshippers.
Simchat Torah
On Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, the Great Synagogue was full to overflowing. Traditional farbrengens were held, with lively dancing during hakafot. These two days were a very special experience for everyone who attended, feeling the joy of the Torah and the beginning of the weekly Torah cycle once again.
