Latest news with #SeferTorah
New York Post
a day ago
- General
- New York Post
Long Island firefighter who heroically saved Torah from fire brushes off praise: ‘I'm no hero'
The Long Island firefighter who saved a sacred Sefer Torah from a burning Chabad on Wednesday said he was no 'super hero' and was just doing what he was trained to do. Firefighter Michael Farca, 54, was compared to a Hollywood action star by Greenvale residents for his heroic and holy rescue — but insists he was simply in the right place at the right time. 'I'm no hero,' Farca told The Post. 3 A sacred Sefer Torah was saved from a fire that happened inside a synagogue in Greenvale on Wednesday. Google Maps 'I saw the Torah inside and knew I had to get it out. That's it. The 70 other first responders who were there alongside me deserve just as much praise as I'm getting.' Farca, of Roslyn Heights, ran into the smoke-filled building as flames raged inside to make sure no one was inside and that is when he saw the Torah. Moments later, after clearing the building, he emerged out of the smoke holding the sacred scroll — a dramatic scene that brought some faithful witnesses to tears. Farca — who is Jewish — said he responded to the call as he would've any other, completely unaware that the building he was headed to was a synagogue. After breaking through the door in the Greenvale strip mall, Farca was caught by surprise as he realized that he was inside a house of worship — spotting the ark where the scroll is usually stored. 3 Firefighter Michael Farca, 54, from Roslyn Heights, came to the rescue to save the Torah from being burned, as he told The Post, 'I saw the Torah inside and knew I had to get it out. That's it.' Chabad of Greenvale 3 The Torah that was saved by Farca. Igor Shamalov 'I ran up to the ark and opened it to see if the Torah was in there, and sure enough, there it was,' Farca said. 'I embraced it, and took it outside.' Farca described the feeling of saving the Torah that morning as 'remarkable,' especially because the rescue came just a day after the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which celebrates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai 3,000 years ago. 'To think that we're celebrating the Torah on Mount Sinai 3,000 years ago, and here I have a Torah in front of me that is in danger of damage or worse — it's an incredible thing,' Farca said. The sacred scroll was ultimately returned to members of the Chabad completely unscathed — though the building is no longer being operational. 'The Torah is more than a book, it's our heart and soul,' congregant Yuriy Davydov said. 'Seeing it carried out safely felt like a miracle.' But the message that Farca wants people to take away is that he is just a regular first responder, and that anybody can make an impact if they choose. 'My hope, really, is that I've inspired someone, I would like to inspire them to get up and do something for their community,' he said. 'I want people to do something selfless that allows them to give back to their community, to their neighbor, to whomever, in a selfless manner.'
New York Post
2 days ago
- General
- New York Post
Jewish firefighter runs into burning Long Island Chabad, pulls Torah out as crowd prays outside: ‘A miracle'
A Long Island firefighter ran into a burning Chabad to save a sacred Sefer Torah from the flames on Tuesday — as members of the local Jewish community raced to the scene in prayer. Firefighter Michael Farca, who is Jewish, ran into the Chabad of Greenville to save the sacred religious scroll shortly after a fire tore through the building at about 7 a.m. Farca emerged with the Torah from the smoke-filled doors like a super hero in a movie scene, said Chabad member Igor Shamlov — who said the hero didn't have as much as a scratch on him — or the Torah — in a symbolic moment that brought the crowd to tears, Shamalov said. 3 Farca ran into the Chabad of Greenville to save the sacred religious scroll shortly after a fire tore through the building. Chabad of Greenvale 'The Torah scroll, for us, is priceless,' Shamalov told The Post, — adding that the faithful crowd erupted in tears at the sight. 'It is like saving a human life.' He explained that for the past two days, they have been celebrating Shavuot, which is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the Torah, making the scroll's rescue even more faith-confirming to him and others. The building was scorched, prayer books soaked and blackened, and much of the sanctuary left in ruins — but the Torah survived, which was enough for some to feel optimistic. 'The Torah is more than a book, it's our heart and soul,' said congregant Yuriy Davidov. 'Seeing it carried out safely felt like a miracle.' 3 The building was scorched, prayer books soaked and blackened, and much of the sanctuary was left in ruins. Google Maps Fire departments from across Nassau rushed to the scene around 7 a.m. and managed to stop the blaze from completely gutting the structure. Crews stayed on site for hours hosing down hot spots and assessing the damage. No injuries are reported, and the cause of the blaze is still under investigation, according to first responders. 3 Fire departments from across Nassau rushed to the scene around 7 a.m. Facebook Members said the synagogue suffered damage but not defeat — and that they're already planning to rebuild, calling the Torah's rescue a sign that their faith is stronger than ever. But until the rebuild is complete, Shamalov said they are looking for a new, temporary home to worship.
