Torah Scroll Celebration with Rockets Exploding Above

Residents of the southern city of Ashkelon didn’t let a few rockets spoil the dedication of a new Torah scroll Sunday by Chai Ashkelon Institute.

Ashkelon is situated just 13 miles north of the Gaza Strip, and residents have just seconds to seek shelter after hearing the Code Red warning sirens. But amid the music and noise of the loud and typically boisterous celebration it appears that many either did not hear the sirens or simply carried on dancing regardless.

While many can be seen running for shelter, others stayed and witnessed the Iron Dome missile defense system shoot down incoming rockets.

In Jewish tradition the dedication of a new Torah scroll (Hachnasat Sefer Torah) is seen as a celebration akin to a wedding – hence the scroll is accompanied by the people of the community under a chupa, or wedding canopy of sorts.

Read the full Israel National News article here.