A group of kids playing in a deserted house in the old city of Safed was surprised to uncover an unexpected treasure of six Torah scrolls hidden under piles of sheets and blankets.
The boys told their parents about their discovery, who called the police. After a short investigation, the police linked the stash to a reported theft from the Chabad "Tsemach Tsedek" synagogue, one week earlier. The books' worth is estimated at hundreds of thousands of shekels.
The stolen bibles (Photo: Chabad website, Shturem.net)
The synagogue's manager, Gabriel Marzel, was called to the house to identify the scrolls, and was thrilled to realize the precious bibles had been found. "I am happy and thankful to the world's creator for this miracle," said Marzel in an interview to Chabad website shturem.net. "We were in great distress. Finding the scrolls is huge relief."
The boys next to the abandoned house (Photo: Chabad website, Shturem.net)
After the police gathered evidence relevant for the investigation, the books were returned to the synagogue. The Police said that although the Torah scrolls were returned, the investigation will continue, in the hopes of finding the thieves.
Safed Mayor Ilan Shohat congratulated the boys for their good citizenship, and said he hopes the police will capture the bandits.