Firefighter Rescues Sacred Torah from Burning Synagogue

A firefighter from Long Island recently rescued a sacred Sefer Torah from a burning Chabad, downplaying his actions as nothing extraordinary. Michael Farka, 54, insists he was simply following his training and claims, “I’m not a hero.”

Local residents have likened him to an action star for his bravery, but Farka believes he was just fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. “I knew I had to see the Torah inside and put it out, that was it,” he explained.

Hailing from Roslyn Heights, Farka rushed into the smoke-filled building to check for flames and ensure there were no people trapped inside. After some tense moments, he emerged holding the sacred scroll, bringing tears to the eyes of onlookers.

Farka, who identifies as Jewish, wasn’t even aware that the building was a synagogue when he responded to the call. Upon entering the Greenvale Strip Mall, he was surprised to find himself in a place of worship engulfed in flames.

“I ran over to the Ark and opened it to see if the Torah was there,” he recalled. “I grabbed it and went outside.” He described the experience of saving the Torah as “surprising,” especially considering it occurred just a day after the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which commemorates the receiving of the law at Mount Sinai three thousand years ago.

“If you think we’re celebrating the Torah on Mount Sinai three thousand years ago, here I have a risk of damage before me or even worse, the Torah. It’s incredible,” Farka noted.

The sacred scroll was eventually returned to the Chabad congregation unharmed, though the building itself is no longer operational. “The Torah is more than a book, it is our hearts and soul,” said congregant Yuri Davidoff, expressing gratitude for the miraculous rescue.

Farka wants people to understand he is just a typical first responder, someone who hopes to inspire others to make a difference in their communities. “My hope is that I inspired someone. I want to encourage them to stand up and do something for the community,” he said. “I want people to do selfless things that allow them to give back to their community, their neighbors, everyone in a selfless way.”