On a recent Wednesday, a courageous firefighter from Long Island, Michael Farca, took quick action to save a sacred Sefer Torah from a burning Chabad synagogue in Greenvale. Although many hailed him as a hero, Farca remained humble, insisting he was simply doing his job.
At 54 years old, Farca is a seasoned firefighter, trained to respond effectively in emergencies. When he heard the call regarding the blaze, he knew he had to act swiftly. “I’m no hero,” he remarked thoughtfully. “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.”
When he entered the smoke-filled building, his first priority was to ensure no one was trapped inside. That’s when he spotted the Torah, a symbol of faith for many. After ensuring the building was clear, Farca emerged carrying the sacred scroll, a poignant scene that visibly moved onlookers.
As a member of the Jewish community, Farca felt a deep connection to the Torah. He responded to the emergency without initially realizing he was heading to a house of worship. After breaking into the Chabad located in a strip mall, he saw the ark where the Torah is kept. “I ran up to the ark and opened it to see if the Torah was in there, and sure enough, there it was,” he shared. “I embraced it and took it outside.”
Rescuing the Torah held special significance for Farca, especially since it occurred just a day after the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which commemorates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai over 3,000 years ago. “To think that we’re celebrating the Torah, and here I have a Torah in front of me that is in danger of damage or worse — it’s an incredible thing,” he reflected.
The Chabad congregation was relieved to receive the Torah back, completely unharmed, although the building suffered extensive damage and will not reopen. Congregant Yuriy Davydov expressed the importance of the scroll, saying, “The Torah is more than a book; it’s our heart and soul. Seeing it carried out safely felt like a miracle.”
Farca wishes to send a message that anyone can make a difference in their community, just as he did that day. He believes in the importance of selflessness and community service. “My hope, really, is that I’ve inspired someone,” he said earnestly. “I would like to inspire them to get up and do something for their community, to their neighbor, to whomever, in a selfless manner.”
In a society where the news often highlights negativity, stories like Farca’s remind us of the good that people can do when they act on their principles. True heroism might not always involve flashy rescues or dramatic confrontations; sometimes, it is simply about being in the right place at the right time and taking action based on a moral compass.
Farca’s story urges us all to reflect on what it means to serve and protect our communities. It serves as a call for each of us to consider how we can contribute positively to the lives of those around us, whether through acts of courage during emergencies or through everyday kindness. In a world that greatly needs more uplifting stories and community spirit, we should strive to embody this spirit in our daily lives, ensuring that we look out for one another.
