The Flames Passed Over: A Home Protected by Weekly Torah

More than two thousand homes were damaged in the terrible wildfire that tore through Haifa last week. The devastation was widespread and heartbreaking. Yet, in the middle of all the destruction, some buildings and apartments were strangely left unharmed.

“There’s really no logical explanation,” said Rabbi Menachem Kaplan, northern coordinator for Lev L’Achim, in an interview with Yated Ne’eman. “The fire destroyed certain homes completely, while others, sometimes just a few feet away, weren’t touched at all.”

One case stood out in particular. In a building that was heavily affected by the fire, one apartment was entirely destroyed. But directly across the hall just a few steps away, another apartment remained completely intact. “The fire just passed over it,” Rabbi Kaplan said. “It didn’t damage it at all.”

That untouched apartment belongs to a man named Alon. While Alon doesn’t identify as Torah observant, he recently opened his home to something very special. For the past six months, every Tuesday evening, he’s been hosting a Torah class. A Torah teacher from Lev L’Achim comes to his apartment to teach, and the group includes Alon’s brother, some friends, and other family members.

After the fire, Alon called Rabbi Kaplan and shared what he believed had happened. “I have no doubt,” he said emotionally, “that our home was saved because of the Torah classes that take place here.”

Even though his entire building is now blackened from the fire, Alon asked that the class continue as usual. “Please come this week too,” he said. “I want to keep it going. That’s what protected my apartment.”

This touching story has inspired many, especially those who are just beginning to explore what it means to bring Torah into their lives. Sometimes, all it takes is one small step like opening your door to a class or inviting Torah into your home to bring unexpected blessing and protection.