ICJudaism: A Teacher’s Guide to Judaism

      Hosted by ICTeachers                                                                Formerly: Mike’s Rough Guide to Judaism

Disclaimer:

The contents of these pages represent the author’s personal views, experience and understanding.
There are bound to be some things here that some Jews would disagree with.

 

Sefer Torah (2)

Torah scrolls are always treated with great respect and care. They are both protected and decorated. Most UK synagogues follow the Ashkenazi practice of “dressing” their Sifrei Torah  in a way that is based on the robes of the High Priest in the Temple in Jerusalem (Sifrei Torah is the plural of Sefer Torah - the word Torah is not pluralised - there’s only one Torah!)

First the two rollers and parchment are tied with a gartle (belt). This may be as simple as a tied ribbon but is often an elasticated band covered in plush cloth and fixed with a clasp.

When not in use the whole scroll is covered with a me’il (mantle), often of embroidered velvet or some other highly high quality fabric. The mantle has a stiff top with holes that fit over the upper two finials. The mantle is usually beautifully decorated with designs which are symbolic of Jewish religious themes (eg, crowns representing the sovereignty of God, images of the tablets of the ten commandments or the Hebrew letter shin which is the initial of the title Shadai, meaning Almighty - ie God). On the front of the dressed scroll is hung a breastplate, the Choshen Michpat (Breastplate of Judgement) of silver and a silver pointer (for following the text as it is read - we try never to actually touch the writing in a scroll to avoid long term wear and tear). The pointer is called a yad (pronounced yud) which is the Hebrew word meaning hand; the end of it will often be shaped like a hand with a pointing index finger.

The upper finials will be covered by either a single large silver crown (keter) fitted with bells, or two smaller silver finials (one on each finial) called rimonim (pomegranates) which also have bells. - The high priest’s robe was fringed around the hem with alternating pomegranate-shaped tassels and bells - so that the sound of it is heard when he comes into the sanctuary before the Lord - and when he goes out.(Exodus 28,35). (In the countries where they grow, as well as being eaten, pomegranates have long been dried to make rattles). Naturally, the dressings add considerably to the weight of a Sefer Torah. A fully dressed scroll might weigh up to 20Kg.

In order to read from the scroll it must, of course, first be undressed - a task often delegated to children who are approaching the age of bar or bat mitzvah.

Before and after reading from the scroll during a synagogue service the Sefer Torah is paraded around the synagogue, its bells ringing or rattling with every step.

When not actually in use the Sifrei Torah are kept in a special cupboard called the Ark or Aron HaKodesh (meaning Holy Cupboard”).

 

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