Sefer Torah (in Hebrew: "Book [of] Torah") (plural: sifrei Torah) is a specially hand-written copy of the Torah or Pentateuch being the holiest book within Judaism and venerated by Jews. It must meet extremely strict standards of production. In its completed state it is stored in the holiest spot within a synagogue called the Aron ("Ark") usually built along the wall that is closest facing Jerusalem and which is the direction faced by Jews when engaged in Jewish prayers.

Production

A sefer Torah is hand-written on parchment by using a quill dipped in ink. Producing a sefer Torah fulfills one of the 613 mitzvot, or Judaism's commandments, whereby all Jews are instructed to write a copy of the Torah.

Written entirely in Hebrew, a sefer Torah contains 304,805 letters, all of which much be duplicated precisely by a trained sofer ("scribe"), an effort which may take as long as approximately one and a half years. Any error during inscription renders the sefer Torah pasul ("invalid").

Modern sifrei Torah are written with 42 lines of text per column. Very strict rules about the position and appearance of the Hebrew letters are observed. Any of several Hebrew scripts may be used, but usually complex and elegant calligraphy is employed. A completed sefer Torah will often be "dressed" externally with ornamental breastplates, scrolls, protective cloths, and occaisionally, a crown.

In modern times, many Jews choose to pay a trained sofer to complete a sefer Torah on their behalf or for a special occassion, a product which sometimes sells for tens of thousands of United States Dollars.

The use of parchment has allowed some sifrei Torah of antiquity to survive intact for over 800 years.

Usage

Torah reading from a sefer Torah is usually reserved for Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath), and for brief readings on Monday and Thursday mornings, the Jewish holidays.

During cantillation, following the often dense text is aided by a yad ("hand"), a metallic finger-shaped pointing device that protects the scrolls by avoiding unnecessary contact of the skin with the parchment.

Introduction of a new sefer Torah into a synagogue is often accompanied by celebratory dancing, singing, and prayer.

External link

Sefer Torah Center