The Torah
Torah means teaching and refers to the five books of mosses- Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers ad Deuteronomy. The Conent of these are:
- Genesis- The origins of the universe
- Exodus- Moses- Mt Sinai
- Leviticus- Leviticus is the handbook to the priest
- Numbers- In the wilderness
- Deuteronomy- repeating of the law, Mosses encouraging the new generation to maintain the principles and faith.
· A torah scroll is made from sheets of parchment, which is made from the skin of a kosher animal.
· It is written by hand in Hebrew by a professional scribe, called a Sofer. Hebrew is read right to left.
· A Sofer takes at least one year to write out the Torah and it is his duty to make sure that the text is analysed accurately
· He is not allowed to write from memory. He must copy from a book of the Torah, and keep checking for mistakes. Letters must not be smudged or touch another letter.
· If the Sofer makes a mistake, he scrapes off the letters using a glass tool.
· The most sacred word that he writes is the Hebrew name for God. He cannot correct this- he must start the whole sheet of parchment again. The sheet with the error on it is buried in a Jewish cemetery.
· Each sheet is sewn together and wound around the wooden rollers.
· It has a velvet cover called a mantle.
· A silver breastplate is hung on the front of it, like the one worn by high priests in biblical times. This is decorated with Jewish symbols.
· Bells are attached so people hear it being carried around the synagogue
· There is also a silver pointer called a yad
· The yad is used as a pointer which prevents the scroll from being spoiled by oils and dirt from fingers.
· When the Torah is not being used, it is kept in a special cupboard at the front of the synagogue, called an ark.
· This reminds Jews of the Ark of the Covenant in which Moses and his people carried the Ten Commandments
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