Students opened the ark, felt the parchment and raised ink, rolled the Torah scrolls, put the cover on, and kissed the Torah scroll showing respect to the Holy Scrolls containing our lifelong history and guideline to life.
We spoke about the contents of the Torah as not just a greater-than-Harry-Potter-storybook to read, but as a moral compass and guide to our day to day living.
Here are some interesting facts about the Torah:
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A. A Torah Scroll is a Sefer Torah. A Sefer Torah contains the Five Books of Moses (the Pentateuch) handwritten in the original Hebrew from right to left, without punctuations, commas, periods, chapter or verse numbers. It is written on parchment, rolled up around two ornate wooden shafts and adorned with special accessories. It is (generally) kept in the Ark of each synagogue, and routinely read aloud in all synagogues. In its presence we also offer prayers and blessings for all those in need.
B. An authentic Torah scroll is a mind-boggling masterpiece of manual labor. Comprising 62 to 84 sheets of parchment cured, tanned, scraped and prepared to exacting Halachic specifications and containing exactly 304,805 letters, the resulting handwritten scroll takes six to 12 months to complete. Each letter is rigorously inked with a feather quill under the grueling calligraphic guidelines of Ktav Ashurit (Ashurite Script). While most Torah scrolls are around two feet in height and weigh at least 20 pounds, some are huge and heavy, while others are doll-sized, lightweight and compact-lettered.
C. Writing a Torah scroll is Positive Mitzvah #181 and is every Jewish male’s duty. Since most of us have neither the time, patience and piety nor the intimate knowledge of the hundreds (yes, hundreds) of Halachot involved in writing a Sefer Torah, we hire a Sofer (ritual scribe) to write one for us. However, since that costs a fortune, too (a five-digit minimum), most of us just chip in when a new Sefer Torah’s being written, contributing a small amount to help cover costs and symbolically purchase a share in the Torah’s ownership. (Click here to purchase a letter in the first ever Torah Scroll being written for the online Jewish community).
What is a Sefer Torah used for? What is its significance?
1. Life—Listed
A Torah Scroll is the quintessential, core representation of Judaism itself. It is the tangible embodiment of our connection to G-d and of His wisdom and guidance. It is the heart, mind and soul of Judaism, right there in front of you in writing. The original hard copy.
The first Sefer Torah in history was dictated by G-d verbatim and written by Moses, just before his passing. In his parting words, he told them to listen to the words found in that scroll and to reference them in response to life's questions. They taught their children to do the same, and that's how we've kept its tradition until this day.
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When the Torah is held aloft in the synagogue we say, “This is the Torah that Moses set before the Jewish people...” We mean it, almost literally: this scroll. These very words, written on the same kind of scroll, are the same exact words that the Jewish people wrote and read for thousands of years.
The Torah is our guide to life. The Torah is our life. Without it, the Jewish People would not be.
2. How the Torah is read
The Torah is read in synagogue during Shacharit, after the Amidah services on Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Rosh Chodesh Jewish Holidays and Fast days. On Shabbat and Fast days the Torah is read during Minchah as well. (In some communities the Torah is also read on Simchat Torah night).
The Aron is opened and the Torah is removed while the congregation recites certain verses. The Torah is then carried to the Bimah, where its crown(s), velvet slipcover and other decorative ornaments are removed and respectfully placed aside, then rolled open and read in a special liturgical chant called Kriah. The reader chants his way through the specified sections, each accompanied by a services participant who is called up to stand beside the reader (and read along in an undertone when possible). When the reading’s done, the Torah is held high and displayed for all to see, then rolled up, re-covered in velvet and replaced in the Aron.
3. Read it and Reap Torah is to the soul what water is to the body: you can’t go more than three days without water, and your soul cannot go more than three days without Torah. Torah nourishes and replenishes your spiritual reservoir, which is constant getting drained by this material life. To maintain one’s spiritual level, Moses stipulated that the Torah be read in public on Mondays and Thursdays in addition to Shabbat and Holidays.
This information is from www.askmoses.com - a great site where you can ask a live scholar any question regarding Judaism. if you cannot find a scholar online, you can search their incredible database!
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