Conversely, the codex was easier to hold open, separate pages made it possible to index sections and mark a page, and the protective covers kept the fragile pages intact better than scrolls generally stayed.
[9] However, in other places the scroll lingered. Keeping a Torah healthy How many people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4 1776? If one buys a scroll from another country, it travels by post. In most ancient literate cultures scrolls were the earliest format for longer documents written in ink or paint on a flexible background, preceding bound books[2]; rigid media such as clay tablets were also used but had many disadvantages in comparison.
Torah scrolls are typically kept in synagogues, in a special cabinet called an ark.
in a special heavy cabinet called the "aron." The Romans eventually found the scroll too cumbersome for lengthy works and developed the codex, which is the formal name for the modern style of book, with individual pages bound together.
How does Philippine folk art reflect the nature and life of common folk? For example, in Egypt by the fifth century, the codex outnumbered the scroll or roll by ten to one based on surviving examples, and by the sixth century the scroll had almost vanished from use as a vehicle for literature. On Mondays and Thursdays small sections are read. In synagogues outside of Jerusalem, the ark is placed in a chamber that is in a recess in the wall, facing Jerusalem, and worshipers face this direction when reciting prayers of the service such as the Amidah. The material on this site can not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with prior written permission of Multiply. no service is in progress, the Torah will be securely locked Why are the fingertips washed before the Grace after Meals? A Sephardic synagogue based in Amsterdam (c.1675) contains a baroque style ark, which takes up the entire width of the central hub of the building. [1] The history of scrolls dates back to ancient Egypt. Written by hand, a sefer Torah is produced according to strict specifications. The hekhal contained the Menorah, Altar of Incense, and Table of the Showbread. A scroll (from the Old French escroe or escroue), is a roll of papyrus, parchment, or paper containing writing. One must always be fully dressed and respectfully behaved while in the room where the Torah is being stored, so the designated room should be chosen accordingly—not the bedroom or game-room... One may not sit or stand on a chair, table or bed which the Torah is lying upon. [citation needed]. These inscriptions generally display the purity of the synagogue or the celebrated uniqueness of the scrolls placed within.[2]. According to Jewish law (halakha), a Sefer Torah is a copy of the formal Hebrew text of the Torah hand-written on special types of parchment (see below) by using a quill or another permitted writing utensil, dipped in ink. The ark is opened only during special prayers and when removing the Torah …
Pronunced: TORE-uh, Origin: Hebrew, the Five Books of Moses. These were usually written on high quality vellum, and stored in elaborate silver and gold cases inscribed with names of participants. My Jewish Learning is a not-for-profit and relies on your help. The Chinese invented and perfected 'Indian Ink' for use in writing, including scrolls.
This last made it particularly attractive for important religious texts. The parochet is an ornate cloth that resembles the same cloth that was once on the golden Ark. The ark is often closed with a parochet ("curtain") placed either outside the doors of the Holy Ark (Ashkenazi and Mizrachi custom) or inside the doors of the ark (Spanish and Portuguese and Moroccan or Sephardic custom). Arks in the Yochanan ben Zakai Synagogue in Old Jerusalem.
Similarly, Hekhál, also written hechal, echal or heichal — and sometimes also Echal Kodesh (mainly among Balkan Sephardim) comes from Hebrew הֵיכָל hēkhāl (palace), was used in the same time period to refer to the inner sanctuary. [4] Nevertheless, scrolls were more highly regarded than codices until well into Roman times. When the Torah is being transported, ideally it should be held by a person, instead of being placed on a car seat or in the trunk. The Torah should always be held upright, resting against the right shoulder. On Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays the Torah scroll is removed from the ark, paraded around the room, and then a portion of the Torah is chanted aloud for the whole community. prayers in each service. Is this acceptable? What does the "S" in Harry S. Truman stand for? Copyright © 2002-2020 My Jewish Learning. [5], A mobile ark at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Ark of the 14th century Sephardic Synagogue of El Tránsito in Toledo, Spain, Freestanding ark made in Modena, Italy in 1472, Ark in the 17th century Saluzzo Synagogue in Saluzzo, Italy, Ark in the 1870 Synagogue of Győr in Győr, Hungary, The ark of the 19th century Spanish Synagogue of Prague, Czech Republic, Ark based on a Chinese Buddhist design used by the Kaifeng Jews of China, Ark in the 1903 Choral Synagogue in Vilnius, Lithuania, The ark of the early 20th century Ponevezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, Israel, Ark of the Grande synagogue de la Paix, constructed in the 1950s, Mid-century modern ark from the 1950s in the Congregation Gemiluth Chassodim in Alexandria, Louisiana, USA, The 1981 Hecht Synagogue uses two alcoves on either side of a window as arks, 19th century Torah shrine from the Jewish Community of Solothurn, Jewish Museum of Switzerland[6], receptacle which contains a synagogue's Torah scrolls, Wischnitzer, Rachel, and Bezalel Narkiss (2007). Torah scrolls are often dressed with a sash, a special Torah cover, various ornaments and a Keter (crown), although such customs vary among synagogues. A Torah should always be placed upright; never upside down or on its face. benches). It came to replace the scroll thanks to several problems that limited the scroll's function and readability. Early designs in the United States featured built-in ark’s in synagogues. Roberts, Colin H., and Skeat, T.C. The Torah scroll being the holiest of Jewish artifacts is kept in a special heavy cabinet called the "aron."