SEFER TORAH Meaning and
Definition
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A "Sefer Torah" is a sacred object within Judaism, embodying the word of God as recorded in the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh. The term "Sefer Torah" is comprised of two Hebrew words: "sefer" meaning "book" and "Torah" referring specifically to the Five Books of Moses, considered the core of Jewish tradition and law. This term is often used interchangeably with "Torah scroll" or simply "Torah."
A Sefer Torah is a handwritten meticulously crafted parchment scroll, typically made from the skin of a kosher animal, such as a cow or goat. The scribe, known as a sofer, writes the entire Hebrew text of the Torah on this scroll by hand, using a special quill and black ink. The writing is done in a precise calligraphic style, with specific rules concerning letter formation, spacing, and layout.
Once complete, the Sefer Torah is entrusted to a synagogue or Jewish community, where it is stored in a special ark called an "aron kodesh" and revered as a central religious artifact. It is also read aloud during religious services, particularly on Shabbat (the Sabbath) and holidays, where it is unrolled from one wooden or silver spindle to another.
Jewish law and tradition demand that the Sefer Torah be treated with utmost respect and reverence. It is customary for individuals to touch the parchment with a prayer shawl or specific pointer, known as a "yad," rather than using their bare hands. The Sefer Torah is seen as the physical manifestation of God's divine teachings, representing the eternal bond between the Jewish people and their faith.
Etymology of SEFER TORAH
The word "sefer" (ספר) is Hebrew for "book" or "scroll", and "Torah" (תורה) refers to the Hebrew Bible or the Five Books of Moses. Together, "sefer Torah" (ספר תורה) translates to "Torah scroll" or "book of the Torah". The term "sefer Torah" is commonly used within Jewish tradition to specifically refer to the handwritten parchment scrolls containing the Hebrew text of the Torah.
