SIFREI TORAH Meaning and
Definition
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Sifrei Torah, also known as Sefer Torah or Torah scrolls, are sacred Jewish religious texts that contain the entire Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh, written by hand on parchment. Sifrei Torah are highly regarded as one of the most important possessions of a Jewish community or synagogue. They are meticulously crafted by scribes who follow strict rules and guidelines.
Each Sefer Torah consists of 304,805 Hebrew letters, beginning with the Book of Genesis and ending with the Book of Deuteronomy. The writing is done with a special quill pen and ink made from natural ingredients, such as gallnuts and iron sulfate, ensuring durability and longevity.
The parchment used to create a Sefer Torah is made from the hide of a kosher animal, such as a cow or sheep. It is carefully prepared and stitched together to form a continuous scroll, with the text written in columns. The scribe must remain focused and refrain from making any mistakes while transcribing the sacred text. If any errors occur, the entire section must be rewritten.
Sifrei Torah are treated with the utmost respect and are considered holy. They are stored in a decorative case, called a Torah Ark, within a synagogue. During religious services, the Torah scroll is taken out and reverently read aloud in segments, typically on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
The Parashat HaShavua (weekly Torah portion) is read from the Sefer Torah during synagogue services, following a specific annual cycle. The person reading from the Torah scroll uses a yad, a small pointer, to avoid directly touching the parchment and to stay focused on the correct section.
Sifrei Torah hold great significance within Jewish culture and tradition, representing the divine words and commandments given by God to the Jewish people. Their presence is
Etymology of SIFREI TORAH
The term "Sifrei Torah" (סִפְרֵי תּוֹרָה) is a Hebrew phrase that translates to "books of Torah" or "scrolls of Torah".
The word "sifrei" (סִפְרֵי) is a plural form of "sefer" (סֵפֶר), which means "book" in Hebrew. It also refers to a scroll, particularly a sacred scroll containing religious or legal texts.
The word "Torah" (תּוֹרָה) is a Hebrew term that commonly refers to the Jewish scripture, encompassing the five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. It is also used to refer to Jewish law, teaching, or instruction.
