Questions tagged [sefer-torah]
A scroll of parchment on which is written the Five Books of Moses. Portions from it are read aloud in synagogue at least 4 times a week.
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60 views
The wrapping of a Torah scroll only “defiles the hands” so long as it is pure? Why? What does pure mean in this case?
Tosefta Yadayim 2:5 (quoted by Rashba on Mishnah Yadayim) says:
תיק הספרים ומטפחות ותיבה של ספר בזמן שהן טהורות מטמאות את הידים
What does "pure" mean here? What could happen to the wrappings or the ...
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votes
1answer
59 views
Is it acceptable in a Sefer Torah or Tikkun to stretch all letters uniformly to justify the text?
Given that you aren't allowed to stretch spaces in Hebrew (would be interested to know where the primary source for this is), is it acceptable to simply stretch all characters in a line by some ratio ...
-1
votes
1answer
55 views
What is the exact formatting of the Chumash [duplicate]
I am looking for the rules for the exact formatting (the visual look) of the Chumash. I thought I was interested in the Torah Scroll, but it turns out that I'm actually looking for info on the Book ...
3
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0answers
55 views
Inconsistent sifrei Torah for the required number of aliyos
Different groups (Ashkenazim, Sefaradim, Teimonim) have different traditions for spellings of different words in the Torah. Practically, while each group writes according to their own mesorah, we ...
3
votes
1answer
50 views
Is there a maximum seam breakage in a Torah before it becomes pasul?
I gather that when writing the Torah, there is a maximum allowable space between columns.
Hence, my question, which may be based on the above assumption...
If the stitched seam between two parchment ...
2
votes
1answer
91 views
How does one write a Kosher Sefer Torah in Greek? [duplicate]
Following question of "why-is-a-greek-torah-scroll-kosher", the Mishna in Meggila 1.8 reads:
אֵין בֵּין סְפָרִים לִתְפִלִּין וּמְזוּזוֹת אֶלָּא שֶׁהַסְּפָרִים נִכְתָּבִין בְּכָל לָשׁוֹן... רַבָּן ...
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0answers
44 views
How can we recognize Moses' original scroll?
Let's imagine we excavate the Temple Mount area and find an Ark with a 3500-year-old scroll in good condition.
How would we know if it is the original scroll Moses wrote (besides being accompanied by ...
0
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1answer
41 views
Was Moses' original scroll used as a blueprint for all following scrolls?
In Parashat Vayelech, Moses writes/completes a Torah scroll and hands it over to Kohanim to keep it in the Holy Ark.
Does anybody mention that its purpose was to serve as a blueprint for other Torah ...
3
votes
1answer
101 views
Does one need to fast if a pasul Torah is dropped?
There is a minhag to fast when a Sefer Torah is dropped. Does this apply if the dropped Torah was pasul (not "kosher")?
My thinking - a pasul Torah is not a "true" Torah in the sense that it can be ...
6
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1answer
99 views
What is the difference in meaning between a Pesucha and a Setuma?
Paragraphs in a Torah scroll are separated in two ways: "open" breaks (a “Pesucha," generally a gap to the end of the line) and "closed" breaks (a “Setumah,” generally a gap in the middle of the line)....
3
votes
2answers
78 views
When the Torah scroll was available at first for Dor Hamidbar?
What are the different Rabbinical approaches to when exactly were (at least the first 4 books of) the Torah scrolls available to the Jews in the wilderness?
I'm asking specifically about the scrolls ...
2
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0answers
102 views
Tetragrammaton in paleo-Hebrew within Hebrew text of Tehilim
Many scrolls were found (in Qumran?) depicting a regular Hebrew scripture text with the Holy name written in paleo-Hebrew (כתב עברי), like this one:
What Talmudic explanation fits these findings, if ...
4
votes
1answer
158 views
Writing/buying Seforim rather than Sefer Torah
I've heard someone say that the mitzvah to write/buy a Sefer Torah in these days is actually to write/buy seforim that we use to learn Torah from. Do you know who the source of this opinion is?
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1answer
86 views
Why there's no Deoraytah prohibition of altering Torah scroll?
Following my other question "no-anti-altering-failsafe-measures". Please correct me if I'm wrong, one who alters one letter of a Torah scroll invalidates it in whole (שו"ע יו"ד רעד).
But I don't ...
3
votes
1answer
313 views
Count a Torah scroll as the tenth in a minyan?
There is a widespread perception in non-traditional congregations that the Torah scroll can count as a tenth to make a minyan.
However, the Code of Jewish Law does not mention that. It only says ...
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0answers
27 views
What to do with unusable Torah scrolls? [duplicate]
Is a Torah scroll that is too old and worn out to be used buried in a genizah? I heard that just as the broken tablets of Moses' first ascension were kept with the whole tablets of Moses' second ...
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0answers
30 views
Protecting a Torah scroll with plastic sheet
Is there anything in halacha that prohibits applying a thin plastic sheet to the Torah scroll? (Possible reasons: Allow to avoid damaging the scroll with the yad over time, disallow so the words of ...
3
votes
1answer
107 views
Should you touch the scroll with the yad?
Is the Torah reader (baal koreh) allowed to touch the scroll with the yad or not? (Possible reasons: Allow to create a physical contact with the words of Torah; disallow to avoid premature damaging ...
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0answers
39 views
What can the proceeds from the sale of a pasul Sefer Torah be used for?
What are the restrictions, if any, on what the proceeds on the sale of a pasul Sefer Torah can be used for?
Can the proceeds be used for capital improvements to the Shul?
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1answer
56 views
What are the rules regarding resewing Torah “sheets”?
During my Yom Tov Torah reading, I noticed that two Sifrei Torah had seams that seemed (OK, a bit of a pun intended, here ;-) a bit loose. So, I have a few questions regarding some of the requirements ...
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1answer
63 views
Is there ever a rule not to place certain words on separate lines in a Sefer Torah?
The Gemara in Chulin 64b - 65 discusses the Bas Hayaana bird, and explains that although that is indeed the name of the bird, the fact that it is two separate words allows us to also interpret them ...
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Are any communities using Sifrei Torah without “rollers”?
I think there was some mention in Mas. Megillah that discussed the method of doing hagbah and the usage of a mitpachat ("kerchief / cloth") for handling and covering the Torah. From this idea, it ...
2
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1answer
68 views
Why is the מ in מוֹקְדָ֨ה small?
In Parshat צו, Chapter 6, verse 2 the מ in מוֹקְדָ֨ה is small according to Minchas Shai.
Why is the מ in מוֹקְדָ֨ה small?
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0answers
54 views
Additional differences of Rashi's Torah scroll
Rashi on Shmot 25,20 interprets the Vav we don't have in our Torah scrolls:
"ואת כל אשר אצוה אותך אל בני ישראל. הרי וי"ו זו יתירה וטפלה, וכמוהו הרבה במקרא"
Siftey Chachamim explains:
"אע"פ שאין ...
2
votes
1answer
94 views
Can I see a list of the 18 Tikunei Sofrim (emendations of the scribes), with each described?
Can I see a list of the 18 Tikunei Sofrim(emendations of the scribes)? (Describing each of them)
I have found various references to the 18 Tikunei Sofrim online, but no elaboration on what each one ...
3
votes
1answer
86 views
Why is the Torah not written in chronological order?
Many parts of the Torah skip ahead or revert back several chapters or verses thereby rendering it NOT written in chronological order. What is the reason for this?
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votes
4answers
170 views
Can a sefer Torah serve as a mezuzah?
This question is inspired by the extremely large mezuzot at Ben-Gurion airport (original image, rehost).
If one attached a complete, kosher sefer Torah to a sufficiently large doorpost, would it ...
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2answers
195 views
Can women in niddah dance and hold a sefer Torah on Simkhat Torah?
Is there any opinion that allows women in niddah to dance holding the sefer Torah on Simkhat Torah?
3
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1answer
40 views
Is a Pasul Torah scroll considered a Muktzeh on Shabbat?
I know that there are different categories of Muktzeh. One category that is difficult for me to understand is the concept that if something has no use at all on Shabbat (or use for any purpose) it is ...
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votes
5answers
242 views
Why is the Torah divided into five books?
When the Torah refers to itself, it refers to itself in the singular. There are numerous verses, notably in Devarim. One notable example Devarim 31:16 (Sefaria English translation:)
"לָקֹחַ אֵת ...
2
votes
1answer
96 views
Do we fast when someone trips and falls while holding a Sefer Torah?
When dropping a Sefer Torah, the custom is to fast, but what is the minhag if I trip and fall while holding a Sefer Torah?
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votes
1answer
92 views
How are Sephardi Sifrei Torah assembled?
I rarely daven in Sephardi shuls, so I'm curious as to how Sephardi Sifrei Torah are "assembled" from the time it is written on parchment until it is put into the case.
Ashkenazi Sifrei Torah are "...
2
votes
1answer
41 views
When is a Torah scroll kosher? [duplicate]
A Torah scroll that is damaged cannot be used. But if the "good" parts of several Torah scrolls are stitched together, is the resulting scroll kosher? Or does the fact that more than one scribe ...
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0answers
98 views
Pesicha of 3 Sifrei Torah: special time
Someone sent me a voice recording of someone mentioning an idea from the Sefer Heichalos that when there is we open 3 sifrei Torah (Torah scrolls, on shabbas – chanuka – rosh chodesh), then there is a ...
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1answer
52 views
Torah Hebrew calligraphy [closed]
I want to know what was the calligraphy used in the first Torah manuscript? I searched Google but found no answer.
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2answers
145 views
Are Tefillin allowed to be put in a prison?
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 135:14) states that one should not bring a Sefer Torah into a prison.:
"בני אדם החבושים בבית האסורין אין מביאי' אצלם ס"ת אפילו בר"ה ויה"כ: הגה והיינו דוקא בשעת ...
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votes
1answer
79 views
How can I eliminate or reduce the musty “sheepy” Torah odor?
I was inspired to follow up on this question that asks about cleaning Torah scrolls.
My shul building is about 90 years old. The Aron has 10 Torah scrolls - only 4 of them usable. This ark is opened ...
6
votes
1answer
160 views
Cleaning a Torah Scroll
Our shul recently had a sofer in to look at our newer Torah scroll. He suggested to the Rabbi that we clean the scrolls regularly, which we have never done. So we did it a few days ago, about 20 of ...
2
votes
1answer
145 views
Donations from non-Jews
Are donations to Torah institutions from non-Jews acceptable?
Does it make a difference if they donate money or objects (e.g. a sefer Torah)? Does it make a difference who the donor is and what their ...
5
votes
1answer
71 views
Can any part of Sta"m-making be done by a Gentile?
There are several steps that I can think of that "precede" or are "peripheral" to the actual writing of Sta"m (Sifrei Torah, Tefillin and mezuzot). Can any of these be done by a Gentile?
Preparation /...
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1answer
117 views
Why cant a Sefer torah be written by a machine [duplicate]
It seems that Sefer toras can't be used for torah readings/alias(since nobody uses them for it and the amazing facts and feats book mentions a machine made Sefer can't be used. But Why cant a Sefer ...
2
votes
2answers
91 views
Do all the letters in Sta“m need to be the same ”baseline" height?
I know that prior to writing a column in a Sefer Torah, a Sofer "scores" the parchment to mark the rows. I am also aware that certain letters have "risers" and "descenders" (e.g. a final nun has a ...
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vote
1answer
51 views
Can one Sefer Torah be in front of another one in an Aron?
My shul building is about 80 years old. The aron is huge and holds 10 Sifrei Torah arranged on 2 rows. The back row is higher than the front one.
I noticed that all the "older" shuls that have a ...
2
votes
1answer
128 views
Can a previously used Aron Kodesh be used a Sefarim closet?
Someone in my neighborhood wants to donate a used Aron Kodesh to a shul. There is a shul in my neighborhood that I thought could use it, but they have one, already. But, I'm wondering if they would be ...
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1answer
289 views
Seeing a Torah scroll fall in a dream
What significance or symbolism, if any, is there if a person sees a torah scroll fall to the floor in a dream?
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1answer
97 views
Were children ever given the honor of reading the Torah scroll in the first century? [closed]
Given that in the first century, Jewish boys were taught the Torah from ~6 to 10 in the synagogue, was there ever any likelihood of an exceptionally-literate and gifted pupil being selected to read ...
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0answers
66 views
Is there a source which states that the Baal Koreh should accompany the Sefer Torah back to the Ark?
Shulchan Oruch O Ch 23 149 (1) writes
הגה - ובמקומות שמצניעין אותו בהיכל שהוא הארון בב"ה מצוה לכל מי שעוברת
לפניו ללותה עד לפני הארון שמכניסין אותו שם [ד"ע ומהרי"ל] וכן הגולל ילך
אחר הס"ת עד ...
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0answers
26 views
Sephardic Sefer Torah Case [duplicate]
When did the Minhag of Sephardim using an upright standing Torah case begin? From the gemara in Megila 32a it's pretty clear that in the times of Chazal this was not the prevalent custom.
So to ...
0
votes
2answers
68 views
Why are specifically the land of Israel and the Torah called a “Morasha”?
If I have this correct, the Torah calls only two items מורשה - the Torah, itself as in Devarim 33:4 and the land of Israel (Cana'an) as in Shemot 6:8. I read, I think in both Art Scroll as well as ...
3
votes
2answers
292 views
What can a shul do with unusable Torah scrolls?
Our shul has about 15 unusable Torah scrolls. (To place it in a positive light, we have 6 that are usable. The shul has been in existence for 90 years, and we retrieved a number of "Holocaust" scrolls ...
