[open] Getting a Torah Scroll [open]

[Ivy]

Hi, just wanted to share there is something wonderful happening for our congregation this week--we're getting a Torah scroll! :clap: It's extra special because it's a Holocaust scroll and comes from Russia.

Now pray that we do not get into big fights over choosing the cover (s) ;)

[plum]

:clap: oh how wonderful!! Simchat Torah will be extra special this year!

[Henaynei]

forgive me - I know this may come off badly, but here I go any way..... :)

Why does your congregation want a Torah scroll?

What will they do with it?

Do you know if it is a Kosher scroll?

If you will be having a Torah processional and members of your congregation will be reading from the scroll, will both men and women be carrying, handling and reading from the scroll?

These are questions with which our congregation had to wrestle when considering getting a scroll.....

also, I noticed your CF icon is Christian and not Messianic - is your congregation Christian as well?

b'Shalom
Henaynei

[Wags]

I wondered some of those same things Henaynei - but if memory serves Ivy also attends a messianic congregation. But I'm sure she will give us the details.

[ChavaK]

I was also wondering if it is kosher since it is an older
Torah....

[Ivy]

forgive me - I know this may come off badly, but here I go any way..... :)

Why does your congregation want a Torah scroll?

What will they do with it?

Do you know if it is a Kosher scroll?

If you will be having a Torah processional and members of your congregation will be reading from the scroll, will both men and women be carrying, handling and reading from the scroll?

These are questions with which our congregation had to wrestle when considering getting a scroll.....

also, I noticed your CF icon is Christian and not Messianic - is your congregation Christian as well?

b'Shalom
Henaynei

Hey ya' :)

The congregation I attend/have attended for 12 years is a Messianic Jewish congregation in Tikkun Network; maybe a third of the members are born Jewish. (I wasn't born Jewish, so I usually wear the cross icon here so that I don't mislead people about my origins. :) ) So, of course, the reason they want a Torah scroll is because that's what a synagogue should have......

I believe it was established that the scroll is kosher. They were also able to date it based on the....(forget the term) protocol?....of the writing. I can't describe this concept well-- but from what I understood, there's a certain way of doing the size various letters so that not too many letters go off the end of a line, and this one was done by an older protocol where three letters maximum were allowed to go off the line. I believe it's made of velum and also is not whitewashed, so the letters are reportedly very nice & clear. (I haven't seen it yet.) I think it is supposed to get trimmed some on the top and bottom because it is quite heavy.

The plan is to inaugerate a proper Torah service/procession etc.-- which will take some months of preparation time to say the least. I don't know if women will be handling/reading etc. or not. We ladies have endless capabilities, don't we? ;) --but I think something vital is lost when the men back away from these positions. It's more inspiring to me to have the men do it. For instance, in our cong. only the men do the (English) Torah reading, while the ladies can do the Haftarah and Brit Hadeshah.

The awkward thing is that maybe one man can read Hebrew at this point, one woman, and myself who can't yet do without vowel points. I really don't want to stand up front :eek: anyway (my daughter says I sound like a squeaky mouse when I get nervous, and ya' know, that just ain't majestic ;) ). So let's pray the men really rise to the fore!

As you can see, there are a lot of hurdles to get over before our Torah scroll is more than just ornamental.

[ChavaK]

I think it is supposed to get trimmed some on the top and bottom because it is quite heavy.

Yes, Torah scrolls are very heavy, have never heard of one being "trimmed"- will this affect how it rolls on the etz chaim, or are you going to have them custom made?


The awkward thing is that maybe one man can read Hebrew at this point, one woman, and myself who can't yet do without vowel points.

You need to learn the trope also, if you wish to read it properly...are you doing a one year cycle or a 2 or 3 year cycle on the reading?


I really don't want to stand up front :eek: anyway (my daughter says I sound like a squeaky mouse when I get nervous

You and me both!



chava

[Ivy]

duplicate

[Ivy]

I heard of a psychology study done where they discovered that many people fear public speaking more than death. ;)

(This system is acting horrible tonight! It won't post anything! I just lost a big post! )

[Ivy]

Anyway, our cong. does a one year cycle since we're in English. That may change.

I have a book on trope, but it's hard to work with. Do you know of a good resource?

[Ivy]

From what I understand, the rollers it has will work well, but if not, we have someone who is a metalsmith & can hopefully make something really nice.

[ChavaK]

I remember seeing a site online that taught trope...I will see after shabbas if I can come up with it...

[ChavaK]

I heard of a psychology study done where they discovered that many people fear public speaking more than death. ;)

(This system is acting horrible tonight! It won't post anything! I just lost a big post! )


The only thing I fear more than public speaking is
going to the dentist....:)

[Talmidah]

The only thing I fear more than public speaking is
going to the dentist....:)

Wow, we do have a lot in common, Chava.

[Henaynei]

I fear the dentist more than death!

[MattyJames]

Gongrats on the Scroll Ivy. It may be heavy, but its burden is light.

and what is all this fear of public speaking and dentists and what not!! Come now ladies..brace yourselves! :P (jokes jokes)

I am oppisite. I actually enjoy public speaking, and I'm yet to figure out whether that is a dangerous or not.

regards to all and Shabbat Shalom.

Matt James