Object numberM2004/018
DescriptionMiniature paper Torah scroll or Sefer Torah, on blue wooden handles. White satin cover with gold Star of David bound by two lions printed on it. It was given to the donor, Richard Davies, as a gift when he was 10 years old, Australia, circa 1958.
In some reform synagogues children are given miniature mass-produced Torah scrolls, such as this one, to brandish on Simchat Torah or as bar mitzvah gifts or souvenirs. Miniature in form, they are printed on paper instead of hand-written on parchment; they are not regarded as kosher.
A kosher Torah scroll used in a synagogue is handwritten by a scribe on parchment, and is a copy of the Torah, meaning: of the Pentateuch, or the five books of Moses (the first books of the Hebrew Bible). It must meet extremely strict standards of production (unlike the miniature version). The Torah scroll is mainly used in the ritual of Torah reading during Jewish prayers. At other times, it is stored in the holiest spot within a synagogue, the Torah ark, which is usually an ornate curtained-off cabinet or section of the synagogue built along the wall that most closely faces Jerusalem, the direction Jews face when praying.
In some reform synagogues children are given miniature mass-produced Torah scrolls, such as this one, to brandish on Simchat Torah or as bar mitzvah gifts or souvenirs. Miniature in form, they are printed on paper instead of hand-written on parchment; they are not regarded as kosher.
A kosher Torah scroll used in a synagogue is handwritten by a scribe on parchment, and is a copy of the Torah, meaning: of the Pentateuch, or the five books of Moses (the first books of the Hebrew Bible). It must meet extremely strict standards of production (unlike the miniature version). The Torah scroll is mainly used in the ritual of Torah reading during Jewish prayers. At other times, it is stored in the holiest spot within a synagogue, the Torah ark, which is usually an ornate curtained-off cabinet or section of the synagogue built along the wall that most closely faces Jerusalem, the direction Jews face when praying.
Subjectreligious activities, ritual prayer, Judaica, children, families
Object nameTorah scrolls
Dimensions
- width: 52.00 mm
height: 155.00 mm
depth: 27.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Richard Davies