The Torah Scrolls

Lesson Objectives:

To know what the Torah To know what the Torah scrolls are.scrolls are.

To understand how the To understand how the scrolls are treated with scrolls are treated with

respect.respect.

HomeworkHomework

• Design a security system to Design a security system to protect the Torah Scrolls but you protect the Torah Scrolls but you must remember to keep the must remember to keep the important features, like the ark, important features, like the ark, the same.the same.

Key TermsKey Terms

• Parchment: type of paper the Torah is written on

• Torah Scrolls: Jewish scriptures

• Ark: Chest where Scrolls are kept

• Yad: pointer used to read the Torah

Is there a book or a set of books that is/are important to YOU?

Why?

Think about the pictures in it (if there are any), What the book is about, who gave it to you, where did it come from, what does it remind you of when they read it?

The Torah is The Torah is important for Jews.important for Jews.

God revealed it to God revealed it to Moses.Moses.

treat it with the treat it with the utmost respect.utmost respect.

The Torah is always The Torah is always written by hand. This written by hand. This can take up to a can take up to a year!year!

• The Scrolls are made up of the The Scrolls are made up of the first five books of Moses: first five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.Numbers and Deuteronomy.

This is called the This is called the Pentateuch Pentateuch

• These books contain the early These books contain the early history of the Jews, from the history of the Jews, from the creation of the world to the creation of the world to the death of Moses. death of Moses.

The Torah Scrolls

Facts about the Scrolls

• The Scroll is made from animal skin.

Jews believe the Torah is unchanged.

Why is the Torah so Why is the Torah so important?important?

It teaches Jews aboutIt teaches Jews about

God and gives rules God and gives rules onon

how they should live how they should live theirtheir

lives. lives.

How are the scroll shown How are the scroll shown respect?respect?

• In the synagogue when the In the synagogue when the scrolls are not being read, scrolls are not being read, they are kept in the Arkthey are kept in the Ark

• The Torah scroll has special The Torah scroll has special

coverings and ornaments. coverings and ornaments.

• It is not touched, Jews use a It is not touched, Jews use a pointer (Yad) to read it.pointer (Yad) to read it.

• The writing must be perfect.The writing must be perfect.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of writing out a

whole book by hand???DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Time consuming. It Time consuming. It would be easier to would be easier to use machinery and use machinery and have copies made.have copies made.

Errors – if a mistake Errors – if a mistake is made and it isn't is made and it isn't realised until the realised until the end of the work – end of the work – then this can be a then this can be a

problem.problem.

AdvantagesAdvantages

Reward from GodReward from God

Respect from Respect from communitycommunity

Time well spent in the Time well spent in the service of God.service of God.

Questions

1. What is the Torah Scroll made of? 2. What is written on the scrolls?3. If you did not know what the Torah

scroll was, how could you tell it was special?

4. What is the Torah ‘dressed’ in?5. What is the Yad?6. Where are the scrolls kept?

BBB :What would you do to show that an object was special and why? E.g. wash your hands so you were clean when you touched it.

Students will learn about how a Torah scroll is made and its importance to Jews. Students will be able to appreciate the care that goes into making something beautiful and important.