Sefer Torah

The Rebbe holds a Sefer Torah in his hand.

A Sefer Torah is a book made from parchment, which is well-processed animal hide, written by a Sofer STaM with special ink, and with ruled lines.

The Sefer contains all five Chumashim of the Torah, and if even one letter is missing from the Torah, the Sefer is completely invalid.

Writing a Sefer Torah

Extended article – Writing a Sefer Torah

There is a special mitzvah of writing a Sefer Torah, "And now, write for yourselves this song and teach it to the Children of Israel." Although there is a disagreement among poskim regarding the laws of this mitzvah in our times, and there are those who believe that one fulfills the mitzvah by purchasing holy books through which one can fulfill the purpose of the mitzvah – "teach it to the Children of Israel" – which is learning Torah, the Rebbe instructed that all Jewish children should participate in the special mitzvah of writing a Sefer Torah, with each child paying for the cost of one letter and attributing it to their merit.

Petzua Daka

According to the Alter Rebbe's approach, the word "daka" in Parshat Tetze is written with an alef and not with a hei (according to the Vilna Gaon's approach, it is written with a hei). The Frierdiker Rebbe testified that he was in Worms in 5667 (1907) and saw a Sefer Torah that, according to tradition, was written hundreds of years earlier by the Maharam of Rothenburg, and in it "daka" was written with an alef. Similarly, when he was in Prague in 5668 (1908), he saw a Sefer Torah that was traditionally believed to have been proofread by Ezra HaSofer, and in this one too "daka" was written with an alef. In 5775 (2015), an ancient Ashkenazi Sefer Torah was discovered in which "daka" was also written with an alef.

Even though we are careful to write "daka" with an alef, a Sefer Torah written with a hei is still kosher. There is a story about the Frierdiker Rebbe when he stayed in the city of Druskenik (a spa town) on the border of Poland and Lithuania. Reb Zalman Gurary arranged for a Sefer Torah, but in this city, only a Sefer Torah that had "petzua dakah" written with a hei was found, which was not according to the Chabad custom. Reb Zalman asked the Frierdiker Rebbe – through the Rashag – what to do, and he replied that we have a tradition that the Alter Rebbe once stayed in a city where there was only a Sefer Torah with "petzua dakah" written with a hei, and he read from this Sefer or had an aliyah when they read from it.

Atzei Chaim

The sheets of the Sefer are rolled onto wooden rods. These rods are called "Atzei Chaim" (Trees of Life).

The Frierdiker Rebbe explains why they are called "Trees of Life" and not "Trees of Knowledge" – which is the aspect of Torah as knowledge and wisdom: Because in knowledge there are differences between people (one with broad knowledge or one with limited knowledge); but in life, everyone is equal – whoever holds onto the Tree of Life – the Torah – lives.

The Mapah (Cover)

According to halacha, a Sefer Torah requires a mapah (cover) and it is forbidden to hold it uncovered (meaning, when the Sefer is without a covering).

There are three ways to understand the nature of the mapah of the Sefer Torah: a) The mapah relates to the "gavra," the person holding the Sefer Torah, so they can hold the Sefer. b) The mapah relates to the "cheftza" of the Sefer Torah, and is intended to protect and increase its honor. (In parentheses, the Rebbe adds that one could also investigate whether the mapah is intended to add to the honor of the Sefer – "positive," or "negative" – preventing disrespect to the Sefer). c) It is not only related to the honor of the Sefer but to its very holiness, similar to the blank margin around the Sefer Torah, which becomes part of it.

The Rebbe decides in favor of the third way, that the mapah is indeed an inseparable part of the holiness of the Sefer.

Kriat HaTorah

Extended article – Kriat HaTorah

The Torah is divided into about sixty parshiyot, and each Shabbat we read one or two parshiyot from the Sefer Torah. According to the enactment of Ezra HaSofer, we also read from the Torah on Mondays and Thursdays, although on these days we don't read the entire parsha, but only a small portion of it. Another difference is that on Shabbat, at least seven people are called up to read from the Sefer Torah, while on weekdays there are only three olim.

Moving a Sefer Torah

Out of respect for the Sefer Torah, one should not move it from its place and take it to another building just for a single reading.

However, when this was necessary and people asked the Rebbe, the Rebbe suggested arranging the prayer services in such a way that immediately after the Torah reading in the place to which they took it, the Sefer would be needed back in the synagogue from which it was taken. Since the community needs the Sefer, there is no problem returning it to its original place.

Hachnassat Sefer Torah

Extended article – Atah Hareita

When a new Sefer Torah is completed, it is customary in Jewish communities to hold an honorable ceremony and to lead the Sefer Torah to the synagogue in a colorful procession through the city streets, accompanied by torches and dancing. The day when a Sefer Torah is brought into one of the synagogues in the city is considered a day of joy, and Tachanun is not recited throughout the entire city.

When the procession with the Sefer Torah reaches the synagogue, they come out with the old Sifrei Torah to welcome the new Sefer Torah. Before placing the Sefer Torah in the Aron Kodesh, the verses of 'Atah Hareita' are recited (said each year on Simchat Torah during the 'Hakafot').

Hachnassat Sefer Torah is conducive to many matters, and some have the custom to distribute pieces from the leftover fabric used to sew the new mantle for the Sefer Torah.

According to the Rebbe's instruction, one should not delay a Hachnassat Sefer Torah, and one should try to avoid moving it from city to city as much as possible.

External Links

• Gallery of images of the Rebbe next to a Sefer Torah
• Letter from the Rebbe Rayatz regarding the customs for a Sefer Torah dedication [hebrewbooks]
• Why is the Sephardic Sefer Torah different from the Ashkenazic Sefer Torah?

Further Reading

• Segulot of the Sefer Torah, HaMevaser Torah publication, Erev Shabbat Parshat Chukat 5784/2024

See Also

• Sefer Torah to welcome Moshiach
• The General Sefer Torah
• Sefer Torah for IDF soldiers
• Sifrei Torah in 770