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Hachnasath Sefer Torah
Just in time for the Shavuoth holiday Young Israel of San Diego enthusiastically inaugurated a Sefer Torah. The special day began with a gathering at a member's home, where the Torah was dressed in its new mantle and silver crown ordered for the occasion. Members accompanied the Torah under a hupah in a joyous procession to the synagogue. A reception awaited them during which the scroll was completed by inscribing the last words in the Torah. Participants had a part in this great mitzvah by making a pledge for each letter written. The scroll, embroidered mantle and silver Torah ornament were purchased from Mercaz STaM.
Congregation celebrates "Year of the Torah"
In Texas a young congregation commissioned the writing of a new Sefer Torah to be dedicated in time for the Shavuoth holiday. The congregation designated this year the "Year of the Torah," with many activities and programs related to Torah held throughout the year.
The 613th mitzvah commands each person to write a Torah. Since most of us are not able to personally write a Torah, one who commissions a new scroll from a skilled Sofer (scribe) knowledgeable in the special requirements of writing sacred scrolls can fulfill this mitzvah. Congregants are invited to participate by dedicating a book, a parasha, an aliyah, a verse or even a word. Everyone who makes a dedication, at any level, is invited to participate in the Siyum HaTorah (completion ceremony), will receive a certificate and be recognized in a special scroll.
During the course of the year, many classes focus on Torah like the rabbi’s class on the Weekly Parasha. The religious school had a special family day to learn about the Torah’s 613 commandments. Twice during the year, the Sofer has come to visit the school and given workshops to both adults and children. Participants were able to hold a quill, touch real parchment, observe him writing and ask questions about the work of a scribe and writing Torah scrolls.
The project culminates in a festive Siyum HaTorah in which the scribe completes the last verses of the scroll while all participants recite the Shehechianu blessing. The completed Torah is then joyously brought into the synagogue under a student-created Huppah. The ceremony symbolizes the Torah as the marriage contract between G-d and the Jewish people. Monies collected from the dedication will go into a permanent endowment fund to be used for special educational and cultural programming for the congregation.
Albuquerque Centennial Torah
Congregation Albert could have chosen to celebrate their 100 year anniversary by adding a new wing to their building or commissioning a special sculpture. "We deliberately said we want a symbol and a message of the centennial - the Torah - G-d’s presence, study and prayer," stated Rabbi Black during a Torah workshop at the temple. "For, ultimately, that’s what we’re all about." The congregation commissioned a new Torah during this special year to be "written especially for the children of Temple Albert," added the rabbi.
Rabbi Miller, the sofer, came from California to demonstrate the centuries-old method of inscribing a Torah. He made samples of his Hebrew calligraphy and gave them to the children. To help the children understand the amount of work which goes into creating a Torah, a scroll was unwound with students carefully holding the 100 foot long parchment. One youngster commented that during the experience, "I felt like a parent because of the responsibility of holding it."
The congregation will raise funds for the project with donations starting at $9. "The crucial thing is not the money," Rabbi Black emphasized. "I want the Torah as a powerful symbol and constant reminder of the importance of our relationship with G-d and with one another."