the torah scroll is kept in the ark in a synagogue.
the torah scroll is kept in the ark in a synagogue.
where is the torah scroll kept in a synagogue?
the ark
a completed torah scroll is treated with great honor and respect. while not in use it is housed in the torah ark ("aron kodesh" or "hekhal"), which in its turn is usually veiled by an embroidered parochet, "curtain", as it should be according to exodus 26:31–34. the scroll itself will often be girded with a strip of silk (see wimpel) and "robed" with a piece of protective fine fabric, called the "mantle of the law". it is decorated with an ornamental priestly breastplate, scroll-handles ("‘etz ḥayyim"), and the principal ornament—the "crown of the law", which is made to fit over the upper ends of the rollers when the scroll is closed. some scrolls have two crowns, one for each upper end. the metalwork is often made of beaten silver, sometimes gilded. the gold and silver ornaments belonging to the scroll are collectively known as "kele kodesh" (sacred vessels), and somewhat resemble the ornaments of the high priest of israel ("kohen gadol"). the scroll-handles, breastplate and crown often have little bells attached to them (cf. rimmonim). a yad, or pointer, may also be hung from the scroll, since the torah itself should never be touched with the bare finger. this ornamentation does not constitute worship of the torah scroll, but is intended to distinguish it as sacred and holy, as the living word of god. special prayers are recited when the torah scroll is removed from the ark (see torah reading), and the text is chanted, rather than spoken, in a special melodic manner (see cantillation and nigun). whenever the scroll is opened to be read it is laid on a piece of cloth called the "mappah". when the torah scroll is carried through the synagogue, the members of the congregation may touch the edge of their prayer shawl ("tallit") to the torah scroll and then kiss it as a sign of respect.
sefer torah
section::::see also.









































bullet::::- torah scroll (yemenite)









































bullet::::- ashuri alphabet (ktav ashuri)









































bullet::::- five megillot









































bullet::::- hakhel









































bullet::::- ktav stam









































bullet::::- tikkun (book) (used to prepare for the reading of torah scroll in synagogue)









































bullet::::- universal torah registry, an initiative to prevent torah scroll theft









































section::::external links.









































bullet::::- three complete kosher torah scrolls for study online (congregation beth emeth of northern virginia)









































bullet::::- torah scroll for study online with megillot and commentaries









































bullet::::- computer-generated torah scroll for study online with translation, transliteration and chanting (wordort)









































bullet::::- scroll of the law article from the "jewish encyclopedia"









































bullet::::- examples of ancient torah scrolls
sefer torah