Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Curaçao, N.A.

The making of a TORAH is unique. Pieces of parchment made from the skins of a Biblically-approved animal, are written upon by a scribe or SOFER. Highly skilled and very pious, this person has the tedious task of hand-copying from one TORAH to another- a monumental task which requires devotion, diligence and patience. A SOFER uses special quills and ink, and must be certain that each scroll is an exact duplicate of the one he is copying from; for even a small mistake can make that TORAH unfit for use. Once completed, the pieces of parchment are sewn together with special thread (GIDDIM) and attached to two wooden rollers (EYTZ CHAYIM), one at each end of the scroll of parchment. Each TORAH contains the complete Five Books of Moses-from Genesis to Deuteronomy.

It is a local custom to protect the TORAH scroll from the heat and humidity of the tropics, by winding a lining along the back of the parchment scroll. This cloth prevents the front of the letters from sticking to the back of the parchment when the TORAH is scrolled (rolled together), bound and placed- standing up- in the HEYCHAL. The color of this inner lining usually matches the color of the outer mantle.

This TORAH scroll is unrolled and open to Genesis 9:27. The YAD, or pointer, lies over the phrase “May God enlarge Yafet and dwell in the tents of Shem”, which is the scriptural verse that is found over the portals of the sanctuary entrance. In keeping with the respect and honor given to the TORAH, many customs have developed regarding the care and treatment of a TORAH. For example: The TORAH is not to be touched on the inside by human hands, so as not to mar the lettering; thus, the use of a YAD. The word YAD means hand, and upon close inspection, one sees that the pointer is a replica of a human hand, usually the right hand with the index finger extended. When reading from the TORAH, the reader (BAAL KOREH) uses the YAD to mark the place of his reading.

Some examples of YADIM which are used in the SNOA on special occasions or holidays: From left to right: an ornate silver YAD with chain used on the Jewish New Year (ROSH HASHANAH); a gilded, left-handed YAD used on the Day of Atonement (YOM KIPPUR); a silver YAD used on SHABBAT and

holidays; and a black, wooden YAD used on the Ninth of Av (TISHA B’AV) - a sad day in Jewish history. TISHA B’AV marks the destruction of the Great Temple in Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and probably the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE. It is a day of austerity and, except for YOM KIPPUR, is the only other twenty-four-hour fast day in the Jewish year. Even the Synagogue reflects the saddened heart of the Jew during TISHA B’AV as the TORAH mantle, the SHULCHAN cover, the RIMONIM and the YAD are all changed to dark blue or black. It is interesting to note that this date also has a special historical significance for the Sephardic Jews of Curaçao who originally came from Spain and Portugal: the Ninth of Av, 1492 was the date of the Expulsion of the Jews from Spain. (ALP)