The Torah Scrolls

Lesson Objectives:

To know what the Torah scrolls

are.

To understand how the scrolls are

treated with respect.
 Homework
• Design a security system to protect
the Torah Scrolls but you must
remember to keep the important
features, like the ark, the same.
 Key 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 important
for Jews.

God revealed it to
Moses.

treat it with the utmost

respect.

The Torah is always

written by hand. This
can take up to a year!
 The Torah Scrolls
• The Scrolls are made up of the first
five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus,
Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
This is called the Pentateuch

• These books contain the early history

of the Jews, from the creation of
the world to the death of Moses.
 Facts about the Scrolls
• The Scroll is made Jews believe the Torah is
from animal skin. unchanged.
Why is the Torah so important?

It teaches Jews about

God and gives rules on
how they should live their
lives.
How are the scroll shown respect?
• In the synagogue when the
scrolls are not being read, they
are kept in the Ark

• The Torah scroll has special

coverings and ornaments.

• It is not touched, Jews use a

pointer (Yad) to read it.

• The writing must be perfect.

 What are the advantages and
disadvantages of writing out a whole
book by hand???
Disadvantages
Advantages
Time consuming. It
would be easier to use Reward from God
machinery and have
copies made. Respect from community

Errors – if a mistake is Time well spent in the

made and it isn't service of God.
realised until the end of
the work – then this can
be a problem.
 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.