The Jewish Experience's Sefer Torah

In a religion that generally avoids physical images and icons, the Torah scroll is unquestionably the most identifiable and important ‘thing’ in Judaism. Guarded in its sacred home, the holy ark of every synagogue, it’s our most honored and most prized possession. After all, we are ‘The People of the Book.’

Perhaps this is why the birth of a new Torah Scroll is such a remarkable and exciting event.

“For a long time I have wanted The Jewish Experience to initiate a Sefer Torah campaign in the community,” explains Rabbi Ahron Wasserman proudly. “It’s an historic project with tremendous potential to educate, inspire and involve people.”

“This Torah scroll is to be a community outreach Torah,” he continues. “It will be used in conjunction with educational and outreach events such as our weekend retreats in the mountains.”

Early this spring, Rabbi Wasserman contacted Rabbi Tzvi Chaim Pincus, of Tiferes Stam in New York. Rabbi Pincus flies all over the country helping communities to write new Torah scrolls. Together, they discussed the cost of writing the scroll, details such as the size of the scroll and the choice of scribe, and the timetable for the whole process.

As the plans took shape, Joel and Lisa Appel got involved. Parents of two students in The Sunday Experience, they felt the power and importance of undertaking such a holy task. “Writing the Torah scroll with The Jewish Experience means that the whole community will get a chance to participate,” said Joel Appel. “It’s not often we get to do such a big mitzvah.” The Appel’s have dedicated the year-long Torah scroll project.

 For the senior class of The Sunday Experience the timing of the project couldn’t be better. “Our oldest group is heading for their bar and bas mitzvahs in the coming year or two,” notes Rabbi Yehoshua Sova, who teaches them every Sunday. Rabbi Sova joined The Jewish Experience this fall as the Youth Outreach Director. “It’s an opportunity few of their peers have, to be involved first-hand in the writing of a new Torah. It dovetails beautifully with what they’re learning.”

The first few letters of the new scroll were eventually written on October 21, 2007, at an open community event in the Shwayder Theater at the JCC sponsored by Dave and Mia Berlin. Rabbi Pincus flew in for the day with the first section of claf, or cowhide, which was carefully prepared for its holy use. At the event, Rabbi Pincus, who delights in teaching adults and children about the Jewish scribal arts, explained some of the critical elements that go into writing a Torah Scroll.

“A pious, learned scribe takes special indelible ink, a real goose quill and the highly prepared hide of a cow and writes 304,805 letters to make a Torah scroll. Every letter must be formed perfectly, no two may touch, and no extra letters may be added,” Rabbi Pincus said.

Over the course of the year, there will be other events and opportunities for people in the community to get personally involved, including dedicating parts of the scroll itself. “The Talmud says that if a person writes even one letter, it is as if he wrote the whole Torah. It’s a moving and wonderful way to fulfill the obligation, and everyone can afford it,” notes Rabbi Pincus. “A spiritual connection is formed between the donor, the scribe and the holy Torah. It’s a transcendent moment.”

When the Torah scroll, which will be written primarily in Israel, is almost finished, it will be brought back to Denver for a siyum—a celebration of its completion. Rabbi Pincus will write the last few letters, and with great fanfare and festivity the newly completed Torah will be welcomed home.

For information about being personally involved in the new scroll, or about upcoming events in the process, please call The Jewish Experience office directly at (303) 316-6412.