Description
Book Synopsis“There is a strong sense of community and modernity as men and women and girls and boys all work together for this very special creation.” – Kirkus Reviews
Learn how a Torah scroll is made, step-by-step, in this photographic picture book.
Find out how parchment is scraped and stretched, how tree sap becomes ink, how a computer program checks for mistakes, and why people spend so much time and care making Torah scrolls by hand. Features more than 100 full-color photographs, plus fun do-it-yourself activities.
How It's Made: Torah Scroll can be used as an introduction to Torah or as part of units on Hebrew, Shabbat and holidays, mitzvot, or values.
Trade ReviewLearn the many specific steps necessary to create a Torah.
The Torah is “the holiest text of the Jewish people.” The words written on the Torah scroll are commandments for living and stories of creation. They have been preserved and revered for countless generations. In this copiously illustrated book, the author and photographer provide step-by-step directions for making a Torah scroll, from preparing the parchment and ink to writing the words and decorating covers. Ofanansky frequently engages readers in the process by asking questions such as “What tradition do YOU like to keep” and also includes interactive features, such as matching the correct answers in columns. There are many factoids, as in “304,805 / The number of letters in a Torah scroll,” as well as quotations from those engaged in the process. Readers can also learn how to make a yad, or pointer, used when reading from the text. There is a strong sense of community and modernity as men and women and girls and boys all work together for this very special creation.
While those who attend Jewish services will likely find this the most attention-grabbing, this is still pertinent to readers interested in religious studies. (Informational picture book. 6-10)
– Kirkus Reviews
