Torah Dedication Sephardi Style
A new Torah was dedicated on Sunday at Congregation Etz Ahaim, a Sephardi Orthodox synagogue in Highland Park, New Jersey. Sephardim read the Torah with the Torah scroll in an upright position, whereas Ashkenazim read the Torah scrolls placed flat on the bimah (raised platform). So the Torah cases of the Sephardim are made out of fancy metal, and the Ashkenaz ones are typically embroidered cloth.
The happy occasion was in honor of a bat-mitzvah; the bat-mitzvah girl conducted the dedication, along with her grandmother. It was a lovely community affair, and children were in attendance, including some who got rather sleepy (such as my daughter) because the ceremony was happening at their bedtimes. When they brought out all the Torah scrolls, the children woke up, with all the lively singing and dancing.
Ilana-Davita says
This new Torah is magnifcent. I always feel like crying when the bar or bat-mitzvah goes round the shul with his or her grandparents. it is so moving.
Jew Wishes says
What beautiful photos...thank you for sharing them with us.
felisol says
The new Torah looks ancient and so very elaborate, beautiful.
I'm sure every tower, spike, pillar and sign have a spesifc meaning,- hidden to me of course.
I can only respect ad admire the complex and complete result, - a worthy house for the living word.
From Felisol
leoraw says
Really, I have just depicted the case in my photo, not the actual new Torah. But the words you use to describe the case are quite fitting for the Torah itself: "every tower, spike, pillar and sign have a specific meaning,- hidden to me of course." - and in some ways hidden to us all, until we study, and even then...
Mrs. S. says
Mazal tov! May the coming year be filled with smachot!
annie says
How rich in history and tradition this is. And having the young girl and grandmother together is very moving. Thanks so much for sharing this Leora.
lawstude says
the torah is so intricately pretty. thanks for sharing the pics.
Jientje says
Beautiful, the Torah as well as the ceremony.
ramblingwoods says
The case is really beautiful Leora...
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