The Mizrahi Torah Scroll
Description
The scroll in the Library’s Special Collections is a complete Mizrahi (Middle eastern Jewish tradition) Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, handwritten on calf skin. Based on an analysis of the materials and handwriting, the scroll was copied in Yemen, c. 1750. The scroll was constructed from 50 calfskins sewn together. If unrolled in its entirety, it would be 80 feet long.
The text has about 860 noted corrections, most being corrections to the form of letters. Special formats of spacing in the text are evident, which indicate important passages, such as the ten commandments, the song of Moses, and the priestly blessing. Each of the books ends exactly four lines short of the full 51 lines of the previous full columns, an amazing feat of scribal planning.
The Torah was a gift to Regent University in 2016 from Ken and Barbara Larson. At the presentation ceremony in the Shaw Chapel, Mrs. Larson stated “Our goal with this Torah is that it will not be put away, but it will be used, loved and cared for. We’re grateful to give this gift to you, and we bless you for what you’ve created here and for your love of God’s word.”
The Ten Commandments
Exodus 20:1-17
One of several Torah passages inscribed in a special format.