Jewish 101: Torah Scroll

What Is a Torah Scroll?

A Torah scroll, in Hebrew called a Sefer Torah, is a handwritten copy of the first five books of the Bible, Genesis through Deuteronomy. Scrolls were the standard format for scripture in ancient times. From the days of Moses through the second temple period, sacred texts were written on scrolls and read aloud in public gatherings.

That tradition continues today. In every synagogue, the Torah is read directly from a scroll during weekly and holiday services, not from a printed book, to preserve both the form and the sanctity of the original practice.

How a Torah Scroll Is Written

The process of writing a Torah scroll is slow and meticulous. Every letter must be formed with exact precision, following generations of tradition. It is written in Hebrew on parchment made from the skin of a kosher animal, using special ink and a quill, by a trained scribe known as a sofer.

If even a single letter is cracked, smudged, or missing, the scroll cannot be used until it is repaired.

Honoring the Scroll

Torah scrolls are kept in a special cabinet in the synagogue called the Aron HaKodesh, the holy ark, and are often adorned with coverings, crowns, or breastplates. When they are taken out, it is done with honor, song, and procession.

When a scroll becomes too old or damaged to repair, it is not thrown away. Instead, it is buried in a special genizah, a sacred storage place, or laid to rest in a respectful ceremony.

Each Torah scroll is a living symbol of continuity and of the deep reverence the Jewish people have held for the word of God across thousands of years.