How to choose a Torah scroll

How to choose a Torah scroll

1. How much does a Torah scroll cost? What is the difference in the price of an Ashkenazi Torah scroll versus a Spanish Torah scroll?

Is there a difference in eluding between a Torah scroll with columns (245) and a Torah scroll with 247 columns?

Each Torah scroll has a different price/cost. Here are some explanations for this.

Writing a Torah scroll is not an assembly line. This is a craft that requires a lot of skills and abilities. Some writers write a Torah scroll a year and others do so in 8-9 months. Anyway, it's almost a year's work investment. Therefore, it is not possible to find a Torah scroll written in proper leisure and thoroughness, for less than 85,000 nis.

The price of the card alone, about 15,000 shekels. As mentioned above, we will add to this the months of work, proofreading and sewing, as well as taxation and VAT, and we will understand that writing an elegant Torah scroll should cost close to 130,000 shekels. If the asking price is very lower than this price, shortcuts may be made or no proper cutting is done.

The gaps in the prices of the Torah scroll also stem from the quality of the writing and its size and the seniority of the author and his skills. An Ashkenazi Torah scroll is written at a slower rate and therefore its price should be more expensive than a Spanish Torah scroll of the same quality.

Regarding the number of columns in the Torah scroll or the number of sheets

There's no difference I went to. Today most of the Torah scrolls are written on the Ramah Columns. Those who add columns allow themselves more spacious writing in the Genesis fives and names.

Even the prevailing method by which most columns of the Torah scroll begin with the letter "F" according to the implying "wee of the pillars" is not compiled, and according to some of the arbiters it is appropriate not to even observe it, because it often requires compressing words in a row or vice versa, in order to regulate the letter F to the top of the page.

 2. How do I know the quality of the type offered to me? How do I know if the writing is Ashkenazi, Hasidic, or Spanish?

The differences are known to any writer and you can also easily get a page with a letter image according to the formulas. See here in the picture on the left.

It is a good idea to take the manuscript sample of the Torah scroll/mezuzah/tefillin, to someone neutral who knows and understands this. You can get an opinion at the Institute that makes proofs of the totality, or with an old writer or rabbi who understands something. And as far as err card is concerned.  There is currently no production of err card.

Today you can get a photocopy of a passage from a Torah scroll via e-mail and be impressed by the quality of the writing.

3. A Torah scroll at the end of the lines has 'tense' letters written in it Is it a more handsome book?

No, no, no A professional writer designs his writing so that the letters are as uniform as possible. The phenomenon you raise stems from insecurity or insecurity. An unskilled writer, narrows down his writing at the beginning of the line, and towards the end of it he is 'forced' to stretch letters to fill in the line. That is, stretching letters is a constraint or even a certain amount of snout. There are places where the stretching of letters is a built-in constraint. Like singing listen.

4.If a Spanish Torah scroll is obligated to have a crate/ bag or can it also be attached to trees of life?

Many Spanish communities in the world continue today, reading a Spanish Torah scroll with trees of life and there is no prevention from the custom. In Israel it is very common to have a Spanish Torah scroll in a designed box.

5. What is the difference between a Torah scroll written on a 55 cm card and a Torah scroll written on a shorter card?

Writing a 'high' Torah scroll allows, or 'requires' writing in 'relatively thick' capital letters, compared to a 'low' Torah scroll written in lowercase letters. Some prefer it and some prefer it. The price of the card has a certain but quite negligible difference in relation to the total cost, however the rate of writing is faster. Thickened letters, survive longer over years. On the other hand, there is a significant impact on the total weight of the Torah scroll and the book case and its price. In the place of an older population, the weight of the Torah scroll is of great importance.

6. What are the differences between the types of card? Why do some Sefer Torah sheeting have dark spots on the back?

The card processed to write a Torah scroll is not a 'serial' product. A processed sheet of card from the back skin of a calf. The writing is performed on the inside of the sheet/card. Some types are processed to a 'velvety' level and there are rough types in one crude or another. This affects the speed of writing and the quality of type and letters. There are very thin sheets and yet there are very thick sheets and of course intermediate modes. Sometimes a combination of everything can be found in one seed. A skilled writer spends a lot of time choosing the right sheet for him. There is a writer who prefers a velvety surface and another prefers rough or smooth.

The stains visible in the sheeting are the 'pigments' of the color of the calf's back hairs. If it is speckled brown or speckled with black, it turns out that this is also evident at the base of the skin. Usually the speckled and gray sheets are better quality. A writer who writes with transparency at a light table prefers an entirely white sheet to allow him to see the letters in the transparency beneath the sheet of the card.

7. What's Better? A renovated Torah scroll or a new Torah scroll? Ready-made Torah scroll or Torah scroll to be written to order?

If you have a suitable budget, it is understandable that an initial priority for a new Torah scroll. A ready-made Torah scroll now allows you to see and receive the finished 'product', however the Torah scroll on order, allows you to choose all the parameters that are convenient for you, in advance. You can also perform a status/ceremony, starting to write a Torah scroll. I hear Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu recommends doing so. In this position, inviting the author to be his messenger for the performance of the Torah scroll writing team. The booker also makes sure that the author says in his mouth at the beginning of writing the book: " I write this Torah scroll, for the sanctity of the Torah scroll and all the memorials in it for the sanctity of the name of God."

An old Torah scroll that has been renovated, still remains written on an old card or even perhaps, lying in lime and the repairs made there are evident and more will be recognized later. On the face of it, it seems that those who do not have the right budget to buy a new Torah scroll, it is better to invest what little they have in other things such as pomegranates for the Torah scroll or a box for the Torah scroll, a crown for the Torah scrolls, etc.

8. What is better, to buy a Torah scroll from a decent merchant or directly from a writer?

Purchasing a new Torah scroll from a decent trader should be the cheapest and most optimal correct for you.

Buying a Torah scroll is a very complex task in every way, both financially and emotionally. Usually those who order a Torah scroll do so once in their life and therefore have no understanding of the matter either. Under the circumstances, it is possible to cult legs and not reach the purpose. On the other hand, a reliable trader (how do you know he is decent? Buying through a merchant should not prevent you from knowing who the author is. You will usually get his name and you can even meet him. A total writer who won't be exposed, most likely, who's not registered with the IRS.

It's very likely that the price you pay the merchant won't be higher than the price you were supposed to pay the supermarket. Many writers prefer to write and leave the sale work to a professional trader and pay him for his services. Many also write in advance for their 'dealer' and even receive advances from them. On the other hand, you have reached the destination easily and in return for your investment.If the trader is busy writing himself, there is a combination of knowledge, halacha and professionalism here.

There are also intermediate situations: after receiving proper advice according to what you expected, the merchant will refer you to the ordering at Super Setam that he recommended to you.

9. Should I write a contract to buy a Torah scroll? Where can I find a suitable form?

As with any significant purchase it is highly desirable that everything be in writing in advance. Here on the site you will find a form/contract prepared for those who purchase a Torah scroll. See also other things here at Sefer Torah Buyer's Tips.

10. Where can I engrave a dedication on a silver disc for snapping on living trees? What's the estimated cost of that? How much are 'trees of life'?

There are several artists who do this, contact us and we will give you an address. The average cost (depending on how many discs you order, and how many letters are etched) per Torah scroll is about 1000 nis+.

The price for living trees: approx. 1000 nis (depending on size, quality, etc.).

We will be happy to provide you with any advice and service regarding Torah scrolls and related products. Make an appointment and/or forward a type sample by email.

11. If you must do a Ceremony for the Introduction of the Torah Scroll? Do we have to have a feast? Do you have to have an orchestra, torches, etc.

Writing a Torah scroll and putting the book in the hall, it is an important mitzvah and it has the joy of a mitzvah it is customary to have mitzvah joy at the banquet at least as at the end of a mask. There are different formulas for text that are said in the introduction of a Torah scroll. However, there is no obligation to hold a procession or hire orchestra services. A modest ceremony can be done in coordination with the synagogue administration. 

With us in Efraim Judaica experts in all matters of the Torah scroll and all accompanying to him called us and we will give you a free consultation before buying a Torah scroll Contact us now