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Monthly Archives: January 2012
All About the Ink, Pen, Lines and Script of Mezuzahs, Tefillin and Torah Scrolls
Ink The main ingredients of the ink used by the scribe are; galls nuts/gallic acid derived from nuts; gum arabic; a resin substance and cooper vistrol (a bluish stone which gives the ink the blackness that is required).
The Knot of G-d’s Tefillin
The Five Books of Moses are divided into weekly portions and each Shabbat one portion is read, meaning that the Five Books of Moses get completed every year in the Synagogue. In the portion named Ki Tisa, the sin of … Continue reading
Removing Mezuzahs – Q&A
Q: I’m moving house. Can I remove the Mezuzahs from my old house? A: As a general rule, Mezuzahs should not be removed from doorposts, leaving the room(s) or house without a Mezuzah. Exceptions to this rule are when one … Continue reading
Jewish Names
In Jewish families, who names a baby? There are a number of opinions regarding who has the right to choose a name for a newborn child. According to many, including the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Radak and Alshich, the father chooses a … Continue reading
History & Customs Related to the Mezuzah
The Word Mezuzah The Hebrew word Mezuzah literally means “a doorpost.” The source of the word is not entirely clear. Traditionally, the word has been associated with the Hebrew root, “zuz,” meaning, “to move.” This word can be further traced … Continue reading
600,000 Letters in the Torah?
It is traditional to teach that there are 600,000 letters in a Torah scroll. However, if one were to count the letters, one actually finds that in a Torah scroll that are just over half of that amount- to be … Continue reading
Making a Torah
The Scribe Scribes of Torah scrolls are highly trained, well-learned and skillful people. In order to be a scribe of Torah scrolls, one must learn and know the laws pertaining to composing a Torah scroll perfectly. It is also of … Continue reading
The Importance of Writing Oneself in the Torah
The word Torah literally means “teaching” and refers to the Five Books of Moses or the overall body of Jewish religious teachings that encompasses the whole body of Jewish law, practice and tradition. The Torah is the Jewish guide to … Continue reading
The Color of the Tallit
One who is looking for a Tallit can be overwhelmed by the fantastic selection of colors available today on the market. It should be noted that there are no specific rules regarding what color a Tallit must be. The color … Continue reading
The Morning Hand-Washing Ritual in Judaism
A number of reasons are given for washing one’s hands upon awakening in the morning. Firstly, it is believed in Judaism that during the night as one sleeps the souls of the sleeping rise to heaven and draw renewed life … Continue reading