TORAH
ORNAMENTS
Further
examples of the dignity and honor accorded to the TORAH, are the ornaments
which adorn the TORAH scroll as it stands in the HEYCHAL. These are examples
of some of the TORAH (SIFREY TORAH) topped or embellished by RIMONIM (finials),
K’TARIM (crowns), TAS (breastplate), two types of mantles and a YAD (pointer)
leaning on the third scroll from the left.
Traditionally:
one scroll is read on SHABBAT, two on holidays and three on a minor holiday
that falls on a SHABBAT- such as the intermediate SHABBAT of HANUKKAH when
it coincides with the first day of the Jewish month of TEVET.
The
YAD is removed by the person opening the HEYCHAL and is given to the presiding
officer to carry to the TEBAH. At the end of the service it is replaced
after the TORAH has been returned to the HEYCHAL. The TORAH mantles or
covers (called CAPAS by our forefathers), are made of various materials
and have either no design at all (Spanish-Portuguese Sephardic style),
or bear symbols such as the lions of Judah, the Ten Commandments, etc.
(Ashkenazi-Eastern European style).The tradition was that these mantles
were either hand embroidered on Curaçao or brought especially from
Amsterdam. Traditional Sephardic styles were flowing mantles with a slit
in the rear and fringed on the front and back. The sixth mantle is a plain
velvet cover with fringing on the top and at the bottom. Mantles are usually
donated. Although not a Sephardic custom, the name of the synagogue or
even the name of the donor is sometimes embroidered on the mantle.
The
HEYCHAL of the SNOA has mantles in many colors. Local custom prescribes
the use of specific colors for various holidays. This refers not only to
the outer mantles and the bands used to bind the scrolls, but also to the
covers draped over the SHULCHAN and the small lectern at the front of the
TEBAH. Red is usually the color for SHABBAT. Other examples are: green
for the “Pilgrim Festivals: PESACH (Passover), CABANA, SUKKOT or Tabernacles)
and SHAVUOT (The Giving of the Law); dark blue for TISHA B’AV and white
for ROSH HASHANAH and YOM KIPPUR. The colored mantles are required only
for the SIFREY TORAHs that are to be read on that day. Every scroll is
in white during the High Holy Days; even the buntings and linings inside
the HEYCHAL are changed from the usual red, to immaculate white to symbolize
the purity and holiness of the “Days of Awe”. (ALP)
| The
Thebah | The
Heychal | Benches
and Chairs
Illumination | The Organ | “Levantar” | The Torah | The Banca Crowns and Breastplate | Finials | Ceremonial Silver for other Occasions |
|
|
|
All Rights Reserved. |
