|
The word Torah means ‘law’ or ‘teachings’, and is the name given to a collection of five books (or scrolls) which make up the first part of the Jewish Bible, the Tanakh. The Torah provides the Jewish people with a better understanding of G-d and of how He expects them to live.
Jews believe the Torah to be the direct revelation of G-d, so it is treated with great respect. To show this respect, a crown often covers the top of each Torah scroll, and each may have a gilded breastplate. The scrolls are also covered in a decorative fabric called a mantle, which usually has a crown embroidered upon it. These features emphasise the regal nature of G-d’s words, which the scrolls contain.
|
