Sefer Torah
Sefer Torah (Holy Book of the Torah) refers to a hand-written copy of the Jewish Torah that meets extremely strict standards of production.
Production
A Sefer Torah (plural: Sifrei Torah) is written in ink with a quill on animal skin ("parchment"). Producing a Sefer Torah fulfills one of the 613 mitzvot, or Jewish commandments, that instructs that all Jews should write a copy of the Torah.
It contains 304,805 Hebrew letters, all of which much be duplicated by a trained Sofer (plural: Sofrim) precisely, an effort which requires approximately one and a half years. Any error during inscription renders the Sefer Torah invalid ("posul"). Modern Sefer Torahs are written with 42 lines of text per column, and observe very strict rules about the position and appearance of the Hebrew characters. Any of several Hebrew scripts may be used, but usually complex and elegant calligraphy is employed. A completed Sefer Torah will often be given ornamental breastplates, scrolls, protective cloths, and occaisionally, a crown.
In modern times, many Jews choose to pay a trained Sofer to complete a Sefer Torah on their behalf or for a special occaision, a product which sometimes sells for tens of thousands of United States Dollars.
The use of parchment has allowed some Sefer Torahs of antiquity to survive intact over 800 years.
Usage
Reading from a Sefer Torah is usually reserved for Shabbat (the Sabbath) and special holidays, and following the often dense text is aided by a yad, a metallic finger-shaped pointing device that protects the scrolls by avoiding unnecessary contact of the skin with the parchment.
Introduction of a new Sefer Torah into a synagogue is often accompanied by celebratory dancing, singing, and prayer.
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