History Of Miniature Sefer Torahs: Life And Genealogy Of A 20th Century European Jewish Family: The Jewish Religion

A Torah scroll is mainly used in the ritual of Torah reading during Jewish prayers. At other times, it is stored in the holiest spot within a synagogue, the Torah ark, which is usually an ornate curtained-off cabinet or section of the synagogue built along the wall that most closely faces Jerusalem, the direction Jews face when praying.

Readinh this book, you will know that this singular work stems from a double mystery which led the author to conduct a two-pronged investigation -- first was a fervent quest into the past of the miniature Sefer Torah discovered in his family in 2011 and into their history. And second, a systematic investigation into the realm of miniature sacred scrolls to illuminate the geographical and historical origin of his own.

The author met with many eminent figures in the small world of experts in Sifreh Torah, scholars and rabbis from different Jewish religious traditions, and university professors. He examined relevant documents in libraries and archives in several countries and corresponded with historians specialized in the field. His goal was to uncover the past of the miniature Sefer Torah, which is unsigned and undated.

The challenge here was to resolve a mystery and, in doing so, the author has given us a glimpse of the life and genealogy of a 20th century European Jewish family, while shedding light on the sacred book so central to Judaism as a whole.