As a practical tool, Torah scrolls are outdated. Books and now the World Wide Web have easily eclipsed them in accessibility and ease of use. But, Torah scrolls have one big advantage – they serve as much better metaphors for how we should approach life.
- Focus only on what is immediately in front of us. Turning the scroll backward or forward is an arduous process and should only be done with great care.
- Preparation is key. With no vowels or punctuation, even trained readers need hours of practice before they are ready to read.
- It takes a team. Because of its complexity, the Torah should not be approached alone. Dressers, undressers, Gabbais (spotters), and leyners (readers) are just a few of the people you will need to be successful.
- Your life is not expendable. Unlike a book or a webpage that can be produced overnight, the Torah scroll takes up to a year to write and is often the most expensive possession a synagogue owns. It is not disposable.
This is just the list I compiled. Feel free to send me your own ideas. Looking forward to another year of Torah scrolling.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Alex