SEFER TORAH

also spelled Sepher Torah (Hebrew: Book of the Law), in Judaism, the first five books of the Old Testament written in Hebrew by a qualified calligrapher (sofer) on vellum or parchment and enshrined in the ark of the Law (aron ha-qodesh) in synagogues. The Sefer Torah is used for public readings during services on Sabbaths, Mondays, Thursdays, and religious festivals. While Sephardic (Spanish-rite) Jews often enclose the Sefer Torah in a case of wood or metal, Ashkenazi (German-rite) Jews generally cover it with an ornate mantle of cloth, with ritual ornaments attached. In Sephardic congregations the Sefer Torah is displayed to the congregation before the reading of the Law, but among Ashkenazim this occurs only after the daily reading has been completed. Torah scrolls are removed and returned to the ark with a solemnity that reflects deep reverence for the Word of God.