The scroll of Torah (the five books of Moses) is the holiest text in Judaism. The scroll must be hand-written using a special form of Hebrew script called stam, an acronym formed from the first letters of the words “Sefer Torah” (Torah scroll), “tefillin” (phylacteries) and “mezuzah”. It is necessary to write the scroll on a specially prepared parchment with permanent black ink. Respect for the name of God and for the Torah scroll is also reflected in the number of accessories that protect and adorn it. The scroll is tied together by a Torah binder, covered by a mantle, provided with a pointer, and adorned with a shield, finials and crown. It is kept in the holy ark (aron ha-kodesh) in the synagogue. The Torah scroll can only be touched indirectly – with a ceremonial pointer or with a corner of the tallit (prayer shawl). Textiles that are in direct contact with the scroll become sacred objects themselves through their proximity to the Torah, which is why they require genizah. These include primarily the Torah binder, which comes into direct contact with the scroll, but also the Torah mantle and the covering of the bimah (a raised platform with a reading desk from which the scroll is read).
