Question How is the scroll kept?

Answer First, it is mounted on two generally wooden rollers, known as atzei hayyim ("trees of life"), so that it can be rolled back and forth to the appropriate place. It is then covered. In the Ashkenazic synagogue, the cover is generally made of cloth (most often velvet), and this slips over the atzei hayyim. When the Torah scroll is to be read, the cover is removed. In the Sephardic synagogue, on the other hand, the cover is solid and is made of wood or metal, with a base on which the Torah stands. With Sephardic Torah scrolls, the cover is permanently in place and swings open to reveal the text for the Torah reading. Whereas the Ashkenazic scroll is laid down horizontally on the bimah (see below) during the Torah reading, the Sephardic scroll rests vertically on its base throughout the Torah reading.

Question Are there any differences between the two types of scrolls beyond those mentioned above?

Answer Although there are over 300,000 letters in the Torah scroll, all Torah scrolls in the world are identical - well, almost identical. There is exactly one letter where there is a disagreement between the Ashkenazic and Sephardic versions, where the Ashkenazic version has the letter alef at the end of a certain word and the Sephardic version has the letter heh. As the letter is silent, there is no difference in pronunciation between the two versions. Great care is taken in ensuring the absolute accuracy of a Torah scroll, and if an error is found, the scroll can no longer be used for the Torah reading until the error has been corrected. In fact, if a total of three errors were found in a Torah scroll, it cannot be used any more until the entire text has been checked by a scribe for accuracy.

Question In the modern era, can't any of this process be mechanized?

Answer Indeed it can, and in the last few years a computer program was developed to do just that. The Torah scroll is scanned by an optical scanner, using special software which recognizes Torah script, and the text is then matched with the complete Torah text stored in the computer's memory. If there are discrepancies, such as missing letters or superfluous letters, the computer printout will reveal this.  

Question If the scanner is so accurate, why not have all Torah scrolls checked this way, rather than by scribes?

Answer Many years ago, when Israel built its first computer, it was dubbed "the golem," the golem being a mythical creature said to have been created by a medieval rabbi, who molded it out of clay and placed the Divine Name in its forehead. The golem is reputed to have carried out all types of actions for its master, but what it lacked, of course, was independent reasoning power. Thus the Israeli golem-computer was given that name because it was able to carry out various tasks, but only after having been instructed precisely what to do. The same problem arises with the computer which examines the Torah text. It can scan the letters and notice any discrepancies between the correct text and that of a given scroll - and in this it is definitely superior to any human being - but it cannot, for example, tell whether a given letter meets the halakhic requirements for that particular letter. Only a person who knows the law involved can make such decisions. (In fact, we should point out, even an expert in the field cannot always decide if a given letter is "kosher" or not. Thus, halakhah dictates that in certain cases of doubt, one must call in a child who has just begun to read and ask what the child thinks the letter is. The child's statement is then accepted as authoritative.) We may also mention, in passing, that the original golem was the source of a great deal of discussion among rabbis, and there are even learned responsa about whether it could be included in the required quorum of ten for prayer.

Question What are the different silver objects which are placed on Torah scrolls?

Answer Not all the objects used are silver, and other metals, wood or ivory are sometimes used. The Torah scroll that is used generally has what is called a yad ("hand"), or pointer hung on a chain and draped over the atzei hayyim. The yad is used to point to the text as it is read, so that one will not touch the parchment itself. Often, there will be a breastplate hanging over the front of the scroll, reminiscent of the Urim Ve'Tumim breastplate that was worn by the high priest in the Temple. Finally, above the atzei hayyim there is often a keter ("crown") which covers both, or two separate rimonim ("pomegranates"), which are meant to adorn the Torah scroll and show our veneration of it.