The Blessing of a New Scroll

Our new Torah scroll is such a blessing… In December, as I chanted verses from Miketz from the old scroll, I realized that next week, we will have a dedication for the new scroll. And then, every Shabbat to follow, the new scroll will be read from and will have that place of honor. The old one will be used only on holidays from now on. Suddenly, it was a tender moment for me, because I did not realize that I would be the last reader before the transition.

Now, as I write this, next Saturday is our first Bar Mitzvah with this new scroll. As I was preparing the scroll, I realized anew that I did not have to worry about the text on the old leather; it would be perfect, legible, and easy to read. That is the blessing of a younger scroll. Plus, because it is slightly smaller, it will be easier to lift and carry.

We dedicated our new scroll on Hanukkah. Young people carried the chuppah as the congregation marched all over our property following the new scroll. I felt a little bit like David, happily pacing ahead of the scroll and guiding the entire procession through the parking lot and navigating it through doorways. Everyone watched as we read the final sentences of Deuteronomy and then rolled the new scroll to the very beginning to read from Genesis. It was such a happy occasion. And as I showed off special scribal ornamentation, not just me, but everyone who came up to the bimah could now appreciate the beauty of handwritten letters, mastery and care of the scribe who added decoctions to certain letters.

It is my prayer that this scroll will last us for generations, and I am grateful to everyone who contributed towards its purchase to make this blessing possible.