Bracha Yaniv
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- February 2021
- ISBN:
- 9781906764180
- eISBN:
- 9781800343320
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Liverpool University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3828/liverpool/9781906764180.003.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Judaism
This chapter traces the evolution of ceremonial synagogue textiles, which is closely related to that of the Torah scroll, particularly the way in which it was wrapped and the space in which it was ...
More
This chapter traces the evolution of ceremonial synagogue textiles, which is closely related to that of the Torah scroll, particularly the way in which it was wrapped and the space in which it was stored. This process of evolution began during the Second Temple period and came to an end in the early fifth century, when the method of writing Torah scrolls was set. The wrapping of a Torah scroll is mentioned in the Talmud and the Mishnah in a variety of contexts, including the different levels of sanctity. These sources, together with archaeological finds from antiquity, provide the basis for a reconstruction of how the Torah scroll was wrapped in the ancient period. The chapter then looks at the evolution of the Torah scroll's mapah — wrapper, binder, and mantle — in Ashkenaz (France and the German lands), and in Italy and Spain. It also considers the parokhet and the cloth used to cover the reading desk (bimah, or tevah), which is one of the most ubiquitous ceremonial objects in the synagogue.Less
This chapter traces the evolution of ceremonial synagogue textiles, which is closely related to that of the Torah scroll, particularly the way in which it was wrapped and the space in which it was stored. This process of evolution began during the Second Temple period and came to an end in the early fifth century, when the method of writing Torah scrolls was set. The wrapping of a Torah scroll is mentioned in the Talmud and the Mishnah in a variety of contexts, including the different levels of sanctity. These sources, together with archaeological finds from antiquity, provide the basis for a reconstruction of how the Torah scroll was wrapped in the ancient period. The chapter then looks at the evolution of the Torah scroll's mapah — wrapper, binder, and mantle — in Ashkenaz (France and the German lands), and in Italy and Spain. It also considers the parokhet and the cloth used to cover the reading desk (bimah, or tevah), which is one of the most ubiquitous ceremonial objects in the synagogue.
Bracha Yaniv
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- February 2021
- ISBN:
- 9781906764180
- eISBN:
- 9781800343320
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Liverpool University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3828/liverpool/9781906764180.001.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Judaism
Richly illustrated and meticulously documented, this is the first comprehensive survey of synagogue textiles to be available in English. The book records their evolution from ancient times to the ...
More
Richly illustrated and meticulously documented, this is the first comprehensive survey of synagogue textiles to be available in English. The book records their evolution from ancient times to the present. It contains a systematic consideration of the mantle, the wrapper, the Torah scroll binder, and the Torah ark curtain and valance, and considers the cultural factors that inspired the evolution of these different items and their motifs. Fabrics, techniques, and modes of production are described in detail; the inscriptions marking the circumstances of donation are similarly subjected to close analysis. Fully annotated plates demonstrate the richness of the styles and traditions in use in different parts of the Jewish diaspora, drawing attention to regional customs. Throughout, emphasis is placed on presenting and explaining all relevant aspects of the Jewish cultural heritage. The concluding section contains transcriptions, translations, and annotations of some 180 inscriptions recording the circumstances in which items were donated, providing a valuable survey of customs of dedication. Together with the comprehensive bibliography, inventory lists, and other relevant documentation, this volume will be an invaluable reference work for the scholarly community, museum curators, and others interested in the Jewish cultural heritage.Less
Richly illustrated and meticulously documented, this is the first comprehensive survey of synagogue textiles to be available in English. The book records their evolution from ancient times to the present. It contains a systematic consideration of the mantle, the wrapper, the Torah scroll binder, and the Torah ark curtain and valance, and considers the cultural factors that inspired the evolution of these different items and their motifs. Fabrics, techniques, and modes of production are described in detail; the inscriptions marking the circumstances of donation are similarly subjected to close analysis. Fully annotated plates demonstrate the richness of the styles and traditions in use in different parts of the Jewish diaspora, drawing attention to regional customs. Throughout, emphasis is placed on presenting and explaining all relevant aspects of the Jewish cultural heritage. The concluding section contains transcriptions, translations, and annotations of some 180 inscriptions recording the circumstances in which items were donated, providing a valuable survey of customs of dedication. Together with the comprehensive bibliography, inventory lists, and other relevant documentation, this volume will be an invaluable reference work for the scholarly community, museum curators, and others interested in the Jewish cultural heritage.
