A Torah Is Written

by Paul Cowan

Describes the training, the materials, and the tools of Jewish scribes and the process used to transcribe handwritten Torah scrolls, as shown in the work of Rabbi Yehuda Clapman

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1986

Reviews

[Margaret Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book I have owned for years and have used on weeks with things like The World Wide Wrap about tefilin or a lesson in Hebrew calligraphy which I usually teach with V'ahavta and mezuzah. Or when a scribe, or sofer is actually coming to visit. In previous years it has worked well. Today, I reached for it again and was touched that it was written by Paul and Rachel Cowan. It seemed beshert, since the last book I reviewed was also by now Rabbi Rachel Cowan, now also my friend. But as I read it in advance it seemed dated. Nonetheless, it worked. The kids now are looking forward to a more modern scribe coming to teach Hebrew calligraphy. Yet, the techniques that Rachel and Paul describe are ancient. My advice, go ahead and use it, even though it seems dated, and pair it with a video of someone like Soferet Julie Seltzer and even better--a visit from a real scribe.