Glossary

The entries selection comes from the book “Dictionary of Judaica” (2005), which was written by a group of authors led by Eva Kosáková . Entries were further processed by Jaroslav Kuntoš, Dana Veselská, Olga Sixtová, Michaela Scheibová and Lenka Uličná. The book can be purchased at our e-shop.

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Torah pointer (Heb. yad)

An adornment for the Torah scroll* which serves to help follow the text when reading the scroll. When not in use, it hangs by a chain from the Torah scroll staves. Usually, it comprises several, variously executed parts: a pointing hand, divided stem and the individual dividing elements. The pointer takes the form of a human hand with outstretched index finger; the part of the stem that is held is usually engraved with a dedicatory inscription. The vast majority of pointers are made of silver, although some are of silver-plated copper or copper alloy. Pointers from poorer areas are often lathed or carved from wood. The usual length of pointers ranges between 20 and 30 centimetres.

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