Obj. ID: 10955
Sacred and Ritual Objects Torah Case, Jerusalem, 1964
The cylindrical Torah case is composed of a body, a coronet, a crown, and an apex and is divided into two vertical halves.
The cylindrical body is surmounted by a coronet that continues its shape. Each half of the body bears the Tables of the covenant inscribed with the beginning of the Ten Commandments arranged five on each side, set upon a floral background. An arch bearing the Hebrew inscription: "כתר תורה"- "The Crown of Torah" tops the tables. A vase with flowers flanked by two scrolls is set bellow the tables. Two cartouches enclosing a vase with flowers flank the Tables. They are surmounted upon an additional vase and topped by a Star of David enclosing the word "ציון"-"zion". Each half of the body is framed by two strips: the interior one is wavy while the exterior one is smooth. Two inscribed friezes encircle the top and bottom of the body. It is written in square filled letters arranged in one line that reads clockwise:
The upper inscription reads:
"וזאת התורה אשר שם משה לפני בני ישראל (דברים ד 44)/תורה צור לנו משה מורשה קהלת יעקב (דברים לג 4)"
"And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel (Deuteronomium 4: 44)/ Moses commanded us a law even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob (Deuteronomium 33: 4)".
The lower inscription reads:
"עץ חיים היא למחזיקים בה ותומכיה מאושר (משלי ג 18)/ דרכיה דרכי נועם וכל נתיבותיה שלום (משלי ג 17)"
"She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her (Proverbs 3: 18)/ Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace (Proverbs 3: 17)".
A dome- shaped crown surmounts the body. It is decorated with alternating strips of interlacing branches and heart-shaped leaves that radiate from the top. The dome is mounted upon a circumferential strip bearing a Hebrew inscription arranged in one line that starts on one half and continues to the other. It reads:
"כי מציון תצא תורה/ודבר ה' מירושלים" (מיכה ד 2).
"For the law shall go forth of Zion, an the word of the Lord from Jerusalem" (Micah 4: 2)
Two staves for finials radiate from both sides of the crown.
An undulating apex that consists of three parts tops the Torah case. The bottom conical unit bears a Star of David enclosing the Hebrew word: "ציון"-"Zion", surrounded by a floral motif. Floral motifs decorate the protruding ring and the lower part of the upper unit. A whorl of leaves radiate from the top of the apex. Eight chains with bells are inserted through loops set around the upper unit of the apex.
The coronet is composed of twelve facets shaped like a trefoil each bearing the signs of the sons of Jacob enclosed within an oval medallion. The medallions are flanked by two stems with leaves radiating from an open flower at the top of the arch. Below the medallions is the name of the tribe, written in square outline letters.
The inner surface of the body is covered with blue velvet, and is framed by a silver strip. The upper horizontal strip bears a Hebrew inscription written in square filled letters arranged in one line that starts on one half and continues on the other. It reads:
"ברכו את ה' המבורך-ברוך ה' המבורך לעו' (לעולם) ועד" (ברכה בעליה לתורה)
"Bless the Lord who is blessed/blessed be the Lord who is blessed forever and ever" (benediction before reading the Torah).
A plaque bearing the artist's signature is attached to the strip on the left half of the case. The inscription is written in square outline letters arranged in four lines that read:
"ביצוע העבודה/ באבא בן יחזקאל/רחובות הבוכרים 9 /ירושלים"
"This work was produced by Baba ben Ezekiel, 9 Habucharim St. Jerusalem"
The crown and the apex are covered with a silver plate. A rectangular inscribed plaque is at the center of both sides of the crown. The inscription is written in square linear letters arranged in four lines.
The right side reads:
"מאיר בן וידה ט"ו אלול/תרע"ח מלכה בת אסתר ט'/ ניסן תשכ"א רחל בת מלכה/יג' שבט תשכ"ד תנצב"ה (תהיה נשמתן צרורה בצרור החיים)"
Meir son of Vida The 15th of Elul (5)678 (10.8.1918), Malka daughter of Esther the 9th of Nissan (5)721 (26.3.1961), Rachel daughter of Malka The 13th of Shevat (5)724 (27.1.1964) may their souls be bound up in the bond of life"
The left side reads:
"יעמדו על הברכה האחיות/ויקטוריה לוי שושנה ויוסף/ג'יראסי הי"ו (ה' יחזקן וישמרן) השתדלו/בהענקת ספר תורה זה"
The blessed (?) sisters Victoria Levi Shoshana and Joseph Jirasi may the Lord sustain and protect them, Through the good offices of the dedicators of this Torah scroll".
Two stems with leaves radiate from the top of the head and terminate in two clusters of grapes on both sides of the plaque. Two winding branches with leaves terminating in an open flower are below the plaque.
The apex bears the Tables of the Covenant inscribed with the first ten letters of the Alphabet marking the Ten Commandments, topped by a crown. The Hebrew letter "ה" marking the name of the Lord surmounts the crown. It is topped by a floral motif composed of two winding stems with leaves.
Cylindrical cases with coronets composed of facets are known among the Lybian Torah cases, from the 20th century. The decoration and especially the depictions of the tribes are unique and do not appear on the Lybian cases. The name of the artist indicates a Persian Jew.
sub-set tree:
Structure: cut, hammered
Decoration: chased, punched, engraved
Bonding: nailed, soldered. hinges, hooks
Inscription: engraved. chased
Staves: silver covered wood
Diameter: 32.4 cm (body), 22.1 cm (crown).