Obj. ID: 293
Sacred and Ritual Objects Torah Case (Libya, 1863)
The wooden Torah^case consists of a ten-faceted body and a coronet. Two pairs of faceted annulets encircle the upper and lower borders of the body. Between the annulets of the upper borders is a silver frieze. Silver knobs for hanging the Torah case wrapper encircle the upper border. The knobs bear the letters: ש"ל )שלום לביא( An inlaid silver band bearing a foliate pattern, frames both sides of the case's opening. A rectangular silver plaque is attached at both sides of the case's opening. In an arch is a dedicatory inscription, which is surrounded by foliate pattern. Above the arch on both sides of the case opening is a fish. A silver floral base for the clasps is attached above each side of the plaque.
Two pairs of hinges are in the back of the case. The inner face is plain wood. The hollow bottom has rectangular hand holders. The hollow top is decorated with eight arches on each side. Two insert holes for the rods are at the top of the case. The coronet is ten-faceted. Each facet is decorated with symmetrical openwork lily motif within an arch. The dedicatory inscription is engraved in square linear letters. The first word spans both plaques and reads:
ב"ע"ה"ו )בעזרת השם וישועתו( With the Lord's help and salvation. It continues on the right plaque and reads: לקוח את ##ספר התורה הזה ##בגיל וחדוה ##כי נר מצוה ##ותורה אור ##משמ"יח שלום ##כה אמר ה"##כתבו לכם ## וקחו ממעשה ##ידיכם תורה ##החיים והשלום ## כ"י"ר"א" )כן יהי רצון אמן(
It continues on the left side of the plaque, and reads:
רוח אלהים ## למשה לאשר ## פעל ועשה ## המו"ן )המשכיל והנבון( הר ## שלום לביא ## יצו" )ישר צדיק ונאמן( בן מרדכי ## יזיי"א )יראה זרע יאריך ימים אמן( זרע ## השלום שנת ידבר שלום##אל ליצי"רה ## וישם לך שלום ## א"נ"ס"ו" )אמן נצח סלה ועד(
"Take this book of the law (Deut.31:26)## with delight and gladness ## for the commandment is a lamp and the Law is light(Prov.6:23) ## ? ## those saith the Lord (Ex.4:22) ## therefore write you (Deut.31:19) Take from the works of your hands## the law of the life and peace(Malachi 2:5)## may it be his will amen (int.) " The spirit of God ##of Moses who## hath wrought and done## the learned and the wise the Rabbi (int.) ## Shalom Lavi ## may his Rock protect and sustain him (int.)son of Mordecai he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days (Isa.53:10) amen, seed ## the peace ##the year (5)623=(1863) (date based on Ps.85:9## and give thee peace (Num.6:26)## amen, evermore, selah amen (int.)"
