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Obj. ID: 3595
Sacred and Ritual Objects
  Torah case wrapper, Tunisia, after 1919

© Center for Jewish Art, Photographer: Radovan, Zev, 1997

The rectangular Torah case wrapper is divided into a central vertical rectangle flanked by square panels.  

The central panel is adorned with a dedication embroidered in Hebrew square linear letters, which reads:

"למנוחת/ מורינו הרב/ הגדול/ החה"ש/ (החכם השלם) ראב"ד (ראש בית דין)/ מקודש/ כמהר"ר/ (כבוד מורנו הרב רבי) יוסף ברבי/ ז"ל (זכרונו לברכה)."

Translation: (Dedicated) for the repose of our teacher the Great Rabbi, the faithful and the wise man, the head of the rabbinical court, our honourable teacher and rabbi, Rabbi Joseph (Yoseph) Berabi, of blessed memory.” (See: Remarks).

The side panels are decorated with a flower comprised of four rhomboid petals emerging from a central circle and pointing toward the corners. The petals and the circle enclose floral patterns. Various motifs such as a rose and a sunflower are embroidered between the petals.

All sections are framed by strips with open hands (hamsa), crescent (hilal), and flower motifs.

Twelve hooks for hanging the wrapper on the Torah case are attached to the upper edge. 

Summary and Remarks

Joseph Berabi was an important rabbi and scholar in Djerba and Tunis. As mentioned in the dedication, he was the head of the High Court on the island from the end of the 19th century, until his death in 1919. Berabi composed several books, among them Yaldei Yoseph (the Children of Joseph) a book dedicated to morals and comments on the Mishnah (1919), and the three-volume book named: Ben Porat Yoseph, printed in Djerba in 1924 after his death.

Berabi was also the teacher of the famous scholar R. Khalfon HaCohen.

 

Remarks

1 image(s)

sub-set tree:

Name/Title
Torah case wrapper | Unknown
Object Detail
Al haf
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
after 1919 - late 1920s
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown
Origin
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period Detail
Collection
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Iconographical Subject
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Silk, cotton
Material Stucture
Cloth: silk bordeaux velvet
Material Decoration
silver threads in laid and couched embroidery
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
silver threads in laid and couched embroidery Foundation: cotton
Material Additions
industrial strip of wound gold and silver threads, fringes
Material Cloth
Material Lining
cotton in tabby
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
Height
Length
115 mm
Width
51 mm
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition
Intact
Extant
Documented by CJA
Surveyed by CJA
Present Usage
Present Usage Details
Condition of Building Fabric
Architectural Significance type
Historical significance: Event/Period
Historical significance: Collective Memory/Folklore
Historical significance: Person
Architectural Significance: Style
Architectural Significance: Artistic Decoration
Urban significance
Significance Rating
0
Ornamentation
Custom
Torah case wrapper
Contents
Codicology
Scribes
Script
Number of Lines
Ruling
Pricking
Quires
Catchwords
Hebrew Numeration
Blank Leaves
Direction/Location
Façade (main)
Endivances
Location of Torah Ark
Location of Apse
Location of Niche
Location of Reader's Desk
Location of Platform
Temp: Architecture Axis
Arrangement of Seats
Location of Women's Section
Direction Prayer
Direction Toward Jerusalem
Coin
Coin Series
Coin Ruler
Coin Year
Denomination
Signature
Colophon
Scribal Notes
Watermark
Hallmark
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Trade Mark
Binding
Decoration Program
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources
Type
Documenter
Sharon Weiser | 07.1997
Author of description
Efrat Assaf-Shapira | 02.2003
Architectural Drawings
|
Computer Reconstruction
|
Section Head
Ariella Amar | 02.2003
Language Editor
Dvora Sax | 10.2011
Donor
|
Negative/Photo. No.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |