Obj. ID: 8658
  Sacred and Ritual  Torah case, Jerusalem, 1917

The cylindrical Torah case consists of a body, a crown and an apex.

The case is composed of two equal sections. A chequered cloth covers the body and the crown.

The cylindrical body is framed by friezes along its edges and openings. The horizontal friezes depict a row of  menoroth, stars of David, pomegranates and Tables of the Covenant. Each pair of Tables are surmounted by a burning candle and are flanked by shofaroth.The vertical friezes are alternatingly decorated with leaves and flowers. A square plaque is attached to each corner of the body’s front opening. It is decorated with a floral pattern.

A star of David composed of bands decorated with twisted branches is located in the center of each case’s section. Each star of David includes in its center a plaque in the shape of the Tables of the Covenant. The Tables of the Covenant are in the shape of rounded arches. A dedicatory inscription, in square letters,  is inscribed in the center of each Table. It begins on the case’s right section and continues on the left. On the right section the inscription has six lines, begins on the right Table and continues on the left. On the left section the inscription has five lines arranged similarly. The complete text of the inscription reads:

“ Dedicated to the Lord, from Eliezer Yosha for the exaltation of the soul of his late father Shmuel the son of Uru who passed away on 27 of the month Shevat the year (5)659 (=28.1.1899) and for the exaltation of Mrs. his mother Raina the daughter of Sol who passed away on 15 of the month Tevet the year (5)676 (=27.12.1916) and for Hana the daughter of Uru who passed away on 22 Kislev in the year (5)684 (=6.12.1924), may their souls be bound up in the band of live.”

The inscription is surmounted on each pair of Tables by a two passant lions regarding backwards and raising their tails. A linear star of David, which bears in its center the inscription “Zion”, is depicted on the bottom of each Table.

An onion-shaped crown surmounts the body. It comprises a main section and a crest. The main sections’ openings are framed by plain friezes. The crest, in the shape of a cut-cone, is decorated with a floral pattern and with two birds facing the front opening, one on each side.

A globular apex surmounts the crown. It consists of two equal hemispheric parts. A portruding ring horizontally encircles the apex. Conical bells hang from chains attached to the ring.

Two mounts are affixed to the crown, one on each side.

The inner surface of the body is covered by a pink cloth, under  which appears another cloth. It is decorated with green and red asiatic letters and [?], on a white background.

Two dedicatory plaques in the shape of ogee arches are attached to the inner surface of the crown. The inscription begins on the right plaque and continues on the left. It has six lines on each plaque, five horizontal topped by one rounded. The inscription is written in square letters and reads:

“With a good omen Crown of Torah [...] Mose commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob. This is the Torah scroll which I purchase to myself for the good memory to my name, servant of the Lord, Eliezer Yehosha, may the Lord sustain him and grant him favour, here, the Holy City of Jerusalem, may it be built and established speedily in our time, amen, and for the exaltation of the soul of Mr. my father Shmuel the son of Uru and for the exaltation of the soul of Mrs. my mother Raina the daughter of Sol, may they rest in the garden of Eden and the aquisition in [...] of the month Tishrei , the year (5)677 (=1917) [...].”

Two dedicatory plaques are attached to the interior surface of the apex. The inscription is arranged in horizontal lines, four on the right plaque and three on the left. It begins on the right plaque and reads:

“Crown of Torah dedicated to the Lord by Qadin (Qarin ?) Yosha, may the Lord sustain her (?) and grant her favour; Eliezer Yehosha, may the Lord sustain him and grant him favour.”