Obj. ID: 9174
Sacred and Ritual Objects  Torah case, Israel/Eretz Israel, 1921

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

The  ten-faceted body is covered with a faded blue cloth. Bands frame the case at the upper and lower borders,  opening and back. A Star of David composed of similar bands decorates each side of the case.

An onion-shaped crown surmounts the body. It is covered with a new blue cloth.

Similar bands decorate the crown, framing it at the bottom and top, and crossing it along the opening, back and both of the sides. Two mounts for the finials are affixes to the crown on the both side bands.

A bud-shaped apex surmounts the crown.

The inner face of the body is covered with a cloth decorated with a pattern of building and ships. A similar cloth covers the upper inner border of the body’s left half, while a dedicatory parchment band is attached on the right upper border. The inscription in square filled letters is arranged in two horizontal lines and reads:

             “This is the Torah scroll dedicated to the Lord, also for the exaltation of the soul  of Gioia daughter of  Gintil may she rest in Eden, 7th of Tishrei, year (5)704 (=24.9.1944), may her soul be bound in the bound of life.”  

Two mirror plaques are attached to the interior surface of the crown. A portal portruding from a wall is depicted on the center on each side. It is composed of  two corinthian capitals which support an entablature (a lintel ?) which frame an inner rounded arch. Above it is depicted Mount Moriah with the Dome of the Rock, the symbols of Jerusalem. Two dedicatory rounded plaques are inserted into the portal’s arches, each bearing an inscription in square filled letters. The right inscription is arranged in ten horizontal lines and  reads:

              “And this is the law wich Moses set before the children of Israel. (Deut. 4:44)  Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob. (Deut. 33:4) She is a tree of life to them that lay upon her, and happy is every one that retaineth her. (Prov. 3:18) Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her path are peace. (Prov. 3:17) (?)”

The left inscription is arranged in eleven horizontal lines and reads:

             “This is the Torah scroll which was dedicated by Mrs. Gintil Stahon, blessed  above women (see: Judg. 5:24), for the exaltation of the soul of her husband  Ioseph son of Esther may he rest in Eden, 29th Elul, year (5)670 (=20.9.1910) and for the exaltation of the soul of her son who passed away with days and years cut off Rafael son of Gintil passed away in 9th Elul year (5)681 (=2.9.1921) may his soul be bound up in the bond of life and this was with through the good offices her daughter Mrs.Gioia Da’ar she will be blessed about women of the tent.”