Obj. ID: 36698  Luach - plaque for calling to the Torah, Amadiah, circa 1930

The following description was prepared by William Gross:

Among Kurdish congregations, the custom of awarding the privilege of Aliyah to the Torah was carried out using such a plaque.  The Gabbai would offer the plaque to a prospective reader.  If he agreed, he would take the proffered plaque and then return it to the Gabbai.  This example has the name of the donor and place engraved on the back and, unusually, the date as well. The custom is less used in Israel today. The lettering of the abbreviations of the Ten Commandments on the front of the plaque are engraved in the hollow letters typical of the region.

Inscription: 

Back: This plaque was dedicated by Nazzi bat Baton to the Holy Community of Amadiah, the year (5)685 [=1925], according to the minor reckoning

Front:  abbreviation for the Ten Commandments