Obj. ID: 37262 Torah pointer, Yemen, 1862
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The following description was prepared by William Gross:
The pointer used by the Torah reader to keep the place is known in European communities as the *yad, "hand," or the etẓba, "finger," and in Sephardi and Eastern communities as the moreh, "pointer," or kulmus, "quill," the former because of its function and the latter because of its shape. Halakhic sources also use the terms moreh or kulmus. The pointer was originally a narrow rod, tapered at the pointing end, usually with a hole at the other end through which a ring or chain could be passed to hang the pointer on the Torah scroll. An additional reason for using the pointer was to prevent the oily finger from touching the parchment and inked letter, something that would eventually cause severe deterioration.
The original form of the pointer was preserved in Eastern communities, the differences from one community to another being mainly in length and ornamentation. In certain communities, a hand with a pointing finger was added, and accordingly, the pointer came to be known as a yad, "hand," or eẓba, "finger." Pointers are made for the most part of silver or silver-plated brass, but in a few European communities, they used to be made of wood. In such cases, the pointers were carved in the local folk-art style.
The Yad in Yemen was a long, rather plain, rod for following the reading of the Torah. This is an early example with an inscription. The piece is gilded, but that is likely as a later addition. There are two names inscribed on the pointer, both deceased. They are in the same letters, so the piece was apparently dedicated to the memory of two people.
Inscription: Dedicated to the Lord for the soul of the aged teacher the honorable Rabbi Benjamin Eliezer The Rav Nissim Tzalach Matzliach, may he rest in Eden, passed away and buried the 4th of Cheshvan, the year (5)623 [1862], may his soul be bound up in the bond of life