Obj. ID: 39326  Torah case wrapper, Tunisia, circa 1930

The following description was prepared by William Gross:

Circumcision for the Jewish male is commanded by the Torah to be performed eight days after the birth of the male child. Surrounding this custom are many different types of objects for use on that day.

This textile was made for use as a cover with which to wrap the Torah Tik, as was used in Tunisia. This example carries a dedication in honor of Eliyahu Hanavi, the figure most commonly associated with the Brit Milah. This cloth wrap was probably put around the Torah Tik that was taken from the Torah ark for the performance of the circumcision ceremony in the synagogue. If the ceremony was performed at home, often a Torah scroll from the synagogue would be brought there. The textile was prepared and dedicated in memory of the woman Mathilda Tawil. The symbols embroidered on the cloth, using the unusual technique of sequins, include the amuletic symbols of fish, a key and the hamsa, which is formed from blue sequins and really serves as the central symbol of the textile.

Inscription: Lichvod Eliyahu ha-Navi Zachur le-Tov…. In memory of Matilda Tawil