Obj. ID: 39391 Torah ark curtain, Algeria, circa 1900
sub-set tree:
The following description was prepared by William Gross: The parochet (Hebrew: פרוכת) is the curtain that covers the Aron Kodesh (Torah Ark) containing the Torah scrolls in a synagogue. The parochet symbolizes the curtain that covered the Ark of the Covenant, based on Exodus 40:21. "He brought the ark into the Tabernacle and placed the screening dividing curtain so that it formed a protective covering before the Ark..."
A truly magnificent Parochet made with more than 50 silver ornaments that are sewn to the velvet background cloth. Many of these silver pieces, especially the larger ones, carry silver marks from Algeria. The Parochet was dedicated by the Zaoui family for the exultation of the souls of seven members of the family who had passed away, including one couple and five invidvidual males. The family emigrated to Paris where they live today.
Inscription: Dedicated to the Lord (the) Parochet for the Holy Ark for the exaltation of the soul of the pleasant young man Ya'akov Zaoui and for the exaltation of the soul of Amar Zaoui and his wife and for the exaltation of the soul of Binyamin and Chaim Zaoui and for the exaltation of the soul of Shalom and Moshe Zaoui, May they rest in Eden, May their sould be bound up in the bond of life, Amen, May it be His will.