Critter Crackers: Sofer [Paperback]

Eric Ray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1995 | Age Level: 9 and up

A Jewish scribe explains in detail how he shapes the Hebrew letters he uses in transcribing the Torah and how he prepares the scrolls themselves.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Ritual objects provide windows into the soul of a people. Jewish tradition views the making of such items-specifically those that contain the words of God-as a holy act. Unfortunately, the tradition of the Hebrew scribe, or sofer, has historically been accessible to only a few, highly trained people. Sofer: The Story of a Torah Scroll (Torah Aura Productions, 0-933873-98-0, 32 pages, December 1998) reveals the mystery and beauty of this 3,000-year-old art to all readers, young and old alike-even those who have never before seen a Hebrew letter.

Author and master scribe Eric Ray begins with an introduction to the 22 Hebrew letterforms, exploring some of their mystical associations and connections. He then delves into the meaningful intricacies of creating Judaism's holiest objects-mezuzot (from the Hebrew meaning "doorposts"), tefillin (phylacteries) and the sefer Torah, or Torah scroll, which contains the Five Books of Moses. Readers learn about the historical development and symbolism of Jewish ritual objects; the materials and techniques used by sofrim (plural of sofer); a recipe for kosher ink; and much more. Sofer: The Story of a Torah Scroll brims with the author's own spiritual insights into the sofer's ancient and revered art-a true "labor of love."

Ray's own life experiences demonstrate the power of letters and words in modern as well as ancient times. During the Holocaust Ray forged papers to help Jews escape from concentration camps. He later used his talents to create some of the first maps for the State of Israel. Through both outwardly heroic acts-such as saving Jews from death under the Nazis-and everyday accomplishments such as recording the laws and history of the Jewish people, the sofer truly takes part in working to create a better world.

Originally published in 1985 with black and white photographs, SOFER: THE STORY OF A TORAH SCROLL now features rich, full-color photos. Through this virtual journey into an art form that has helped sustain the Jewish people for hundreds of generations, curious minds learn to love the Torah and other holy objects a little bit more. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

Being a sofer is very special. For more than 3,000 years Jewish artists have struggled with quills, inks and parchments. They have used their skills to keep the chain of Torah alive.

The Torah is the book that holds the wisdom of the Jewish people. It is our history. It is the story of the journey toward a better world. It is the record of the laws and values by which we live.

The writing of the Sefer Torah must be done by a dedicated Jew who loves the Torah. No machine can do the work I do, because a Sefer Torah can be made only by human hands.

I really love being a sofer s'tam. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Torah Aura Productions (January 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0933873042
• ISBN-13: 978-0933873049
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,497,378 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a very good book for young and old alike..., February 28, 1998

By 

T. Anderson (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Critter Crackers: Sofer (Paperback)

This book will give you an inside view of the Modern Jewish Scribe...I loved this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Children's Inspiration, December 1, 2007

By 

NapoleonOfTheNow "NSB" (Burghill, OH) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sofer: The Story of a Torah Scroll (Paperback)

Sofer - The Story of a Torah Scroll is a nice children's book. When children are young you want to read them stories about public heros like firefighters or doctors so their lives emulate noble people. This book is for the Jewish child, to inspire him to learn Hebrew and fulfill the mitzvot of writing a Torah scroll. It is full of pictures and decribes the daily ritual of the sofer, Eric Ray. Sadly some of the pictures in my copy are discolored, I hope yours will be better.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating for children and adults, November 17, 2005

By 

anonymous (Raleigh NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sofer: The Story of a Torah Scroll (Paperback)

This is a fascinating book about what a Jewish ritual scribe does, and how and why. Eric Ray is a professional sofer (scribe) who calligraphs torahs, mezuzahs and tefillin. In this book profusely illustrated with art, calligraphy, and photos, we learn how to make kosher ink and parchment, what the Hebrew letters are, and what each one symbolizes (the resh looks like someone bending over in prayer). This is written as a children's book. My 9-year-old loved it and immediately wanted to make kosher ink for his own model torah. For adults, it is a quick and interesting read on a fairly obscure subject.