Customer Reviews

Critter Crackers: Sofer

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

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.

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.

Beautiful book. I am studying to be a Sofer, and I was looking for all kinds of books that would help me understand and love this craft more, this book helped.
Shalom

After attending a presentation by the author's masterful former student Rabbi Kevin Hale, I had to order this the moment I got home. This is a must have for anyone interested in the spiritual art of Torah engrossing (writing) - it encompasses so very much more that putting pen to paper (hide) that I was awed and inspired. I see our Torah in a completely different way. Rabbi Ray has such Love and reverence for the this work! May his memory be a blessing and his message be carried by those who follow in his footsteps.
A book for artists, calligraphers, Judaism, Torah

We enjoyed this book. Our 7 yr. old is fascinated with Hebrew letters. The first part of the book goes through the Alef-Bet/alphabet and gives a small story or way to remember each letter. Then the books tells the sofer's story as he goes through the process of making a Torah scroll.

A great introduction to fascinating history. A great multicultural book for kids wanting to write with quills - not just done by the founding fathers of 1776.