What do you use to read the Torah?

Answer 1

The Torah scroll is hand-written in an embellished Hebrew script, as a single continuous

text for each of the five books, without vowels, punctuation, chapter or verse divisions, etc.

A proper rendition of the formal reading, during any community service attended by ten

or more adult Jewish males, requires the presentation of not only the correct vowels,

punctuation, and verse divisions, but also in the proper 'chant' ... an ancient system

of vocal melody and phrasing, which is also not written in the scroll.

In preparation for reading the Torah during a future service, the assigned reader must

study the portion that he'll be reading, in a book specially prepared for the purpose.

On each page of that reader's study guide, there is a replica of a column of text as it

appears in the Torah scroll, and immediately beside it, a copy of the same text that

includes the vowels, punctuation, musical notations, etc. The preparation is a process

of working between the two versions of the text, phrase by phrase and verse-by-verse,

until the reader can present the portion properly, referring only to the version in the

Torah scroll, but confidently and accurately delivering all of the details that don't

appear there.

Answer 2

The Torah is read with what is called trope or cantillation. This is a singing chant which is done according to a system of small diacritical marks under or over the words (in addition to the vowel markings). The way of singing differs between the various Jewish communities (Yemenite, Moroccan, etc.). The best way to get an idea of what this sounds like is to attend a service or to ask any knowledgeable Jew to demonstrate a couple of verses.

Answer 3

In order to read Hebrew: 1). You look at the letters on the printed page in sequence, moving from right to left along the line, and then from top to bottom on the page. Each printed letter is generally a consonant, and the vowels ... if they are printed at all ... appear as lines or dots directly under the letters. From these you make sounds, either audibly or in your mind. 2). When you come to a wide space between letters, you stop briefly, and make a 'word' out of the sounds you have saved up since the last wide space. 3). In this way, you collect a series of words, from which you extract the thoughts, instructions, comments, or facts placed there by the writer of the words. 4). You then have the choice to ignore them, think about them, obey them, sing them, tell them to others, write a response, etc.

Answer 4

The Torah is read from in the synagogue. It and other religious Jewish texts are studied privately in the home and taught in Yeshivos and Torah-classes.

Answer 5

A yad