how do Jewish people treat their scripture?

Answer 1

It really depends on the form the texts are in. The complete Jewish Bible is called the 'Tanach' and is made up of the Torah (Teachings), Nevi'im (Prophets), and K'tuvim (Writings).

The Torah section can take the form of a large scroll or be in book form. The rest of the Tanach is in book form.

The Torah scroll is kept in a special cabinet at the front of the prayer sanctuary in synagogues and stands veritcally. It is "dressed" in a rich fabric covering that is normally embroidered. An elaborate crown is placed on the top, the crown is metal and is decorated with small bells normally, this is so that there is music when the Torah is carried through the congregation. When the Torah scroll is read from, a pointer called a yad is used, this is so that the parchment doesn't pick up the oils and dirt from our skin. If someone was to drop a Torah while carrying it, they are required to fast for a year (this is a daytime fast, the person eats at night).

In book form, all sections of the Tanach cannot have secular books piled on top of it because the Tanach contains the names for HaShem (The Creator). Although they aren't treated in the same way as the Torah scroll, they are handled with great care and respect.

Answer 2

Printed books of the Torah and prophets may not be placed directly on the floor or under other kinds of books or items. When worn out, they are not put in the trash, but buried in a special cemetery called a "geniza".

Answer 3

They treat them with the utmost respect and actually bury them when they are rendered unusable.

Answer 4

With the utmost respect.

Answer 5

What kind of treatment do you have in mind:

Physically? We show respect for scripture by kissing books containing biblical text after use. We never set them on the floor. We never pile secular texts on top of biblical texts. In the case of the Torah, while we study from printed copies in book form, public readings are from scrolls handwritten on parchment, we never touch the written part of the scroll, only the margins and the sticks on which it is rolled, we dress the scrolls in elaborate mantles when not in use, we store them in an elaborate chest, the synagogue ark, and we stand whenever the scroll is being carried.

What about how we treat the words? We take them seriously. Every word of the Torah is supposed to be true, so if it is not literally true, we try to find an allegorical or other interpretation that makes sense. If the Torah says something twice, or thrice, we try to learn from the repetition itself. And, we have great respect for commentaries. We read the text of the Torah through the lens of the Prophets, the later writings, the Talmud, and the later commentaries. Along the way, we preserve lots of minority opinions, because they might provide the key to understanding something at some future time.