How do people treat the torah?
With deep respect and care. Words mean everything in Judaism, and the Torah is the heart of the words. Torah is read during services on Monday and Thursday mornings, and on Shabbat morning. The scroll (two for Shabbes) is taken from the ark where they are kept and carried around the shul. Many people will reach out to touch it with the fringes on the prayer shawl or the corner of a prayer book, and then kiss the fringes or book. Some Orthodox will kiss the covered scrolls. The Torah is read from a table. We take care not to touch it directly, out of reverence and to protect the scroll. The reader uses a pointer (yad) to follow the text. The ‘portion’ to be read that day is read in several sections, with blessings recited before and after each portion. The person who has been given the honour of reciting that blessing touches the scroll with the fringes of the prayer shawl and then kisses them. After the reading, the scroll is lifted high, so that everyone can see it. More blessings are
