Jad
The jad ( Hebrew : יד "hand") is a pointer for interpreting the lines of text in the Torah reading .
Description and function
The jad, also known as the Torah finger or Torah pointer , consists of a mostly silver rod with a small hand with an outstretched index finger at the front end. Above all, it should prevent the scrolls, some of which are centuries old and handwritten by a sofer , from being touched, soiled or damaged, since the Torah scroll is considered sacred. Secondly, the Torazeiger also serves as an aid to reading aloud in church service, because the text of the Torah without cantillation , but with ornaments, called Tagin("Krönchen") is written down. “Tagin” are three fine lines in the upper left corner of seven of the 22 Hebrew letters. They underline the mystical meaning of the text in that every additional stroke and every additional sign, together with the letters and words of the Torah, are enlightening symbols of the extraordinary mysteries of the universe and creation . The jad is kept in the Torah shrine together with the Torah.
During the church service , a reader or the rabbi comes down the line with the Torazeiger and text chanting recites ( Lejnen ), reviewed a Beisteher, which has the text in dotted version in front of him, to carry forward the prayer leader on its accuracy and correct it if necessary . Old one-off items are coveted objects for collectors of Judaica .
See also
- Hagbahah and Gelilah
- The digitus practically identical to Jad
literature
- Torah jewelry. In: Julius H. Schoeps : New Lexicon of Judaism. Gütersloher Verlagshaus, Munich 2000, ISBN 3-579-02305-5 .
- Anna Rapp Buri: Jewish cultural assets in and from Endingen and Lengau. Regional culture publishing house, Ubstadt-Weiher 2008, ISBN 978-3-89735-493-7 .
