Children's Sefer Torah Project
of SA

Why you should buy a word in the Children’s Sefer Torah

In Deuteronomy 31/19 the Torah states: "So now, write this song for yourselves.." The sages learn from this verse that every Jew is commanded to write a Sefer Torah. The Rambam writes (Hilchot Sefer Torah 7:1) that since the lack of one Torah letter causes a Torah Scroll to be invalid, the commandment can be fulfilled by writing a single letter of a completed scroll. The Chofetz Chaim in Sefer Ha'mitzvot lists this as one of the 613 commandments and quotes the Rambam saying that if it is not possible for a person to physically write the Sefer Torah himself, he has to buy a Sefer Torah or hire someone to write it for him. Rav Moshe Feinstein writes that a person can fulfill their obligation to perform this mitzvah by uniting together with other Jews to write one collective Sefer Torah.

The Torah is the eternal bridge linking human beings with G-d. Fulfilling this Mitzva on behalf of a Jewish child is a very powerful merit for their soul. This is a unique opportunity for your child to have a share in this new Sefer Torah, identical to the very first Sefer Torah dictated by G-d to Moshe Rabbeinu, written on behalf of the Jewish children of South Africa.

WHO IS ARRANGING THIS PROJECT

 

The Children’s Sefer Torah of SA is a project is being organised by Jaron and Shelley Tobias in conjunction with Rabbi Danny Sackstein of Sunny Road Shul.  This project is endorsed by Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein.

 

THE AIM OF THIS PROJECT

 

The aim of this project is to unify and inspire our children to be part of their heritage.  We envision that each Jewish child will be a part of this Sefer Torah.

As children see this Sefer Torah being used in their schools they will feel a wonderful connection of being part of something greater and will feel pride in having performed this mitzvah.

 

 

 

 

HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE THIS?

 

The objective of this project is to provide a roaming Sefer Torah to be used by the children of South Africa. In other words this Torah will be used by shuls and schools on a rotational basis.  Each participating shul/school may make use of this Sefer Torah for one month. This will be a fundraising project for Jewish education.

Proceeds will be given pro-rata to the schools on the basis of turnover obtained from each school. The more that is brought in by the parents of your school, the more funds your school will receive.

. 

We encourage shuls and schools to use this Sefer Torah for barmitzvahs, batmitzvahs or special occasions.  Youth movements will also be able to make use of this Sefer Torah for machanehs or seminars.

 

In order to be part of the mitzvah of owning a word in a Sefer Torah, parents will be given the opportunity of buying a dedication on behalf of their child or children.

 

Words, pasukim, aliyot, sedrot, special readings and the Books of the Torah may be purchased.

 

Words can be bought for R180.00 per word.  For families, the first word for the first child is R180.00 and for the second and subsequent child the cost will be R90.00 per word.

 

A beautiful colour certificate will be sent to each child as an important reminder that they are part of this Children’s Sefer Torah.

 

For those who purchase a sedra, a special reading or a Book of the Torah, they will also have the honour of writing a letter with the Sofer and obtaining a commemorative photograph. In addition to this they will receive a certificate of this dedication.

 

The closing date for dedications is 30 June 2011.

 

HOW WILL THE ROAMING SEFER TORAH WORK?

 

A roster will be drawn up giving each school an allocation of one month at a time.  Should your school/organisation require the Sefer Torah to be used for a special occasion  such as a Barmtizvah or wedding, kindly  advise Rabbi Sackstein at least two months before the time so that arrangements can be made.   The email address for making this arrangement is

childrens-sefertorah@hotmail.com.