The 7th grade class headed out Sunday morning on a trip to see someone who usually sits alone, diligently working on his holy endeavor. On this day however, he was to welcome the kids who had come to visit from Franklin Lakes Chabad Hebrew School into this workplace.
The students listened to the scribe as he explained the requirements for a Kosher Torah, Mezuzah, Tefillin etc. The metirial used to write these articles is parchement. The parchement must be made from the skin of a kosher animal; Usually the skin of a calf or a lamb is used. The skin goes through a long process before being completely ready as parchment to be written on.
A special ink made from gall nuts is used to write. The pen used is generally a quill from a kosher bird, a goose or a turkey. The point is carefully cut so that by turning the pen and varying the pressure, the scribe can write thick as well as very thin lines with one stroke.
Each letter must be written according to the exact guidelines as explained in the Code of Jewish Law. Even one tiny defect to a letter, will make the entire piece non-Kosher. This task takes much effort and precision.
Using his many unique materials, the Scribe gave the students an understanding into the complexity of writing these holy works.
What a wonderful experience it was to meet the scribe, hear from him, and see his work!
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