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19th Century C.E.
Torah Pointer of Sterling silver used when reading the Scroll of the Law.
The Torah pointer or 'yod' as it is known in Hebrew, is an instrument used during the reading of the books of the law known in Greek as the Pentatiuch.
As the reader in the Jewish temple would read, he would point to each letter and word with the Torah pointer. Why? Some say because of the difficulty in reading Hebrew because some letters are very similar. Other claim that the Jews were superstitius about touching the scroll by hand because it was considered sacred or holy. The custom of using this instrument persists to this day.

Š2001-2002 Museum of Biblical World

Collections > Writing Instruments > Torah Pointer / 'Yod'	< Previous \| Next >


19th Century C.E. Torah Pointer of Sterling silver used when reading the Scroll of the Law. The Torah pointer or 'yod' as it is known in Hebrew, is an instrument used during the reading of the books of the law known in Greek as the Pentatiuch. As the reader in the Jewish temple would read, he would point to each letter and word with the Torah pointer. Why? Some say because of the difficulty in reading Hebrew because some letters are very similar. Other claim that the Jews were superstitius about touching the scroll by hand because it was considered sacred or holy. The custom of using this instrument persists to this day.