For many years, I practised as a sofer in Israel, Gateshead and Edgware. Writing STaM has always been something very close to my heart, and recently I was privileged to write my son's tefillin for his Bar Mitzvah.
Although I no longer work professionally as a sofer, it remains a passion of mine. When time permits, I still enjoy writing a mezuzah or undertaking other STaM projects.
As Gabbai, and occasional Baal Koreh in our shul, I have felt for some time that we are in urgent need of a new Sefer Torah. While we currently have two functioning Sifrei Torah, whenever a third Sefer is required we are often left struggling to find one that we can confidently regard as fully kosher and fit for regular use.
Our Aron Kodesh contains many Sifrei Torah, but the reality is that most are no longer usable. For a flourishing kehillah the size of Machzike Hadath, it is only fitting that we should possess a beautiful, mehudar Sefer Torah that can be used proudly week after week, year after year.
The Tur (Yoreh De'ah 270) teaches that it is a mitzvah for every Jew to write a Sefer Torah. In our generation, few of us have the opportunity to fulfil this mitzvah directly. I am therefore deeply grateful that our kehillah is coming together not only to acquire a Sefer Torah that we genuinely need, but also to provide every member of the community with the opportunity to participate in this unique and precious mitzvah.
A Sefer Torah is far more than parchment and ink. It is the physical embodiment of the Torah that unites us as a community. Around it we gather each week to hear Hashem's word, to celebrate our simchos, and to mark the milestones of our lives. With Hashem's help, this new Sefer Torah will serve our kehillah for generations to come, connecting our children and grandchildren to the Torah that has sustained Klal Yisrael throughout the ages.
I hope that every member of our kehillah will take the opportunity to be part of this special project and help us bring this Sefer Torah into being.
