Torah Pointer (work of art)
Artwork Info
Key Ideas
- Torah pointers are used during the reading of the Torah, the Jewish holy scripture. A Torah pointer is both a decorative work of art and a functional object of devotion.
- A Torah pointer is also known as a yad, the Hebrew word for “hand.” Its purpose is to allow the reader to follow the text of the Torah scroll during public readings without touching the sacred parchment with their fingers. The tiny, pointing hand figure at the end of this object serves as a substitute for a human hand.
- This Torah pointer is made of sterling silver and decorated with intricate, swirling designs. It was crafted using techniques that are often used to make jewelry.
- This object once belonged to Temple Oheb Sholom in Goldsboro, North Carolina.
Learn More
Torah pointers, also known as yads, are objects of devotion in Jewish tradition. They are designed to protect the sacred parchment from human contact and to preserve the text. According to Judaism the Torah is a sacred book that should not be touched by human hands. The Torah pointer also serves as a visual aid, to help the reader and the congregation follow the text during Jewish synagogue services.
Torah pointers are often made of metal and adorned with intricate filigree designs. This Torah pointer was crafted from sterling silver and made using cast and hollow-formed silver techniques. The same silversmithing techniques are used in jewelry making. They involve melting silver and pouring it into molds to create solid or hollow shapes. Many Torah pointers, including this one, feature the three-dimensional figure of a humanlike hand in the gesture of pointing. The chain at the top of the pointer serves as an easy way to hang it on the Torah scroll when it is not in use.
Torah Pointer once belonged to Temple Oheb Sholom in Goldsboro, which is the second-oldest synagogue in North Carolina. The pointer was donated to the synagogue by a member of its congregation, in memory of a loved one.
Additional Resources
Resources for Teachers
- Read an article about the meaning and history of Torah pointers.
- Visit a website to explore an exhibition of Judaica at the University of Virginia.
- Read an article about the history of the craft of silversmithing.
Resources for Students
- Watch a video to learn more about the yad, or Torah pointer.
- View images of another Torah pointer in the NCMA collection.
- Watch a video tutorial on cast and hollow-formed silver techniques.
Images
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Torah Pointer
A silver metal Torah pointer. The top portion features ornate swirling designs on a hollow-formed handle that ends in a hollow, bulblike shape. A silver chain is attached to the end of the handle. The middle of the pointer is a solid, smooth metal oval. On the other side of the oval centerpiece, the metal is smooth in texture and features an inscription in Hebrew. The bottom portion of the pointer tapers to a narrow end that is capped with a bell-shaped element. On the other side of the bell shape, at the narrow end of the pointer, the tiny figure of a humanlike hand extends its index finger in a pointing gesture.
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AMERICAN, Torah Pointer, 2015_12_3, view B
A silver metal Torah pointer. The top portion features ornate swirling designs on a hollow-formed handle that ends in a hollow, bulblike shape. A silver chain is attached to the end of the handle. The middle of the pointer is a solid, smooth metal oval. On the other side of the oval centerpiece, the metal is smooth in texture and features an inscription in Hebrew. The bottom portion of the pointer tapers to a narrow end that is capped with a bell-shaped element. On the other side of the bell shape, at the narrow end of the pointer, the tiny figure of a humanlike hand extends its index finger in a pointing gesture.
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AMERICAN, Torah Pointer, 2015_12_3, hallmark detail