Box for the Torah

Jewish law or Torah is the most sacred object to Jews and for this reason it is usually either safeguarded in a special box or covered with an ornamental cloth. This a cylindrical wooden box is lined in worn crimson velvet, and decorated with crests and silver appliqués featuring Hebrew inscriptions and floral motifs. The silver border at the top is in the shape of a crown. The piece is originally from Yemen. On its interior it contains a scroll of parchment inscribed with the Torah. This type of box is itself kept in a special cabinet (Arón Kodesh). If no boxes or cloths are available to protect the Torah, the scrolls are placed face down in order to prevent them from being read