Torah Tik

"This is the Torah which was given to the synagogue of Kashan in the memory of the proper, modest and honored woman Bijmah (?), daughter of Rabbi Judah. Whoever will read will remember her soul and whoever...[illegible]" The top of the Torah case has two inscriptions from Deuteronomy: "This is the Torah which Moses set before the children of Israel" (Deut. 4:44) and "Moses commanded us the Torah, an inheritance of the congregation of Jacob" (Deut. 33:4). It is decorated with naturalistic floral motifs and has space for the insertion of Torah finials. Around its eight sides are such motifs as a Star of David, a crown, the tablets representing the Ten Commandments, a seven- branched menorah, and a medallion inscribed "mizrah" (the East, or literally, "from the rising [of the sun]") indicating the direction of prayer. Other inscriptions may be translated as follows: "I have placed You, Lord, ever before me" and "the gold menorah." There are also various mystical names and the names of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as well as Moses, David and Solomon.