Liberty Classical Receives Historic Torah Scroll
A Torah that survived the Holocaust speaks to the preservation of God’s Word.
In February, Liberty Classical Academy received a 19th-century Torah Scroll that survived World War II from long-time Liberty supporters Ken and Barb Larson, founders of the organization God's Ancient Library. We are incredibly thankful to the Larsons for their gift, a rare and unprecedented donation to our school. Normally given to universities and museums, this is only the second scroll the Larsons have given to a K-12 school.
All in the Details
The Torah is made from prepared calf skin (two out of the three layers) and is 122 feet and 11 7/16 inches long and 20 inches tall. The scroll has 58 panels, 264 columns, and 42 lines of writing per column. The text is written with black iron sulfate ink. The panels are sewn with Ashkenazic sinew (tendons from a Kosher animal with blind stitching indicating that it was sewn after 1800). There are 154 careful corrections in the Torah, most concerning kosher orthography (the proper shape of letters - to ensure that the letters are written precisely, not to confuse the words).
Surviving World War II
This specific scroll was written in the mid-19th century in Western Europe (believed to have originated from Germany). The scroll's age is determined by its standardized format and preparation. It has a protective coating on the back called Mashiach. This is an Ashkenazi scroll, meaning it was prepared following traditions of Jewish communities originating in Germany and, more broadly, Europe. It also incorporates Sephardi elements, meaning certain aspects of the writing followed traditions of Jewish communities originating in Spain. Due to its age, we know that the scroll was in use leading up to World War II. It is believed to have survived because it was decommissioned (considered pasul), hidden away in a genizah (storage room), and overlooked by the Nazis.
For Generations To Come
At our dedication ceremony in February, students had the opportunity to feel the edges of the scrolls and to view it up-close. Dr. Michael Wise, Scholar-in-Residence & Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Languages of the University of Northwestern-St. Paul read a portion of the Torah as part of the dedication ceremony.
This summer, the Torah scroll will be placed in its new home, Liberty's White Bear Lake campus library. Enclosed in a glass case, the Torah will be kept safe to ensure its preservation for many years. We also plan to include an interactive component for future viewing. A QR code will be placed on the glass case so viewers can scan to hear a Hebrew reading of portions of the scroll.
This scroll is an incredible testament to the preservation of God's word. Our Liberty students are blessed with the opportunity to witness an amazing piece of history!
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