What is Gvil?
The whole hide on which Torah scrolls are written in the Yemenite tradition, and what sets it apart from klaf.
Read the articleKnowledge Center
Every article here cites a precise source — Maimonides, Shulchan Arukh, Talmud or a verse — with a reference and a link to the source online. The content is educational and is not a halachic ruling.
Articles
Three Writing Traditions
Yemenite, Sephardic and Ashkenazi: the differences in script, parchment and the form of the scroll.
Read the articleHow to Choose a Torah Case
The measurements you must take, the difference between wood and carbon, and what really determines a fit.
Read the articleMezuzah — The Basics
Two passages on one piece of parchment, and what separates a written mezuzah from a printed copy.
Read the articleTorah Scroll Proportions and Measurements
"Its height not exceeding its circumference" — the rule that sets the scroll's size, and with it the case.
Read the articleProofreading, Inspection and Repair
Thirty days, a human eye and computer checking — and the rule against correcting from reasoning.
Read the articleThe Haftarah and Its Link to the Parashah
Twenty-one verses "on the subject of the portion" — and why a haftarah case is its own item.
Read the articleCommissioning a Torah Scroll — What to Know
Script tradition, scribe, timeline and case — the order of decisions in a commission.
Read the articleHonoring a Torah Scroll, Its Case and Its Ark
"It is a commandment to designate a place for it" — from the Ark in the Tabernacle to today's case and ark.
Read the articleHow a Torah Scroll Is Written
From parchment to the final letter: writing, spacing, ruling and ink — according to the sources.
Read the articleK'laf, G'vil and Duchsustos
Three kinds of hide, three different uses — and why processing with intent is a condition.
Read the articleFrequently asked questions
How long does writing a Torah scroll take?
Typically, writing a complete Torah scroll by one scribe working steadily takes between 12 and 24 months, depending on the script tradition, parchment type, level of hiddur, letter size and the scribe's workload. At KADOSH³ we can arrange team writing by several scribes or work with scribes who have special availability; in such cases the writing can be completed in as little as about three months. The exact schedule is set with the chosen scribe according to the desired hiddur and inspection level.
Will the case fit my Torah scroll?
Three measurements are needed: the height of the scroll, its rolled diameter, and the height of the atzei chaim. With all three we can say with certainty whether the case fits; without them we will not declare a fit.
Is there a discount on a case when purchasing a Torah scroll?
Yes. A customer ordering a Torah scroll through us is entitled to a discount on a Torah case, according to the current discount rules and the type of case. The discount is calculated automatically in the quote.
May a Torah scroll be commissioned from a scribe?
Yes. The Shulchan Arukh states that one who hired a scribe to write a scroll for him is regarded "as though he wrote it" (Yoreh De'ah 270:1); Maimonides likewise rules that one who cannot write may have others write for him (Mishneh Torah 7:1). Educational content; for a practical ruling consult your rabbi.
What is a Torah scroll written on?
On the hide of a kosher animal, processed for the sake of a Torah scroll (Shulchan Arukh, Yoreh De'ah 271:1). Maimonides distinguishes g'vil, k'laf and duchsustos and which side is written on (Mishneh Torah 1:8); in recent generations the practice is to write on k'laf.
What determines a Torah scroll's dimensions?
The rule is that the scroll's height should not exceed its circumference, nor its circumference its height (Mishneh Torah 9:1). Actual girth depends on parchment thickness, letter size and number of columns — so case dimensions follow the scroll itself.
What is proofreading, and how often is a scroll checked?
The Shulchan Arukh forbids keeping an unproofread scroll more than thirty days — one must repair it or set it aside — and warns against correcting from reasoning rather than clear evidence of error (Yoreh De'ah 279:1). In practice a professional corrector is combined with computer checking, and scrolls in regular use are re-checked periodically.
What is a haftarah and why twenty-one verses?
"The haftarah is read from the Prophets on a subject related to the portion, and not fewer than twenty-one verses, unless the passage ends sooner" (Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 284:1). The haftarah is chosen for its link to the portion, so Torah–haftarah pairings follow community custom.
Why is a haftarah case smaller than a Torah case?
A haftarah scroll is smaller than a Torah scroll, so its case is built at 45%–50% of the Torah case height. This ratio is enforced for every pair on the site, so a pair reads as one composition with correct proportion.
How should a Torah scroll and its case be cared for?
The Shulchan Arukh stresses great honor and a designated place for the scroll (Yoreh De'ah 282:1). Practically: avoid direct sun and high humidity, hold the rollers rather than the parchment, and clean the case gently according to its material.
Does this site issue halachic rulings?
No. Everything in the Knowledge Center is educational and cites sources with precise references. It is not a halachic ruling; for any practical question — kashrut, custom, a scroll dedication — consult a rabbi.
Why does "price on request" sometimes appear instead of a price?
Because unverified data is never displayed. When an item's dimensions, material or price are not yet set in our system, "price on request" appears instead of an estimate. A Torah scroll is always quoted individually rather than priced in the catalog.
Verified source library
Each source appears in its own words, with a precise reference and a link to the source online. Abridged quotations are marked explicitly.
Deuteronomy 31:19
וְעַתָּה כִּתְבוּ לָכֶם אֶת הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת
And now, write this song for yourselves
Siddur, the Ahavas Olam blessing
כִּי הֵם חַיֵּינוּ וְאֹרֶךְ יָמֵינוּ
For they are our life and the length of our days
Proverbs 3:18
עֵץ חַיִּים הִיא לַמַּחֲזִיקִים בָּהּ
She is a tree of life to those who hold fast to her
Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 133b
זֶה אֵלִי וְאַנְוֵהוּ
This is my God and I will glorify Him
Deuteronomy 6:9
וּכְתַבְתָּם עַל מְזֻזוֹת בֵּיתֶךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶיךָ
And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates
Numbers 15:38
וְעָשׂוּ לָהֶם צִיצִת עַל כַּנְפֵי בִגְדֵיהֶם
And they shall make for themselves fringes on the corners of their garments
Deuteronomy 6:8
וּקְשַׁרְתָּם לְאוֹת עַל יָדֶךָ
And you shall bind them as a sign upon your arm
Exodus 20:8
זָכוֹר אֶת יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת לְקַדְּשׁוֹ
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy
Deuteronomy 6:7
וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ
And you shall teach them diligently to your children
Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14a
מַאי "אֵין בָּאָרוֹן רַק" — מִיעוּט אַחַר מִיעוּט, וְאֵין מִיעוּט אַחַר מִיעוּט אֶלָּא לְרַבּוֹת — סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה שֶׁמּוּנָּח בָּאָרוֹן
What does "there was nothing in the Ark except" mean? This is a restriction following a restriction, and a restriction following a restriction serves only to amplify — to include a Torah scroll that lies in the Ark.
An early source for keeping a Torah scroll inside an ark.
View the source onlineDeuteronomy 31:19
וְעַתָּה כִּתְבוּ לָכֶם אֶת־הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת וְלַמְּדָהּ אֶת־בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל שִׂימָהּ בְּפִיהֶם לְמַעַן תִּהְיֶה־לִּי הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת לְעֵד בִּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל׃
Therefore, write down this poem and teach it to the people of Israel; put it in their mouths, in order that this poem may be My witness against the people of Israel.
The verse from which the commandment to write a Torah scroll is derived.
View the source onlineDeuteronomy 6:9
וּכְתַבְתָּם עַל־מְזֻזוֹת בֵּיתֶךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶיךָ׃
inscribe them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
The verse from which the commandment of mezuzah is derived.
View the source onlineMishneh Torah, Tefillin, Mezuzah and the Torah Scroll 1:8
הֲלָכָה לְמשֶׁה מִסִּינַי שֶׁיִּהְיוּ כּוֹתְבִין סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה עַל הַגְּוִיל וְכוֹתְבִין בִּמְקוֹם הַשֵּׂעָר. וְשֶׁיִּהְיוּ כּוֹתְבִין הַתְּפִלִּין עַל הַקְּלָף וְכוֹתְבִין בִּמְקוֹם הַבָּשָׂר. וְשֶׁיִּהְיוּ כּוֹתְבִין הַמְּזוּזָה עַל דּוּכְסוּסְטוּס וְכוֹתְבִין בִּמְקוֹם הַשֵּׂעָר
It is a halachah transmitted to Moses at Sinai that a Torah scroll be written on g'vil, on the hair side; that tefillin be written on k'laf, on the flesh side; and that a mezuzah be written on duchsustos, on the hair side.
The distinction between g'vil, k'laf and duchsustos, and the side written on.
View the source onlineMishneh Torah, Tefillin, Mezuzah and the Torah Scroll 10:1
נִמְצֵאתָ לָמֵד שֶׁעֶשְׂרִים דְּבָרִים הֵן שֶׁבְּכָל אֶחָד מֵהֶן פּוֹסֵל סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה... וְאֵלּוּ הֵן. א. אִם נִכְתַּב עַל עוֹר בְּהֵמָה טְמֵאָה. ב. שֶׁנִּכְתַּב עַל עוֹר בְּהֵמָה טְהוֹרָה שֶׁאֵינוֹ מְעֻבָּד. ג. שֶׁהָיָה מְעֻבָּד שֶׁלֹּא לְשֵׁם סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה... ז. שֶׁנִּכְתַּב בְּלֹא שִׂרְטוּט. ח. שֶׁנִּכְתַּב בְּלֹא שָׁחוֹר הָעוֹמֵד. ט. שֶׁנִּכְתַּב בִּשְׁאָר לְשׁוֹנוֹת
It follows that there are twenty matters, each of which disqualifies a Torah scroll... They are: (1) if it was written on the hide of a non-kosher animal; (2) on an unprocessed hide of a kosher animal; (3) on a hide processed without the intent of a Torah scroll... (7) written without ruled lines; (8) written without durable black ink; (9) written in another language.
A partial quotation of the list of disqualifications; the full list is in the source.
View the source onlineMishneh Torah, Tefillin, Mezuzah and the Torah Scroll 7:1
מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה עַל כָּל אִישׁ וְאִישׁ מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל לִכְתֹּב סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה לְעַצְמוֹ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְעַתָּה כִּתְבוּ לָכֶם אֶת הַשִּׁירָה"... וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהִנִּיחוּ לוֹ אֲבוֹתָיו סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה מִצְוָה לִכְתֹּב מִשֶּׁלּוֹ. וְאִם כְּתָבוֹ בְּיָדוֹ הֲרֵי הוּא כְּאִלּוּ קִבְּלָהּ מֵהַר סִינַי. וְאִם אֵינוֹ יוֹדֵעַ לִכְתֹּב אֲחֵרִים כּוֹתְבִין לוֹ. וְכָל הַמַּגִּיהַּ סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה וַאֲפִלּוּ אוֹת אַחַת הֲרֵי הוּא כְּאִלּוּ כְּתָבוֹ כֻּלּוֹ
It is a positive commandment for each and every Jewish man to write a Torah scroll for himself, as stated: "And now, write down this song for yourselves." Even if one's ancestors left him a Torah scroll, it is a commandment to write one of his own. If he wrote it himself, it is as though he received it from Mount Sinai; if he does not know how to write, others write it for him. And whoever corrects even a single letter of a Torah scroll is regarded as though he wrote the whole of it.
The basis of the mitzvah, the option of commissioning a scribe, and the value of proofreading.
View the source onlineMishneh Torah, Tefillin, Mezuzah and the Torah Scroll 7:4
וְכֵיצַד כּוֹתְבִין סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה. כּוֹתֵב כְּתִיבָה מְתֻקֶּנֶת נָאָה בְּיוֹתֵר. יַנִּיחַ בֵּין כָּל תֵּבָה וְתֵבָה כִּמְלֹא אוֹת קְטַנָּה וּבֵין אוֹת לְאוֹת כִּמְלֹא חוּט הַשַּׂעֲרָה וּבֵין כָּל שִׁיטָה וְשִׁיטָה כִּמְלֹא שִׁיטָה. וְאֹרֶךְ כָּל שִׁיטָה וְשִׁיטָה שְׁלֹשִׁים אוֹתִיּוֹת
How is a Torah scroll written? One writes with careful, very beautiful script. He leaves the space of a small letter between each word, a hair's breadth between letters, and the height of a line between lines. The length of each line is thirty letters.
Requirements of the writing, spacing, and column width.
View the source onlineMishneh Torah, Tefillin, Mezuzah and the Torah Scroll 9:1
אֵין עוֹשִׂין סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה לֹא אָרְכּוֹ יוֹתֵר עַל הֶקֵּפוֹ וְלֹא הֶקֵּפוֹ יָתֵר עַל אָרְכּוֹ. וְכַמָּה הוּא אָרְכּוֹ. בִּגְוִיל שִׁשָּׁה טְפָחִים שֶׁהֵם אַרְבַּע וְעֶשְׂרִים אֶצְבָּעוֹת בְּרֹחַב הַגּוּדָל שֶׁל יָד. וּבִקְלָף אוֹ פָּחוֹת אוֹ יוֹתֵר וְהוּא שֶׁיְּהֵא אָרְכּוֹ כְּהֶקֵּפוֹ
A Torah scroll should not be made with its height greater than its circumference, nor its circumference greater than its height. What is its height? On g'vil, six handbreadths, which are twenty-four thumb-breadths. On k'laf it may be less or more, provided that its height equals its circumference.
The relation between the scroll height and its circumference — the basis for planning case dimensions.
View the source onlineShulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 284:1
מַפְטִירִין בְּנָבִיא מֵעִנְיָנָהּ שֶׁל פָּרָשָׁה, וְאֵין פּוֹחֲתִין מִכ"א פְּסוּקִים, אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן סְלִיק עִנְיָנֵיהּ בְּבָצִיר מֵהָכִי
The haftarah is read from the Prophets on a subject related to the Torah portion, and one does not read fewer than twenty-one verses, unless the passage concludes with fewer than that.
The basis for the link between haftarah and parashah — the foundation of the pairing idea.
View the source onlineShulchan Arukh, Yoreh De'ah 270:1
מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה עַל כָּל אִישׁ מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל לִכְתּוֹב לוֹ סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה, וַאֲפִלּוּ הִנִּיחוּ לוֹ אֲבוֹתָיו סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה מִצְוָה לִכְתּוֹב מִשֶּׁלּוֹ... שָׂכַר לוֹ סוֹפֵר לִכְתּוֹב לוֹ סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה, אוֹ שֶׁקְּנָאוֹ וְהוּא הָיָה מוּטְעֶה וְהִגִּיהוֹ, הֲרֵי זֶה כְּאִלּוּ כְּתָבוֹ
It is a positive commandment upon every Jew to write a Torah scroll for himself; even if his ancestors left him one, it is a commandment to write one of his own... If he hired a scribe to write one for him, or bought one that was faulty and corrected it, it is as though he wrote it.
The source for commissioning a scribe to write on one's behalf.
View the source onlineShulchan Arukh, Yoreh De'ah 271:1
אֵין כּוֹתְבִין סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה עַל עוֹר בְּהֵמָה חַיָּה וָעוֹף הַטְּמֵאִים... אֲבָל כּוֹתְבִין עַל עוֹר בְּהֵמָה חַיָּה וָעוֹף הַטְּהוֹרִים... וְצָרִיךְ שֶׁיִּהְיוּ הָעוֹרוֹת מְעוּבָּדִין עַל יְדֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְשֵׁם סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה, שֶׁיֹּאמַר בִּתְחִלַּת הָעִיבּוּד... עוֹרוֹת אֵלּוּ אֲנִי מְעַבֵּד לְשֵׁם סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה
A Torah scroll may not be written on the hide of a non-kosher animal, beast or bird... but it may be written on the hide of kosher animals, beasts or birds... and the hides must be processed by a Jew for the sake of a Torah scroll, declaring at the start of the processing: these hides I am processing for the sake of a Torah scroll.
The requirement of kosher parchment processed with intent.
View the source onlineShulchan Arukh, Yoreh De'ah 279:1
סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה שֶׁאֵינוֹ מוּגָּה אָסוּר לְהַשְׁהוֹתוֹ יוֹתֵר מִשְּׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם, אֶלָּא יְתַקֵּן אוֹ יִגְנוֹז. וְאֵין לְהַגִּיהַּ שׁוּם סֵפֶר עַל פִּי הַסְּבָרָא כִּי אִם בִּרְאִיָּה בְּרוּרָה שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ טָעוּת
A Torah scroll that has not been proofread may not be kept more than thirty days; rather one should repair it or set it aside. And one may not correct any scroll on the basis of reasoning, but only upon clear evidence that there is an error in it.
The duty of proofreading and the caution required in correcting.
View the source onlineShulchan Arukh, Yoreh De'ah 282:1
חַיָּב אָדָם לִנְהוֹג כָּבוֹד גָּדוֹל בְּסֵפֶר תּוֹרָה, וּמִצְוָה לְיַחֵד לוֹ מָקוֹם וּלְכַבֵּד הַמָּקוֹם הַהוּא וּלְהַדְּרוֹ בְּיוֹתֵר... אֶלָּא יֵשֵׁב לְפָנָיו בְּכוֹבֶד רֹאשׁ וּבְיִרְאָה וָפַחַד, שֶׁהוּא הָעֵד הַנֶּאֱמָן עַל כָּל בָּאֵי עוֹלָם
A person is obligated to treat a Torah scroll with great honor, and it is a commandment to designate a place for it, to honor that place and to adorn it exceedingly... rather one should sit before it with gravity, awe and reverence, for it is the faithful witness concerning all who come into the world.
The basis for a dignified place for the scroll, its case and its ark.
View the source onlineShulchan Arukh, Yoreh De'ah 288:1
כֵּיצַד כּוֹתְבִין אֶת הַמְּזוּזָה. כּוֹתְבִין שְׁתֵּי פָּרָשִׁיּוֹת "שְׁמַע" וְ"וְהָיָה אִם שָׁמוֹעַ" עַל דַּף אֶחָד בִּירִיעָה אַחַת, וְעוֹשֶׂה לָהּ רֶוַח מִלְּמַטָּה וְרֶוַח מִלְמַעְלָה כְּמוֹ חֲצִי צִפּוֹרֶן
How is a mezuzah written? The two passages, "Shema" and "Vehayah im shamoa," are written on one column on a single piece of parchment, leaving a space below and above of about half a fingernail.
The structure of writing a mezuzah.
View the source onlineZohar, Part III, Parashat Naso, Idra Rabba, folio 134a
ספר תורה קדש ונרתקו קדש וההיכל קדש. וכתיב "וקרא זה אל זה ואמר קדוש קדוש קדוש" (ישעיה ו, ג) — הא תלת אינון. וספר תורה לקבליהון — נרתקו קדש, וההיכל קדש, והוא קדוש.
A Torah scroll is holy, its case is holy, and the ark is holy. And it is written, "And one called to the other and said: Holy, holy, holy" (Isaiah 6:3) — these are the three. The Torah scroll receives them: its case is holy, the ark is holy, and He is holy.
Three degrees of holiness — the scroll, the case and the ark — corresponding to Isaiah's "Holy, holy, holy".
View the source online
Knowledge Center content is for study and orientation only and is not a halachic ruling. For any practical question — kashrut, community custom, a scroll dedication — consult a rabbi.