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October 1, 2002Sacred journeyTorah scroll is transferred by hand in symbolic trekBy PATRICK SULLIVANRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Members of Congregation Ahavat Shalom lugged books, computer equipment and office furniture to a new office Monday, driving back and forth from their old location about eight blocks away. One delivery, that of the congregation's Torah scroll, was made by hand, however. "This is considered a sacred document and it is kind of accorded respect," said Rabbi Stacie Bahle. "It's customary rather than putting it in the back of your Jeep or whatever to carry it hand-by-hand." So members took turns carrying the heavy scroll Monday afternoon from the office on Grandview Parkway near Union Street to an office on Division Street near Second Street. The sacred scroll contains the Bible's five books of Moses painstakingly written by hand on parchment made from kosher animal hides. Bahle said this scroll is believed to have been smuggled out of Poland during the Holocaust and made its way from England to New York to Chicago. In Chicago the scroll was restored and the Congregation Ahavat Shalom paid $8,000 for it three years ago in an eBay auction, a fact that makes Bahle giggle. But the handling of the scroll is serious business. In accordance with tradition, its parchment cannot be touched by hands or by any kind of metal that can be fashioned into a weapon. Carrying the scroll by hand is symbolic. The scroll was not carried by hand from Chicago or for its weekly transport back and forth from the office for temple at the Unitarian Church on the Old Mission Peninsula. But Monday's event was important, Bahle said, because the walk happens to happen at the beginning of a new Jewish year. This year also marks the fifth anniversary of the congregation and Bahle said she is pleased with the growth of her membership. There are about 65 families who are members. "When we started this five years ago somebody said if you get 10 families up there you'll be lucky," Bahle said. |
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