Kashering of one of our Torahs, Winter 2009

One of our Torahs is currently being kashered by Rabbi Kevin Hale. He sent us a few pictures of the work, along with some comments. Here is what he wrote:

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Here's a glimpse of the trimming work. Note the gold-plated scissors and curls of trimmed klaf in the picture below. I hope to hand off the atzei chaim to my brother this weekend, who says he'd complete the rebuilding by mid-January.

Notice in one or both [of the pictures below], the sewing had come apart mid-seam. That is part of the work, as well as resewing both top and bottom of each seam, since it is cut right through the stitching and reinforcing straps. Also notice the gold-plated scissors used for trimming, following that tradition of not using base metals on torah.

Here's one more photo. I am making up a fresh batch of hide glue for gluing the reinforcing straps on once the trimming and sewing is completed. It begins with taking bits of parchment (trimmings from another similar project) that otherwise would go into the geniza, and boiling it down for a few days until you get an ideal glue for torah work... Tradition, tradition.

kol tuv

Rabbi Kevin Hale
Sofer -- Torah Scribe