Jessica Prokop – Culture reporter.

A Torah, a sacred and ancient artifact, was donated to Linfield at the end of Fall Semester and is located in the Special Collections section of Nicholson Library.
The Torah that Linfield received was donated from a woman residing in the Seattle, Wash., area. Although she personally delivered the Torah to Linfield, she wishes to remain anonymous, Library Director Susan Barnes Whyte said.
The Antiquarian Manuscript Hebrew Sefer Torah Scroll contains the Five Books of Moses, which comprise Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. These are the first books of the Jewish Bible and the Christian Old Testament.
Although this Torah is considered retired, it was once used in a Jewish synagogue. During synagogue services, certain sections of the Torah are read and chanted. Many rituals accompany the readings.
This particular Torah was valued by a professional appraiser in Los Angeles. The appraiser provided Linfield with the Torah’s appropriate documents.
According to these documents, the manuscript is approximately 200 years old and originates from Yemen. It is scribed in an Arabian Jewish Scriptorium, completely handwritten in Hebrew by Yemenite Jews.
“The Torah is the most sacred book in Judaism,” senior religious studies major Andrew Webber said.
Evidently, the donor discovered Linfield while surfing the Internet. The exact reason she chose to donate the Torah is not clear.
Whyte said she believes it is simply the woman’s mission to donate these kinds of items to schools that she sees fit.
“I think she chose Linfield because she wanted the Torah to be used, not just stored away somewhere,” William Millar, professor and chair of the religious studies department, said.
The donor gave a choice of two Torahs, one from Yemen or one from Morocco. Millar said he chose the Yemenite one because the script was clear and was in better condition.
Webber and senior ASLC Vice President Chris Norman were present when the Torah was delivered. Millar and Webber read and translated some of the script for others who were present.
Linfield is not the only school that has received a Torah. The anonymous donor has also given similar relics to other small colleges and universities. George Fox and Northwest Christian universities are two other recipients.
The Torah is made out of deer skin that was sewn together into one long document and scrolled to attach to two wooden rollers.
At this time, Linfield is still looking for a case to display the Torah in. The display case will make it possible for students to unroll the scroll but will protect the manuscript from being touched or damaged.
Millar said he plans to incorporate the Torah into future assignments for his students who are taking his Hebrew classes.
“It is one thing to learn about, but another to actually see it and touch it,” he said.
The Torah is available for students and classes to view by appointment only.