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Torah Scrolls in the Computer Age


Will advances in computer technology change the Torah world? Will they make any difference?The answer to this question must take into account two distinct angles: The writing, and the proofreading of the writing.

Many debates have taken place in modern society regarding the speed in which the printed page is giving way to digital media. Many professions are becoming obsolete as a result of technological advancements and the computerization of various industries. The question is whether the art of Stam (the writing of Sifrei Torah, Tefillin and Mezuzot) is also a vanishing profession, or whether it will be around for eternity?
 
  • Active Writing According to Halacha (Jewish law)


    It seems that Sofrei Stam (Jewish scribes) can rest assured — if there was ever a profession we shall always need, it is the art of writing Stam (Sifrei Torah, Tefillin and Mezuzot). Just as a priest will always remain a priest, so, too, the Sofer Stam will forever be irreplaceable, and the reason for this is halachic (grounded in Jewish law).  According to Jewish law one cannot simply write a Torah scroll using print or photographic media. This rule applies to scrolls intended for ritual use – for going up to the Torah and reading the weekly portion. It does not apply to Torah scrolls used only for educational purposes
    – i.e. Torah study. A valid Torah scroll must be written letter by letter via manual, active writing, and the source for this is the verse: “And now write for you this song” (Deut. 31:19)

    Even if someone were to invent a machine that could grasp a feather quill and write in ink, any Torah scroll that would be written by such a machine would be rendered invalid. The commandment refers to human writing, written by a man’s hand.
  • Computerized Quality Control of the Writing


    The fact that computers cannot replace human scribes does not mean that there is no place for them in the Torah world. On the contrary. Computer technology has been harnessed by the Beis Midrash for Sofrei Stam as a valuable tool for improving quality control over Stam writing.

    It is customary today — both for Torah scrolls manufactured by Beis Meleches HaKodesh and for Torah scrolls produced elsewhere — that once the writing stage is completed the scroll undergoes a series of proof readings. Some of these rounds of proofreading and quality checks are administered by computers using uniquely programmed software that knows how to identify errors and point them out.
  • Not By The Computer Alone


    Even in this context, the computer is only an auxiliary tool. One cannot rely completely and solely on computer checkups. This is why, in addition to two computerized scans, we also run the Torah scroll through two manual proofreads, as well as one final proofread that is carried out by a Torah scholar who is familiar with both scripture and the laws of Stam.