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Torah case

Many Sephardic communities mount their Torah scrolls in cases, made of metal or wood and often elaborately decorated. In Hebrew the case is called a 'Tik' - a container. They often have 2 posts on top on which the Rimonim - silver finials - are stored. These scrolls in their cases are stored upright. They are also read in upright position, as shown. There are no roller handles; the scroll is turned while holding a cloth, so that the reader's hands don't touch the parchment.

Torah writing.Lech Lecha

Torah scrolls from North Africa and Yemen are generally written on a type of deerskin. It is brownish and pliable. The lettering is beautiful and precise. It resembles the font of lettering found in most traditional Hebrew. books. Here we see the end of Parashat Noach and the beginning of Lech Lecha, chapters 11 - 12 in Berieshis - Genesis.

Torah Klaf brown

This parchment has worn through in some places and has been patched with pieces of similar material, which is and acceptable repair for a Kosher Torah scroll.

Ashkenazic Megillah Klaf white

By contrast, this Ashkenazic Megillah is written on very white parchment. The letters are somewhat more ornate with tiny details.

Solitreo.Rabbinic contract

Solitreo is a cursive form of the Hebrew alphabet that was used by Sepharadim for centuries. It is more flowing than Ashkenazic script, with more letters connected. It sometimes has an almost Arabic feel to it. It is was used in the Balkans and Turkey and also in the Levant and North Africa. This Rabbinic document is from a Rabbinic court in Jerusalem, in the late 1800s.

Solitreo.signatures

Another feature of Sephardic Rabbinic documents is the signatures. They are elaborate constructions with stylized letters generally built vertically. This too may reflect Moslem influence. Since Islam strictly forbade images, calligraphy became a major art form. Jews in those countries adopted this style of signature.

Solitreo.transcribed

Here is a transcription of the document into modern Hebrew script. Some of the signature names have also been identified. They often begin with the modest title 'Hatzair' = the young.

Solitreo to Berlin

This postcard was sent by a scholar in Jerusalem to another in Berlin, in 1908. It looks even more like Arabic. While some Hebrew names can be read, and the date, the message doesn't appear to be in Hebrew. Perhaps it's Judeo-Arabic.

Bulgaria.Philippopoulos.Ladino

Miniature tefillin

Practicing Jews of all traditions wear Tefillin ('phylacteries') each weekday. The boxes contain 4 Biblical paragraphs. There is an old dispute as to their order. Thus there are 2 types, known for their proponents: Rashi & R' Tam. Some Jews wear a pair of each, sometimes simultaneously! To achieve this, Tefillin were made very small. Compare a full size box to the miniature examples. Others may have wanted to simply conceal them under their hood.

Two pairs of Tefillin together

This image of Rabbi Moshe BenTov shows him wearing both types of Tefillin at the same time.

Amulet.Ana bekoach

Amulets are mentioned in the Talmud. They persisted more in Eastern countries than in the West. Amulets were very popular in Islam which probably reinforced Jewish use in those countries. They usually contain Biblical words or prayers. This one contains the first letter of each word of Ana Bekoach, the prayer of R' Nechunya b. Hakanna. Those 42 letters spell a kabbalistic name of G-d.

Amulet.copper

This amulet was hand-made by punching letters into a copper piece.

Chamsa.Chai

The Hamsa is a hand-shaped amulet, with 5 ('hamsa') fingers. Popular in the middle east and North Africa, it was adopted by Jews in those countries and is now seen in the west. This one is stamped on metal and includes the Hebrew letters for 'Chai', meaning 'life'. It is supposed to give blessings and protection.

Amulet scroll

Sometimes the amulet we see is but a container for some written words letters and diagrams. They may contain kabbalistic combinations and are usually undecipherable unless one has studied this field. This one is written on thick paper and was rolled up inside an ornamental container.

Kadouri.token

Rabi Yitzchak Kadouri was an Iraqi born scholar, kabbalist and holy man. He lived until 103 mostly in the Holy Land. His amulets are highly sought after. This mass-produced one can be worn on a keychain. In addition to his image and name, it shows the Hamsa symbol and a few letter combinations with mystical meaning.

Baba Sali.Tehillim

Rabi Yisrael Abuhatzeira (1889-1984) was a Moroccan-born Holy Man from a distinguished rabbinic family. They were known for their miracle works and greatly revered. The nickname 'Bab Sali' means 'Praying Father'. His funeral was attended by 100,000 mourners. Here we see his image on a miniature book of Tehilim (Psalms) that can be carried in one's pocket.

Baba Sali.silver charm likeness

This bracelet or necklace charm is made of silver and adorned with jewels. More than just jewelry, it would be worn as a charm for blessings and good luck.

Baba Sali Keychain amulet

This fob shows an image of Baba Sali on the front and bears the text of 'Tefilat Haderech' - the traveler's prayer - on the reverse.

Cards of Tzadikim

This assortments of cards all contain long or short blessings. They also all picture the Haham who dispenses them. Holders like to have them in their pocket or wallet and to refer to them regularly.

Amulet.Ovadya Yosef

This key-chain offers "Protection for Travelers". In the center is a picture of Rav Ovadya Yosef, late Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel and a champion of Sephardic law, culture, and assertiveness in Israeli society. His photographic memory and prolific writings made him world famous.

Sepharadi.Kamea.Ovadya Yosef.back

The back offers blessings of "long life, wealth, honor, and success in all your endeavors, you and your whole household." Surrounding is the Priestly Blessing.

Shiviti.wall-hanging

This array of sentences and words is common in every Sephardic synagogue. It is usually mounted right in front of the lectern from which prayers are read. It can also be found printed in Siddurim. This one is palm sized, designed to be hung at home - or in a car. Its called a 'Shiviti' for the first word of the main verse: Shiviti - I see G-d before me always'. Another verse says "Know before Whom you stand".

Rabbi Encaoua's Tomb

Muslims visit ancestral graveyards for the salvation of the souls of the departed and also believe that all sins will be forgiven by praying to Allah. This idea isn't new to Judaism but seems to have been much more prevalent in Sephardic communities, perhaps influenced somewhat by there surroundings. The grave of this Algerian sage was printed on a postcard.

Memorial lamp

Jews commonly light lamps at home to mark the anniversary of a relative's passing - 'Yahrzeit'. Sepharadim, in addition, frequently light lamps when visiting gravesites. This lamp actually pictures such sights in Israel as Rachel's Tomb and the Cave of the Patriarchs (Me'arat Hamachpelah) in Hevron, Israel.

Ladino.Tanach.title page

Jews under Spanish influence developed a number of Judeo-Spanish dialects. The one most common is Ladino. It is the Yiddish of the Sephardic world, so to speak, confined to the lands around the Mediterranean. It was written first in Hebrew letters, as shown in this book of the Jewish Bible. In the 20th century, that gradually changed to Latin letters. Books, newspapers, notices, and of course conversation, all used Ladino. After World War II it rapidly declined in use.

Tanach.Ladino.Bereishit

Here is the beginning of Genesis. This Bible was printed in Turkey but by Christian missionaries. The bible is complete but has subtle changes in the translation that reflect teachings of the Church.

Holiday greeting

This card sends Holiday greetings. The classic Sephardic wish is "Tizku Leshanim Rabot Tovot Une'imot" - 'May you merit many good and pleasant years'. Often heard around Rosh Hashana, this card offers greetings for the Passover holiday. The sender has added comments in Judeo-Arabic.

Mimouna

The Mimouna celebration originated in Morocco, North Africa. It is celebrated the day after Passover and marks past and future redemption. Its themes are salvation, good luck, prosperity and fertility. Ceremonial foods are served, guests are invited, and the number 5 (Hamsa) is prevalent. This little plaque reads Mimouna in Hebrew and Latin letters. It shows a fish, which alludes to the Jews' rescue by crossing the Red Sea on the seventh day of Passover.

Sefaradi Torah

Sefaradi Torah.Vayehi

Turkey.Ladino Tanach

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