Symmetrically Designed Sifrei Torah: A Quantitative Analysis - Hakirah

222 : Hạkirah, the Flatbush Journal of Jewish Law and Thought
(1’) r = √(nwt/π)+ r etz
2
(2’) Circumference = 2π( √(nwt/π)+ r etz
2
)
Case 3—Two Rollers
Case 2 represents the early S”T when only a single roller was used
(figure (a) below). Rambam’s S”T was rolled toward the center
around two atzei chaim (figure (b)). Since the 2 smaller circles are
identical 75 we can use equations 1’ and 2’ to calculate the radius, r s , of
each of the circles. In this situation the number of pages is n/2, i.e.
one half of the actual number of columns in the S”T, since half of
the Sefer is on the left etz 76 and the other half is on the right etz.
(a)
(b)
75 At any point in time the S”T can have more pages on one side than on
the other. However, our objective is to measure the circumference of
the S”T at its maximum when covered. This is achieved when the S”T
is rolled to its center.
76 This very slightly overstates the situation, since the parchment that
bridges the space between the 2 circles contains a small amount of
surface area that is not being included in our calculations.