The Symbolic Representation of the Sefer Torah - Maqom

to the synagogue or even touch a holy book. The Magen Avraham adds that they were prohibited fromlooking at the Sefer Torah. The Turei Zahav (quoting earlier rabbinic sources) clarifies that menstruatingwomen should not look at the Torah when the chazzan displays it to the congregants (during hagbahah).To allow women to express their need to be attached to the Sefer Torah, prior to World War II it wascommon in Europe for the women to prepare the Torah’s sash, or what was popularly called a wimple. 81 Itwas a long usually linen sash used as a binding for the Sefer Torah. In some cases it was made from thecloth used to swaddle a baby boy at his circumcision.Hamberger 2000, pp. 332 – 604 offers a lengthy presentation of all aspects of the wimple from thetime of the Talmud to the present. From the period of the early rabbis women had been involved in itspreparation. It was considered a mitzvah to sew and embroider the wimple, even on Saturday night when itwas customary for women not to work. Illiterate woman had the men prepare the text, and then they wouldembroider over it. In some communities, virgins or brides were sought after to perform this task. Otherssaw this deed as a segula (virtue) for barren women. It was most popular for mothers of a new born boy touse the cloth from the circumcision to prepare the wimple. If the mother lacked the talent to do the work,her immediate female relatives were called upon. In some cases outside professional help was sought.The wimple was brought to the synagogue when the circumcised boy reached a certain age. Eachcommunity designated the age they thought appropriate. This ceremony usually had little or nothing to dowith the mother, but rather focused on the father and son. They would be called to the Torah to present thewimple. If the boy was too little to come with the father (e.g., at the age of 6 months), the mother wouldbring the baby to the synagogue (and then give him to his father) and at the same time while visiting thesynagogue, the mother would recite the customary blessing said after birth. If the woman came to pray inthe woman’s section the boy would sit with his mother until called. After the Torah reading was completedthe boy would then return to his mother. Women would also buy the honor of folding the wimple. Therewere a number of synagogue functions that were considered women’s tasks and would be auctioned off astheir mitzvah; these included preparing candles, sweeping the synagogue and folding the wimple. In some81 A Yiddish word from the German “cloth.” In old German it meant to cover up.35