In place at last

 Yesterday was a big, big day. 

The commissioning of a Torah scroll is a big deal. It is a big deal both for the people who underwrite it and it is a big deal for the community that is receiving the newly written scroll. The mantle I had made this year 

is dressing the Torah scroll that was being presented last night.  Traditionally when a Torah scroll is presented to a community the scribe leaves several of the last letters outlined  and to be filled in by honorees at the event. 

Yesterday was the big day. The writing of the Torah scroll and the creation of the mantle were both made in memory of Benjy who had died suddenly and far too young.

Everything and everyone was prepared.  A scribe was at the ready. Speeches were made by family members and by distinguished rabbis.

After the ink on the parchment had dried all of the Torah scrolls in the ark were removed so the old Torah scrolls could "greet" their new compatriot . The Torah scrolls were all held under a chuppah  made out of a tallit.

The new Torah scroll was raised before all of the assembled. Then the new scroll was wrapped and dressed in the mantle I had made.

Benjy's father then carried the Torah scroll through the men's side of the synagogue.

Benjy's father's face showed both heartbreak and joy at this complicated moment.

When Benjy's father got to the women's section Benjy's sister carried the Torah through the women's section.

 

We all sang during the procession .

The Torah scroll was returned to the ark.

Benjy's mother has mentioned that having the Torah scroll and mantle that were created in memory of Benjy in her home for these last months had felt almost like having a bit of Benjy's soul at home with her. But she realized that these memorials belonged not in her home but in their community. She was at last ready to move these objects that memorialized her son into the wider world.

The Torah scroll and the mantle I made are now in place ready to be part of this community's life for many years to come.