The first known Torah written and produced by women will be dedicated at Seattle Kadima Saturday after an eight year odyssey.
When Seattle Kadima decided to commission its Torah, it was decided it would be written and produced by women. Under Orthodox tradition, women could not read from or even touch the Torah, much less reproduce it with pen and ink. Scribes were traditionally male, but Seattle Kadima sees this production as a step toward egalitarianism.
A rabbi in Israel agreed to teach two women from Kadima how to write on the condition his identity remain secret. Over time, women from Canada, Brazil and across the United States joined the project as scribes and researchers.
They wrote the Torah on 62 parchment panels purchased in Israel. They used traditional ink and quills from kosher birds. They sewed the panels together using needles of silver or gold.
Women will read from the historic Torah Saturday, October 16 during Sabbath service at Hillel UW.
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