Rollers

GLENN TRIEST PHOTOGRAPHER

The five books of Moses were
revealed in all their splendor at a
unique Simchat Torah event at
Temple Emanu-El.

emple Emanu-El in Oak Park had a special ceremony last
Shabbat to mark the Simchat Torah holiday and the comple-
tion of the annual cycle dreading the Torah.
Rabbi in Residence Bradley Bleefeld and the congregation
completely unrolled a Torah scroll to read the last paragraphs
of Deuteronomy, the final book of the Bible, and the first chap-
ters of Genesis, the first book.
"It is a way — metaphorically and literally — to have the en-
tire congregation hold up the words of the Torah," Rabbi Bleefeld
said. `The reality is that you need an entire congregation to per-
form this custom."
Most congregations read from two separate Torah scrolls on
Simchat Torah. Rabbi Bleefeld began unrolling a single Torah
on the holiday at his former congregation in Columbus, Ohio,
nine years ago.
Many Jews, he said, have never seen the entire scroll un-
wound and the event led to a wide range of emotions, from awe
to rejoicing.
The Torah was unrolled from the bimah, down the center
aisle of the sanctuary and into the social hall. The rabbi esti-
mated its length at 200-250 feet.

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Congregants hold the Torah scroll as it is unwound,

Jason Kost holds his
personal Torah.