Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Gifts of Grandeur: A Silver Yad, c. 1797

The Victoria & Albert Museum


A “yad” is a pointer used in Jewish worship to motion to or touch the Torah. This silver Yad ends in the shape of a hand—a traditional form for such items. This yad features a cylindrical handle with a fluted band round the middle, and a suspension ring for hanging.


The yad helps the reader to follow the sacred text of the Torah (the scroll containing the Pentateuch--the first five books of the Hebrew Bible). Yads are usually made of silver, and sometimes set with precious stones on the index finger of the pointer. When not in use, the yad is hung over the breastplate that is suspended from the staves of the Torah.


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