A Torah is Written

With knowledge, understanding and fervor, Cowan profiles the highly specialized work of a sofer, the scribe who creates scrolls of Torah. Rabbi Yehuda Clapmanone of a handful of Americans working at this craftpainstakingly prepares natural parchment, ink, and quill for his holy mission. Each page, word and letter must be perfect or the entire Torah can't be used. The step-by-step process is described with much of the same care the Torah receives. Accompanying photographs amplify the text but would have been easier to follow had they been labeled. Yellowish paper aptly reflects the ancient tradition. (8-12)