E - Sephardi Synagogues in the Ottoman Empire and the Balkans

Summary

Three items are used to wrap the Torah scroll in Sephardi synagogues in the Ottoman empire and the Balkans: a wrapper, a binder, and a mantle open at the front. The wrapper is rolled together with the parchment scroll, the binder is bound around both of them, and the mantle is then placed over the scroll. An interior parokhet is customarily hung in Sephardi arks; an outer parokhet is also hung in front of many arks.

Binder, Istanbul, Turkey, early twentieth century (top)

78 × 21–4 cm

Purple silk velvet fabric; raised laid and couched embroidery; lining of green cotton printed in gold Israel Museum, Jerusalem, no. 150/145.

Photo: Avshalom Avital

The velvet binder consists of nine pieces in different shapes and sizes sewn together to form an imperfect rectangle. The embroidered patterns do not match the shape of the binder. At one end there are traces of a ribbon used for tying.

Binder, Izmir, Turkey, early twentieth century (below)

125 × 20 cm

Blue silk satin fabric; laid and couched embroidery in jap silver on a backing of cotton cord; blue linen lining; blue cord for tying

Israel Museum, Jerusalem no. 150/196.

Photo: Avshalom Avital

The binder consists of two strips of blue velvet joined together. One end is in the shape of a triangle, to which are sewn the remnants of a double ribbon for tying. Flowers and foliage tied with ribbon are embroidered along the length of the binder, but their layout does not mirror the shape of the binder.

Binder, Istanbul, Turkey, early twentieth century (top)

122 × 19 cm

Woollen fabric in Paisley patterns in shades of green, black, and red; brown linen lining; cotton cord

Israel Museum, Jerusalem no. 150/146.

Photo: Avshalom Avital

The binder is in a woollen fabric with Paisley patterns— miniature stems and teardrop shapes—in green, black, and red against a light brown background. One end of the binder is in the shape of a triangle, to which is attached a cotton cord for tying.

Binder, Bulgaria, 1896/7 (below)

135 × 20 cm

Green velvet fabric; cotton lining; embroidered using filling stitch

Private collection

The binder is made of green velvet. One end is in the shape of a triangle, to which is attached a ribbon for tying. Donated by Solomon Aaron Cappon for the repose of the soul of his father.