The pointer or ‘yad’ (hand) is used in Jewish worship. It helps the reader to follow the sacred text of the Torah (the scroll containing the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible). The yad is usually made of silver, and sometimes set with precious stones on the index finger. When not in use, it is hung over the breastplate that is suspended from the staves of the Torah.
Physical description
SilverTorah pointer or Yad (hand) having a cylindrical handle with a ribbed band round the middle, and a suspension ring.
Place of Origin
London, England (made)
Date
1797-1798 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Silver
Marks and inscriptions
Maker's mark RD (?)
London hallmark for 1797-8
Dimensions
Length: 25 cm (258mm including ring), Width: 2.8 cm
Historical context note
Jewish Worship
Judaism is the oldest religion in the world to worship the one God.World Jewry has three main groups: Sephardic, Askenazic and Mizrahi (the Jews who never left the Middle East). All are bound together by a common history and their adherence to the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) and the Talmud (a compendium of rabbinic law and lore).
Jewish religious traditions and rituals centre on the home, the community and the synagogue. Central to Judaism is the observance of the Sabbath. This is a holy day, set apart from the rest of the working week. It begins one hour before sunset on Friday and ends on Saturday evening when three stars can be seen in the night sky.
The Jewish year revolves around a number of festivals, such as Passover. These originated in ancient times and embody multiple layers of meaning, from agricultural festivals to historical events.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Keen, Michael. Jewish Ceremonial Art in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: 1991, 29 p., ill. ISBN 0112904491
Exhibition History
Jewish Worship (Sacred Silver and Stained Glass Galleries, the Victoria and Albert Museum 22/11/2005-22/11/2005)
Labels and date
Pointer
The pointer or 'yad' (hand) is used in Jewish worship. It helps the reader to follow the sacred text of the Torah (the scroll containing the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible). The yad is usually made of silver, and sometimes set with precious stones on the index finger. When not in use, it is hung over the breastplate that is suspended from the staves of the Torah.
London, England, 1797-8; maker's mark indistinct
Silver
Museum no.M.275-1960 [22/11/2005]
Production Note
R D possibly maker's mark
Materials
Silver
Categories
Metalwork; Religion; Ceremonial objects; Judaism
Collection code
MET
