The 613th Mitzvah

ועתה כתבו לכם את השירה הזאת דברים לא:יט

And now write for you this song... Deuteronomy 31:19

As the final commandment recorded in the Five Books of Moses, the precept of writing a Sefer Torah is incumbent upon every Jew. Indeed, fulfilling this mitzvah is reckoned as an awesome source of merit and blessing in one’s life. Though only select individuals have the skill and expertise to actually write a Torah, one may fulfill one’s Biblical obligation by sponsoring a Sofer (qualified scribe) to write a Torah on one’s behalf. Those not in the position of underwriting the cost of an entire Torah may choose to sponsor a single book, portion, chapter, verse or even letter within a communally-written Torah.

As we embark on our Sefer Torah campaign to write a new Torah for our community we invite you to fulfill the 613th Mitzvah.