Jewish prayer book.

[Chessman]

I have a friend who has inherited a Jewish prayer book, (Seder), with the instructions that it must never be put on the ground, or photocopied, the ground part is self explanitary, but can somone explain the photocopying bit please?

Many thanks.

[ondemania]

errm isnt that just as self explanitary?

[Clanad]

The scriptures must be inscribed by hand by a trained scribe using a traditional ink recipe and a quill from a kosher fowl. "Kosher" is Hebrew for "proper," and refers to particular animals that are considered fit for Orthodox Jews to touch or eat.
      Many American Jews don't realize that a machine-printed or photocopied paper scripture is not kosher.
Your friends Suddur is obviously a kosher document, written on the skins of kosher animals by a scribe as described above and greatly treasured...

[Chessman]

ondemania,

No, for various reasons, that isn't self explanitary.

Clanad,

Thanks very much, my wife is Jewish, and she says that what you have said applies very much to the Torah, but not to the Siddur, (thanks for the correct spelling), because  it is the Torah that is the scriptures, not the Siddur.

[Clanad]

Problem is, Chessman, with defference to your wife... if the Prayer Book was constructed kosher, and contains verses from the Torah, Midrash, Talmud or Mishnah or contains one of  the seven Names (Deut. 12:34), then it cannot be photocopied and remain kosher.  Jewish tradition prohibits old and worn out sacred texts (including photocopies) to simply be disposed of in the garbage. On the contrary, they must be accorded a dignified burial in a cemetery. If this Siddur becomes wornout, then it must be disposed of as described... Shalom!  Shalu Shalom Yerushalayim...

[Chessman]

Thanks very much Clanad,

You've explained that beautifully, my wife defers to your superior knowledge, i've passed your answer on, it actually was for a lady Baptist minister, a friend of the family, the Siddur was left to her, and she says she'll be eternally grateful.