Halachah 1 — Proportions of a Torah Scroll
A Torah scroll should be written so that its length equals its circumference when rolled.
If written on g’vil, the ideal length is six handbreadths.
If written on k’laf, the precise measurement may vary, provided the length and circumference are equal.
Even if the scroll deviates from the six‑handbreadth ideal, it is valid as long as length and circumference match.
Halachah 2 — Margins and Spacing Between Columns
Standard margins are:
- Below each column: four thumb‑breadths
- Above each column: three thumb‑breadths
- Between columns: two thumb‑breadths
Extra parchment is left at the beginning and end for sewing and for winding onto the staves.
These measurements reflect the ideal mitzvah performance; deviation does not invalidate the scroll.
Halachah 3 — Initial Calculation of Scroll Size
To achieve equal length and circumference:
- One begins with parchment sections six handbreadths wide.
- Each section is tightly rolled into a single coil.
- Additional sections are added until the circumference equals the width.
A silk cord is used to measure accurately.
Halachah 4 — Precision Measuring Tools
A measuring rod of 40–50 thumb‑breadths is prepared, with divisions down to half and quarter thumb‑breadths.
All parchment sections are measured using this rod to determine total scroll length.
Halachah 5 — Writing an Experimental Column
Before writing the scroll, a sample column is written to test handwriting size.
Each column has:
- 17 thumb‑breadths of writing height,
- margins above and below,
- line spacing between every line.
Column width and number of lines depend on script thickness.
Halachah 6 — Calculating the Total Number of Columns
After measuring the sample column:
- the scribe calculates how many columns fit in the coil,
- then compares this with the number of columns required for the Torah text.
If too many columns result, the script is widened.
If too few result, the script is narrowed.
This process is repeated until the calculations align.
Halachah 7 — Ruling the Columns
Once column width is finalized, the parchment is ruled accordingly.
If excess parchment remains beyond the final column, it may be cut away, leaving space for sewing.
Additional parchment may later be added if required; the scroll’s proportions will remain correct.
Halachah 8 — Non‑Standard Widths
If one desires a scroll wider or narrower than six thumb‑breadths, the same calculations apply.
As long as measurements are accurate, length and circumference will remain equal.
Halachah 9 — Definition of Measurements
A thumb‑breadth equals the width of seven barley‑corns placed tightly together.
- Handbreadth = four thumb‑breadths
- Cubit = six handbreadths
All Torah measurements use these definitions.
Halachah 10 — Rambam’s Personal Torah Scroll
The Rambam describes his own Torah scroll:
- column width: four thumb‑breadths
- song columns (Shirat HaYam, Ha’azinu): six thumb‑breadths
- 51 lines per column
- 226 columns total
- total length: approximately 1366 thumb‑breadths
Halachah 11 — Margins Beyond Calculation
An additional six thumb‑breadths were used for margins at the start and end of the scroll.
The scroll was written on ram skin.
One who uses similar measurements (with minor variation) need not redo calculations.
Halachah 12 — Columns per Parchment
One should write:
- no fewer than three columns per parchment,
- no more than eight columns per parchment.
If a parchment could contain nine columns, it should be divided.
At the end of the scroll, even a single column with one verse may stand alone.
Halachah 13 — Sewing the Parchments
Parchments must be sewn using sinews from kosher animals.
Using other materials invalidates the scroll until re‑sewn correctly.
The sewing is a Sinaitic law.
Halachah 14 — Sewing Technique and Staves
One must not sew the parchment along its full height; space is left top and bottom to prevent tearing.
Two wooden staves are attached—one at each end—with sinews, allowing the scroll to be rolled.
Halachah 15 — Repairing Tears
If a tear spans:
- two lines → it may be sewn,
- three or more lines → it may not be sewn.
Exception: if the parchment was processed with gallnut juice, it may be repaired even after three lines.
Tears between columns or words may be sewn.
All repairs must use the same kosher sinews, and care must be taken not to distort any letter.
Core Principle of the Chapter
This chapter teaches that writing a Sefer Torah demands not only textual accuracy, but also mathematical precision, aesthetic balance, and mechanical durability, all in service of preserving its sanctity for generations.
