A joyous celebration at the Cape Town Sephardi Synagogue marked the donation of a new Sefer Torah to the congregation by Ohad and Beverly Gabay – bringing together community members, rabbis and guests for a significant moment in the life of the synagogue.
The donation was the culmination of a journey that began several years ago, when Ohad Gabay discussed the mitzvah of writing a Sefer Torah with Rabbi Naftali Silver, the incumbent leader of thesynagogue.
“One of the final mitzvot in the Torah is the mitzvah to write a Sefer Torah,” Rabbi Silver explained. “We had spoken about it some years ago and Ohad began the process of making it happen. He is tremendously grateful to have been able to complete it.”
The occasion was celebrated by a large gathering at the synagogue, with Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein among those attending.
“It was a phenomenal event,” said Rabbi Silver. “What was particularly special was seeing so many people coming to experience our community and to share in the celebration.”
The new Sefer Torah also reflects the distinctive traditions of Sephardi Jewry. Rabbi Ruben Suiza, Rabbi Emeritus of the Cape Town Sephardi Congregation, who is himself a sofer (a person with the traditional skills needed to hand-write sacred texts) explained that it will “enhance and reinforce our congregation and the unique traditions of our customs and history”.
Unlike the Torah scrolls familiar to many Ashkenazi congregations, a Sephardi Torah is housed in a metal case or a rigid, upright wooden case, often beautifully decorated in silver or gold colours, with rimonim – bells – on top. An inscription inside records the names of donors and those in whose memory the Torah may have been donated.
The wooden case, with its inner velvet lining, helps protect the Torah from the elements and can preserve its integrity for decades – and sometimes centuries. In keeping with Sephardi tradition, the Torah is read while standing upright on the bimah, which Rabbi Suiza described as giving it “greater dignity and elevation”.
There are also differences in the writing style. The traditional Sephardi script, known as Vellish, is ancient and follows specific requirements of Halacha. Often written with a reed quill, although a feather may also be used, its letters have a distinctive, more rounded appearance.
Yet Rabbi Suiza emphasised that these differences in tradition do not alter what lies at the heart of the Torah. “All Sifrei Torah, whether Sephardi or Ashkenazi, contain the exact same text, mitzvot and number of words and letters,” he said. “This confirms that Bnei Yisrael are and will always be one.”
For the Gabay family, the donation also carries a strong connection to both South Africa and Israel. Beverly is originally from Cape Town, while Ohad is Israeli and lived in Johannesburg for many years before the family made their home in Cape Town.
Rabbi Silver believes occasions such as this provide an opportunity to celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of Jewish life in the city.
“The Sephardi synagogue is unique in many ways, and this community is an incredibly important part of Jewish life in Cape Town – particularly for those with Sephardi heritage,” he said.
For congregants and visitors alike, the celebration was a reminder of the continuity represented by a Sefer Torah – linking generations through Jewish learning, tradition and communal life.
“We must continue to complete Sifrei Torah and celebrate each one,” said Rabbi Silver. “Each celebration reminds us that our work is never finished. We must keep growing in Torah and mitzvot, creating more joyous moments like this.”
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