The Letters of Rabbi Akiva – Otiot De’Rabbi Akiva – Midrashic Story With Video

Letters of the Aleph Beit
Letters of the Aleph Beit

The Letters of Rabbi Akiva – “Otiot De’Rabbi Akiva” is a well known Midrash sharing the story of how God created the universe and all of life. At the beginning of Creation, the holy 22 letters of the Aleph Beit approach God, asking Him to create the world from it – that it should be the first letter of the entire Torah (and life itself!) The story shares how the letters approached God one at a time in reverse order, starting with Tav.

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My Journey to Become a Sofer – Part 8 – My First Teacher and Our Learning Together

Letters of the Aleph Beit
Letters of the Aleph Beit

I was ready for my second lesson! The schedule seemed straightforward – and it really was. In fact, as far as I am concerned, there’s not much more to write about regarding anything out of the ordinary concerning the lessons I had with the young Sofer. Let me share a little though:

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My Journey to Become a Sofer – Part 7 – My New Teacher

TeacherI had finally found someone who it seemed would be able to help me in learning the necessary material to become a Sofer! He was a young man – not more than about 32-34 years old. He seemed focused and sincere. I had told him my story and that I was in need of lessons. We began a first lesson where he began by asking me to draw one of the letters of the Aleph Beit. Of course, I had never drawn a letter before (in the correct script) and simply gave it a try. He seemed relatively pleased, though I still wonder what that letter had looked like – all these years on!

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My Journey to Become a Sofer – Part 6 – Finding a NEW Teacher

Letters of the Aleph Beit
Letters of the Aleph Beit

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I was really excited! I had had my first lesson! I now also had the money to pay for the lessons ahead. I saw good things ahead! It seems however, that it wasn’t to be… Within a week, my teacher had got sick. It looked like he wouldn’t be able to teach me. Unfortunately he was to leave this world from the disease. Not knowing how bad he was at the time, I still waited hoping that thing would improve, though they didn’t! It was a loss for all of us, as I look back and realise that had I only been able to complete my studies with him, I think I would already be writing successfully. In fact, I would have been writing within a couple of months tops! I know that it was definitely his joy to see the pupils he had made – and I am sure he would have felt proud at being responsible for turning me into a Sofer too.

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My Journey to Become a Sofer – Part 5 – Lessons Begin!

Part of Megillah - Practice work - Eliyahu Shear - My Journey to Become a Sofer Part 5!
Part of Megillah – Practice work – Eliyahu Shear – My Journey to Become a Sofer Part 5!

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I was finally going to get started studying! I’d found a teacher! Now, let’s be clear – it’s not that there are no teachers around. There must surely be 100 000 Sofrim worldwide. There must surely be a school of sorts…

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My Journey to Become a Sofer – Part 4 – Finding a Teacher

Owl - Teacher
Owl – Teacher

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Though still teaching via Skype (from this website) and being involved in some other Torah projects, I felt that I needed some other type of career path. I was looking for something more stable in terms of earning a regular income. Living in Israel is not so simple! Making Aliyah over the age of 30 brings with it tremendous tests in terms of one’s finances! Those who don’t take the “dive” to come to live in Israel, lack an awareness of just how difficult it is to earn a proper income here.

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My Journey to Become a Sofer – Part 3 – Simple Beginnings

School Black Board
School Black Board

[Please become a member of our site and gain access to my story of becoming a Sofer. Your support will assist me to complete my studies. Thank you.]

I hope that my posts about my story to becoming a Sofer will also be of aid to those who may be wishing to learn the art of Sofrut. In fact, the journey is not an easy one. If one doesn’t know where to start, then there’s not much of a beginning! One finds oneself wondering what to even do! My own journey started out with a lack of knowledge of knowing what to do. It then developed into a “better idea of things.” Thereafter it seemed like things could still improve, but I’d find out later that I had chosen the wrong path!

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My Journey to Become a Sofer – Part 2

Quill and Ink
Quill and Ink

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I remember when I was coming closer to Yiddishkeit (i.e. following in accordance with the laws of Judaism and really becoming aware of what being Jewish is all about). I obtained a beautiful book written in English. “The Wisdom in the Hebrew Alphabet” by Michael Munk. It is all about the Hebrew letters. Based upon the Gemara Shabbat 104a, it discusses at length the wisdom behind the letters, their meaning, and the reasons behind their shapes. That Gemara in Shabbat is absolutely fascinating! It’s not supposed to be read at just face value!

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My Journey to Become a Sofer – Part 1

Sofer - a Jewish Scribe
Sofer – a Jewish Scribe

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Rabbi Meir said, “When I came to Rabbi Yishmael, he said to me, ‘My son, what work do you do?’ I said to him, ‘I am a Sofer (scribe).’ He said to me, ‘My son, be careful with your work, because your work is the work of Heaven. Maybe you will leave out a letter, or add an unnecessary additional letter. Consequently, you will destroy the entire world!'” (Gemara Eiruvin 13)

Continue reading “My Journey to Become a Sofer – Part 1”