Torah Scroll

[Life_Is_Short]

Why can't Jews touch the Torah? They have a metal tool with which they manipulate it.

 

[awais]

They don't want people's fingers smudging the ink is one reason. Torah scrolls are very expensive to produce and repair, they belong to the community, not individuals, and are kept at the Synagogue, so they are treated with utmost care

You are not supposed to touch the parchment on these scrolls; some say because they are too holy; some say because the parchment, made from animal skins, is a source of ritual defilement; others say because your fingers' sweat has acids that will damage the parchment over time.