This week we read the very last mitzvah in the Torah: every Jew must write a Sefer Torah. 

Although the words of the Torah are the same, Ashkenazim and Sephardim have different style scrolls. Ashkenazi Torahs are wrapped around wooden poles and covered with a soft velvet mantle while Sephardim keep their Torahs in hard ornamented cases. 

This is not the only difference in how we treat our Torahs. When we read from the Torah during the service, Ashkenazim lay the Torah down on the bimah and read from it. Sephardim, on the other hand, read from the Torah while it is standing upright on the bimah. 

Interestingly, the original argument about how to read from the Torah was not between an Ashkenazi and a Sephardi, it was between two Ashkenazim in the Middle Ages: Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam. The disagreement stemmed from differing opinions on what gives more honour to the Torah – standing or sitting. In our own experience, for example, the Prime Minister stands during an address and his audience sits. On the other hand, the Queen would sit when she spoke to us, and parliament would stand and listen. Both are out of respect. 

Rashi was of the opinion that standing is more dignified and the Torah scroll must always be kept in an upright position, both during reading and while in the Ark. Rabbeinu Tam argued that the Torah should always be lying down, both for reading and in its place in the Ark, for to make the Torah stand is not respectful at all. 

A better-known version of this argument is the mezuzah. There are differing opinions whether we should put our mezuzot horizontally or vertically. The Sephardic custom is to put their mezuzot upright. Ashkenazim take the middle road and put their mezuzot on slant. 

We actually make the same compromise for the Torah scroll. You may have noticed that the bimah that we read the Torah from is actually on a slant – it isn’t flat. This isn’t just for convenience. We actually want to follow both opinions to the best of our ability. In this way, when the Torah is on the Bimah, it’s not standing upright and it’s not lying flat either.

Differing opinions and learned disagreement are part of a long-standing Jewish tradition, but like any parent, G-d is delighted when He sees His children getting along. As we approach Rosh Hashanah, let us take heed from the opening words of this week’s Parshah, “You are all standing together before G-d,” and consider how we can be more amenable to others and their opinions, even while keeping the words of the Torah intact.