Instructions

Important! Please, carefully read all of these instructions completely before beginning the Torah marking process.

Contents

Each Registration Kit contains the following items:

  1. A folder containing Torah Validation Forms. There is one for each Torah that is to be registered. A Marking Guide, with a printed series of dots translating to a unique code, is glued at the top of each Torah Validation Form. No two Marking Guides are alike – each Marking Guide reflects a unique registration number code.Each Torah must be marked using its designated Marking Guide so the Universal Torah Registry can correctly register each Torah. Important: Mark only one Torah at a time.
  2. A tape measure with metric measures (in centimeters).
  3. A pen-like stylus.
  4. A package of special needles used to mark each Torah. The stylus and needles can be used to mark multiple scrolls. There are extra needles included in the event that they bend during the marking process.
  5. A Styrofoam pad that should be placed under the parchment while the Torah is being marked.
  6. A pre-addressed envelope to be used to return all of the Marking Guides and Torah Validation Forms.

All of the methods and materials used for marking are kosher and have been approved by leading rabbinic authorities.

Step One: Measuring The Torah

Set Torah to beginning of the Book of Genesis by rolling the Torah scroll so that all of the parchment is wrapped around the left handle.

Unroll the Torah to the beginning so that Column 3, counting from the right, is completely visible. Next using the enclosed tape measure, measure in centimeters the following:

  • Height of the parchment
  • Height of the 3rd column
  • Width of the 3rd column
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Write the above measurements in the designated spaces indicated on each Torah’s Validation Form. You can also note the unique characteristics of the Torah, the donor or the lender. The Universal Torah Registry will note these in its database.

Step Two: Marking The Torah

Law enforcement agencies conclude that most Torah thieves plan on selling stolen Torahs. The Universal Torah Registry makes resale difficult by marking each Torah in ten separate and widely spaced places, so that a thief will have to replace most of the Torah in order to eliminate the marked segments. The marking system is effective because it makes stealing Torahs unprofitable.

Each Torah must be marked in the following 10 places:

  1. Below the last line of the 3rd column of GENESIS/בראשית
  2. Below the last line of the 17th column of GENESIS/בראשית
  3. Below the last line of the 3rd column of EXODUS/שמות
  4. Below the last line of the 17th column of EXODUS/שמות
  5. Below the last line of the 3rd column of LEVITICUS/ויקרא
  6. Below the last line of the 17th column of LEVITICUS/ויקרא
  7. Below the last line of the 3rd column NUMBERS/במדבר
  8. Below the last line of the 17th column NUMBERS/במדבר
  9. Below the last line of the 3rd column DEUTERONOMY/דברים
  10. Below the last line of the 17th column DEUTERONOMY/דברים

PLEASE NOTE: each Torah that is to be marked and registered has its own Marking Guide to be used ONLY for that Torah.

A / Place the Styrofoam pad under the indicated section of the parchment/קלףwhere you are to mark the code, i.e. below the designated columns. NOTE: The Styrofoam pad will help to prevent the needle from bending. /
B / Take Torah Validation Form #1 containing its marking guide from the Registration Kit. Lift the Marking Guide from the Torah Verification Form. /
C / Place this Marking Guide below the lowest portion of the letters of column 3 of the written parchment. Make sure that the marking guide does not cover any letters of the last line of the Torah text. At the right side of each Marking Guideis an arrow. Place the Marking Guideso that this arrow points to the first letter of the bottom line. Align top of the Marking Guide with the bottom of the lowest letters. /
D / You are now ready to mark the Torah with its registration code in each of the 10 designated places. Take the stylus with needle attached from the kit. While holding the stylus (straight, not at an angle), hold the marking guide in place (Important: do not move the Marking Guide). Pierce a single hole through each of the eight dots of the marking guide. The needle should go through the marking guide and parchment and into the Styrofoam. Do it gently so the needle does not bend. However, if it does we have supplied extra needles in the kit. When you have made all eight marks, set aside this Marking Guide. /
Note: Each Torah that is to be marked and registered has its own marking guide to be used ONLY for that Torah.

Step three: Returning The Marking Guides And Torah Validation Forms

After you have marked each Torah in the total of ten places, you re-attach the marking guide to its Torah Validation Form.

  1. Initial in the proper places, enter the month, day, year and sign where indicated.
  2. Place the marking guide and Torah Validation Form in the large return envelope. When you have completed marking your Torahs, mail all of theTorah Validation Forms and Marking Guides to the Universal Torah Registry where they will be inspected, validated and stored for use if needed in the event a Torah is stolen and recovered by law enforcement agencies.
  3. If everything is in order, you will receive an official Certificate of Registry for each Torah by return mail.
  4. Store your Certificates of Registry in a safe place.

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Universal Torah Registry

225 West 34th Street
Suite 1607
New York, NY 10122
Phone: (212) 983-4800, ext. 132 | E-mail: