HAGBAH, the process of lifting up the TORAH practiced by ASHKENAZIK Jews at the conclusion of the TORAH reading, is both physically and psychologically taxing. It is physically taxing because of the need to balance and lift a heavy Torah scroll and psychologically taxing because of the public outrage if the scroll is dropped with the consequent rabbinic penalty of a 40-day fast. Jews in some SEPHARDIC Synagogues are not subject to such trauma since their TORAH is free standing in a circular case. After the TORAH is read in an upright position the case is closed and no precarious lifting is required. ASHKENAZIK Jews however must lift the Torah from a horizontal position resting on a table elevate it above one’s head then roll and wrap the Torah. This process is called HAGBAH and GALILAH. Since the Torah is a heavy object, the task is often quite challenging, putting the Torah in a precarious position during the process.

I will discuss the challenge of HAGBAH by applying the laws of physics to this synagogue ritual. In so doing I hope to break down the HAGBAH "MYSTIQUE" and show that it is not great strength, but the application of practical physics that is needed for a successful HAGBAH. I begin by examining two principals of physics: center of mass, and torque. Each object has a center of mass. The center of mass is the point where all the mass is concentrated. To illustrate this concept, try to balance a horizontal stick, 1 meter long, on your finger. If your finger is under the center of mass it is easy to balance. Now, if you slide the meter long stick slightly, it will rotate and fall. A torque causes this action. The torque is the product of a force multiplied by the perpendicular distance from the center of mass. While the center of mass was over your finger, there was no torque. Take the meter long stick and hold it in a vertical position. The center of mass is directly over your hand. Again, in this position there is no torque. However, if you tilt the stick at 45 degrees, you feel a torque immediately acting on your wrist.

When lifting the TORAH to perform HAGBAH, we want to eliminate all unnecessary torques. The Torah scroll is located on two wooden spindles. Each spindle has two sets of circular disks. The Torah scroll is often concentrated on one of the two spindles. At the beginning of a new year the Torah scroll is located on the left spindle called "ATZEY CHIAM", and as the year progresses and more is read, the mass shifts to the right.

To begin the HAGBAH process grip the two handles of the Torah. Open the Torah by rolling outward until you see a seam. Continue to roll until the seam is in the middle of the open section. The seam is the strongest part of the parchment. It will absorb the most stress without tearing and should be positioned at the center of the scroll before lifting. The Torah handles should be at least the width of your shoulders or about three full columns. Place one foot closer to the table on the side where the scroll is concentrated. Lift the Torah up about 4 inches and pull the Torah toward you over the bottom ledge of the table, until one-third is over the edge. Push down quickly on the handles bending your knees as you push down. The edge of the table will act as a fulcrum and your force will produce a torque that will project the center of mass of the Torah upward. As the Torah rises, snap your writs, straighten your knees, move your hands directly under the Torah to minimize the torque. The center of mass is then directly over your hands. Move your elbows close to your body, so that the Torah in a vertical position while its center of mass remains over your hands. The torque is minimized, because the distance to the center of mass is small.

Slowly rotate the open Torah scroll clockwise one complete rotation. Although the laws of physics do not require this act, it will ensure that the entire congregation has the opportunity to see the columns and words of the Torah. Slowly sit down in the prepared seat keeping the Torah in a vertical position at all times.

The man doing GALILAH (Rolling and tying the Torah) will take the upper handles of the Torah and begin to rotate them to close the Torah. A unified effort is required so the person holding the Torah (HAGBAH) rolls the wooden handles from the bottom and person tying the Torah (GALILAH) rolls from the top. The Torah continues to be held until fully closed securely tied and "dressed" with a cloth covering and silver adornments. During this time, the center of mass of the Torah should be located directly over your hands and your hands should be close to your body to minimize the torque.

When the principals of physics are understood and applied, your challenge to perform HAGBAH should be a pleasant one. As the Torah is retuned to the ark, follow behind it in the procession, your smile may be unavoidable since you now know that you not only satisfactorily executed his ritual maneuver but you also save the congregation from participation in a 40 day fast.

Dr. Bertram Pariser is a faculty member in the Electronics Engineering Technology program at TCI, The College for Technology. He has published 14 papers and serves as the Faculty Advisor to Tau Alpha Pi National Honor Society. He has a Ph.D. from Columbia University in Electrical Engineering & Plasma Physics, and BS in Electrical Engineering from MIT.

Dr. Pariser’s has co-founded and advised many venture companies, four of which (Alcide Corporation, Misonix Inc., Innodata Corp., and Enhanced Services Corp merged into Zulu Tech.) are now publicly traded. Dr. Pariser is Vice President of Operations of ValuWare, Inc. a Strategic Market & Business Modeling Systems Software Company and manages ValuWare’s operations, including financing and investor relations.