Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

sofer

noun
/ˈsoʊfər/
Definition
A sofer is a Jewish scribe who is trained in the meticulous art of writing sacred texts according to religious law.
Examples
  • The sofer spent hours crafting the new Torah scroll.
  • During the ceremony, a sofer demonstrated his skills in writing a mezuzah.
  • Every sofer must undergo rigorous training to ensure he can fulfill his duties correctly.
Meaning
The term ‘sofer’ comes from the Hebrew word meaning ‘to count’ or ‘to write’. A sofer is responsible for creating Torah scrolls, tefillin, and mezuzot, ensuring that these texts are written perfectly and accurately, as they hold significant spiritual importance for the Jewish community.
Synonyms
  • scribe
  • calligrapher
  • writ