Gevil

Encyclopedia : G : GE : GEV : Gevil

Gevil (often pronounced "gewil") is animal hide that has been prepared (as writing material) for use in such works as a Sefer Torah or Mezuzah. Gevil is an ancient Hebrew word. According to tradition, the ancient Hebrews prepared (and some modern Jews still prepare) hides with salt, flour and mey afatzim (wasp residue/gall-nut water).

Precise requirements for the processing of gevil are laid down in the Talmud, and by the Geonim and Rishonim. Maimonides wrote that it is the law transmitted to Moses on Mount Sinai that a Torah scroll must be written on gevil, and that scrolls that are not prepared according to this method are invalid for use. (Maimonides, Hilkhoth Tefillin 1:14).

According to the Talmud (Tractate Bava Batra 14b & Gitten 54b), gevil existed during the time of Moses (approximately 1280 BC); Moses is described as using gevil for the Torah scroll he placed into the Holy Ark of the Covenant. Elsewhere in the Talmud (Tractate Gittin 54b), there is testimony that Torah scrolls were written on gevil. Today, a handful of Jewish scribes and artisans continue to make scroll material in this way.

Fragments were found in and around the caves of Qumran near the Dead Sea (200 BCE).

Halakoth Geduloth: (a Geonic work from 743ce), Talmud Sofrim: (Qatan), Babylonian Talmud: (200ce: Bava Batra 14b and Gitten 54b), Maimonides/Rambam: (1100-1200 ce: Hilkoth Tefilin / Laws of Tefillin-Chapter 1).