Gevil - Definition of gevil

Definition of gevil

According to Jewish Law, a sefer Torah (scroll) should be preferably written on gevil.

Gevil is a form of skin made from the whole hide, after the hair is removed. The precise requirements for processing gevil are laid by the Talmud, Geonim and Rishonim. They were reconfirmed as "the law according to Moses" by Maimonides, in his Mishneh Torah. According to law, the preparation of gevil hide must include salt, flour and mey afatzim (wasp residue/gall-nut water). Gall nuts—rich in tannic acid—are a tree's reaction to an invasive parasitic wasp's egg; the pure black tint of the ink used on Torahs results from the reaction between the tannic acid and iron sulfate (a powder used to make the ink).

There are three forms of skin known to Jewish law. The other two qualities result from splitting the hide into two layers; however, there is some confusion about their identification. Others deviate from this process, and use modern chemical processes. However, some believe that this invalidates the parchment for scribal use.

According to the Halakhot Gedolot, klaf is the inner layer, adjacent to the flesh, while dukhsustos is the outer layer, on which the hair grows. The same view is expressed in the oldest extant manuscripts and critical editions of Maimonides' Mishneh Torah and the Babylonian Talmud. This is also the same definition which appears in the minor Talmudic tractate called Sofrim. However, more recent authorities reverse the two descriptions, and many printed editions of the Mishneh Torah are "adjusted" to reflect this. The reason for this original adjustment away from the original definition is a mystery. Some suspect that copying errors are to blame. As a result, many have become confused, in terms of which part of the skin should be used for writing. Using the full hide known as gevil for Sifrei Torah does avoid this issue, unfortunately this solution won't work tefilin which must be written on Klaf and are not kosher if written on gevil.