Torah Scrolls - A Torah scroll is made of parchment (paper-thin kosher animal skin), attached at each end to a wooden roller.
A person called a scribe carefully writes all the words of the Torah on the parchment sheet. This process takes a long time. He must use a special quill (pen) and ink. If he makes a mistake in words referring to God, he has to discard the sheets he is working on. If he makes a mistake on any other word, he may erase it. It is very important that there are absolutely no mistakes in the Torah, as it is our guidebook for life.
A silver pointer (called a "Yad") is used to read the Torah out loud since the parchment cannot be touched during the reading.
When rolled up, the Torah scrolls are covered with velvet or silk covers, for protection. The also usually have a silver crown and breastplate.
Hakafot - Hebrew for encirclements. We also use this term to refer to the bride's circling the groom seven times in modern weddings.
Tallitot - plural of tallit, the prayer shawl worn by men during morning prayers.