Oklahoma Wesleyan University has a new display of an early 1700s Sephardic Torah Scroll in the Drake Library. The scroll was donated to OKWU by Ken and Barb Larson through their organization, God’s Ancient Library. Dr. Scott Carroll also helped the Larson’s with the scroll.

University President Dr. Everett Piper said the Torah Scroll is a tremendous gift that has been bestowed on OKWU. The complete torah covers the first five books of the Bible and the donation was valued at $185,000.

The scroll is originally from Morocco and has been used for teaching by Oklahoma Wesleyan University professors since its donation. Dr. Piper said the torah was moved to Israel mostly likely because Jews were fleeing persecution. He said what is known from history is that they would sometimes take these documents that became non-kosher (meaning they could no longer be used in a synagogue for worship) and be sold by the Jews in Israel in order for them to gain capital and regain their lives.

Dr. Piper said that this donation of the Torah Scroll capitalizes on OKWU's second pillar of their mission statement: the Primacy of Christ and the Priority of Scripture.

At OKWU, they believe the Bible is more than an ancient book of literature. Instead, they believe that it is the Living Word of God. Dr. Piper said the Torah Scroll will allow Oklahoma Wesleyan University professors to teach their students about that truth and how the Word has been protected for centuries.

The addition of a custom museum quality display built by local craftsmen Tim Sydebotham and Mike Baldrachi now allows it to be viewed and studied to its full effect. Prior to the creation of the display case, OKWU staff had the Torah Scrolls tucked away in their offices. Dr. Piper said Sydebotham and Baldrachi heard about the Torah through their pastor Sherman Jacquess at Matoka Baptist Church and decided to act.

The Torah can be viewed during normal business hours on the first floor of OKWU’s Drake Library Monday through Friday.