Description

The number of lines per parchment in the Torah scroll is a matter of debate, dating back to the medieval period. R. Jacob ben Asher in his magnum opus the Arba’ah Turim Tur (YD 275) records two positions: Maimonides (Hilchot Sefer Torah 7:10), who advocates for 48, and R’ Judah ben Barzillai of Barcelona, who suggested the number 42. Aside from aesthetic appearance or logistical convenience, what might these numbers be coming to tell us?