The Torah service has always intrigued me. It's a major highlight of a prayer service. It also has a very high concentration of rituals. What I find interesting is the way that we demonstrate our reverence to the Torah. Don't get me wrong, I believe that the Torah should be revered, but it seems that some of our rituals walk a fine line between reverence and respect and idolatry.
The Torah is dressed in garments befitting of a king or queen. We march it around in a grand processional where people kiss it. We rise in its presence and even have specific rituals to give it a proper "burial" when it no longer can serve its purpose.
Is this reverence to God's word or has the Torah become an idol? Does the average Joe (or Jacob) like me understand those nuances? Could a normal person explain how all of these rituals when done with a Torah are ok but when done with a statue of the Deity of the day becomes idolatry?
If our rituals do not constitute idolatry, what actions relative to the Torah would? Where do we draw the line? What wouldn't be ok?
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I too have always disliked the idea of dressing the Torah up in garments of lavish nature. Though I understand something so holy to us should be honored and admired, I wonder does the poor Jewish synagogue who cannot afford beautiful crowns and plates to ornament their Torah with feel that they are doing theirs injustice? On the other hand, is the more important practice not the celebration with the Torah which if done correctly does not need a single penny to perform? In our congregation (and many other i suppose) we parade the Torah around the room with everyone standing in the aisle reaching for the one touch they get as it goes by. However, the practice I enjoy much more, is taking the torah out (usually works best outside in a big field...) and dancing with it! Make it a big festivity where everyone has the opportunity for merriment and they're moment with the Torah (however they choose to use it). It is not about worshiping it, but celebrating it. After all... it is not the Torah that needs our praise, it is us that need the celebration.
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