Will the gevíl Torá become extinct

From Safon.org

[edit] (Press release from the Gevil Institute of Jerusalem / Eric Eisen, main ed.)

Jerusalem, Israel, June 2005: As time goes by, important legal aspects of our Jewish faith appear to be fading away. Surprisingly, very few of our religious leaders seem to be aware of this phenomenon. One such example of this fading light involves the “institution” of gevíl animal hide, which is traditionally used as the authentic and required writing material in sefarím (Torá scrolls).

Many of our grandparents still remember (with tears) the glow of their synagogue’s “gevíl” Torá scroll, as it was proudly shown to the congregants during the weekly and Shabbát prayers. Up until just one generation ago, gevíl had always been the standard type of animal hide used throughout the Sefardí, Andalusí and Mizraḥí world. The former Sefardí Chief Rebbí Mordechai Eliyahu Shlit”a still uses it. No one doubts its authenticity or accuracy, in terms of satisfying the Jewish Law beyond any doubt, better than any other material.

The antiquity and authenticity of gevíl can be verified from the Talmudic tractate Babá Batrá (14b), which mentions how Moshé (Moses) used gevíl for the Torá scroll he placed into the Arón hakkódesh (Holy Ark). Also, in another tractate (Gittín 54b) we find mention that Torá scrolls were written on gevíl. HaRambam (Maimonides) said that non-gevíl Torá scrolls were problematic, because all scrolls are required to be processed with salt, flour and meŋafaṣím (wasp resin). He said that this is the law from Moshé as given on Har Sináy. Other supporters included haRambán, haRashbá and the Vilna Ga’ón.

Now, it has become necessary to re-publicise gevíl before it is too late. Unfortunately, many of our youngsters know little or nothing about the heritage of their grandparents. To answer this challenge, a new “Gevíl Revival” campaign to educate and preserve the institution of gevíl has been started by the Gevil Institute of Jerusalem. For more information about this authentic parchment legacy, you can visit their web site at http://www.globaljms.co.il. The Institute’s founder would be more than happy to answer any of your specific questions.