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More than 3,000 years ago — amid frightful thunder, a lighting streaked sky and the exceedingly loud blast of a trumpet — the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob descended in fire, filling the mountain with dense smoke.

"… the smoke rose like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled violently. The blare of the horn grew louder and louder. As Moses spoke, God answered him in thunder." (Exodus 19:18b -19 - JPS version)

Thus was Torah entrusted to the care of the ancient Hebrews and protected by "cohanim" (priests) through the ages. Held by the Jewish people as their most sacred tome, faithful and exact handwritten reproductions have been in use worldwide by the Jewish community.

The writings, considered a comprehensive record of Jewish literature and oral tradition, are inscribed on a parchment scroll and used during services. Just as the Torah represents the ultimate covering over the people of God, the scroll is wrapped in a rich, velvet mantel, emblazoned with a silver breastplate and kept secured in a wooden cabinet (an ark).

Realizing that Naples never had a Torah written especially in the name of the 12,000 or so local Jews, Rabbi Fishel Zaklos felt led to spearhead the solemn project of commissioning a handwritten Torah. Along with the help of Art Seigel and Dr. Mark J. Moskowitz, and under the banner of oneness of heart and unity of spirit, a new Torah will be born on Sunday.

"The Torah symbolizes unity, hope, unconditional love. It is our prized possession and the one common thread that unites us all. It is time for Naples to have their own copy," said Zaklos, founder of Chabad Jewish Center of Naples.

Jewish law dictates that every person is obligated to write a Torah. This admonition is taken from the last of 613 mitzvoth (commandments). Since only a scribe is authorized to actually write a Torah, the obligation can only be fulfilled by having a scribe serve as the representative in fulfilling the directive.

The undertaking will, in effect, give each member of the Naples Jewish community the opportunity to personally fulfill the commandment by sponsoring a letter, word, chapter, portion or an entire book. Sponsorships may be made in the memory of a loved one, to celebrate a wedding, mark an anniversary or to thank a friend.

Zaklos enlisted the expertise of world-renowned scribe Rabbi Moshe Klein of Brooklyn, N.Y., to oversee the demanding project. "A scribe must undergo very intensive training. All Torahs are exactly the same as when it was given to Moses," Zaklos said. "Rashi, Talmud commentator, teaches that all Torahs are exactly the same, have the same style and the same number of letters and words. There are 304,805 letters in Torah."

Klein will write the first paragraph on Sunday and then send it to Israel where another highly trained scribe will complete the project. Before starting the holy task, Zaklos explained, "the scribe performs the ‘L’Shem Kedushat Mitzvah,’ in which he audibly recites the names of each sponsor, thereby infusing their spirits into the work."

The painstaking process includes the use of kosher feather pens and vegetable inks to form each calligraphic-like stroke onto parchment made from kosher animal skins. According to Klein, the scribe must also pronounce each word before he writes it. If a single word is misspelled or missing, the Torah is deemed useless.

"The law is that if one letter is missing or incomplete it becomes invalid. It is disqualified. Working eight to nine hours a day, it will take about seven months to complete. The Torah will then be returned to Klein for final scrutiny. If accepted as a perfect, beautiful and impeccable work, the grand dedication will be held next December," Zaklos said excitedly.

He went on to say: "The Torah will be dedicated for the physical and spiritual well-being of the entire community; for their health, prosperity, safety, security and tranquility and for peace and happiness within their families.

"The Torah is such a worldwide and strong symbol for all Jews everywhere. It is the one thing that brings us together. It has been our source of light and blessing during difficult times. It had been our means of preservation and a way for us to reach out to others. It is our ultimate symbol of unity and hope."

When asked about his message to the entire Naples’ community of Jewish people, Zaklos replied: "My message and wish is that of the voice of the Torah. In the Jewish community, we all help each other regardless of the level of observance, knowledge or background. We don’t have labels. Labels are for clothing.

"If there is one Jew who doesn’t feel a part of the Jewish community, then we are all incomplete. We want all Jews to feel they have a home and feel part of this community. We are here to help fill their physical and spiritual void. I believe that this project is bringing out this message."

Zaklos and his wife, Rebbetzin Ettie Zaklos, lead their growing congregation on Seagate Drive, which he describes as having experienced "exponential growth" in a short time. His wife is also a community leader and mother of two boys. She leads several educational groups and coordinates activities around the Jewish holiday calendar. Their signature event is Hankkah Candle Lighting held annually at the Village on Venetian Bay, which is open to the public.

Regarding the center, Zaklos said, "I was asked by the project leaders what was my drive to come to Naples. I told them that I came to embrace the community. My older brother, Yosef, for whom the Torah project is dedicated, inspired me to be a community activist. He loved people and always had a positive outlook, even in the face of his terminal illness.

"He showed me to wherever you are, you should appreciate your blessings and never take anything for granted. I thank God that we are blessed with so many positive relationships with other Jewish organizations. We are truly one in Torah."

Yosef Yitzchak Zaklos, a rabbinical student, succumbed at age 19 to Ewing’s sarcoma.

Leaders of local Jewish synagogues and groups, east coast Jewish Centers and visitors from New York, Michigan and other parts of the country will witness the historic event at the Ritz-Carlton Beach House. Kosher refreshments will be served and traditional Israeli music will be provided by SIMCHA.

For information contact Rabbi Fishel or Ettie Zaklos at 262-4474 or torah@chabadnaples.com. Contact the Chabad Jewish Center of Naples at www.chabadnaples.com. Contact Jean Amodea at jean@entertainmentdirect.org.