A yad, popularly known as a Torah pointer, is used by the reader to follow the text during the Torah reading from the parchment Torah scrolls. This ensures that the sacred and often fragile parchment is not touched or damaged during the reading. Even though silver is the most common material, yads can be made in any number of materials, and often resemble a small hand with its index pointer stretched out. Since yads are required for reading from the Torah, they make an excellent Bar or Bat Mitzvah gift and can become a treasured family heirloom.
