Buying a Sefer Torah, Tefillin and Mezuzot
 

Buying a Sefer Torah, Tefillin and Mezuzot only from Sofer Stam

Video courtesy of website: wwww.soferstam.org
 
 

Buying a Sefer Torah, Tefillin and Mezuzot only from Sofer Stam

 
 Unless you know who you are buying from, you may easily be cheated and lose the mitzvah which you so much hoped to fulfil. Because only people who understand the work of a Sofer can tell the difference between good work and bad work and even between 'kosher' mezuzuot etc and pieces of useless paper or cardboard or klaf.

Writing a kosher mezuzah takes a few hours, because every letter must be formed exactly according to hundreds of halachot (rules) – which may easily disqualify the mezuzah or tefillin or a whole Sefer Torah. So a low price will give you a hint that something is wrong. But that is not enough.

Anyone can photocopy a mezuzah, or even a whole Sefer Torah, and most people will not detect the deception. And there are many ways that the work of a real Sofer might be rendered useless. If the Sofer fears for his money more than he fears God, he can easily 'correct' his work in a way that will elude all methods of detection, but his work will be completely Pasul (of no value). So, in fact, everything depends on him. And if you buy from the wrong person, you will never know that what you bought is not a real mezuzah, tefillin or Sefer Torah.

Unfortunately, this is the situation today: there are many forgeries of different sorts – from cheap simple but cleverly-made photocopies, or badly written work of an incompetent/unqualified scribe to the beautifully written work of a non-Jew, whose work may excellent, but absolutely Pasul. It is enough that one letter of a Sefer Torah was not written according to the halachot to disqualify it altogether.

So what do we suggest? We suggest that you buy only from a Sofer himself. And only one that is known to be reliable. One that has a certificate from a recognized rabbi or rabbinate. And if you are bulk-buying, then you should be even more particular checking up his credentials.
In Israel there is a forum of Sofrim with a list on-line that you may use to find such a Sofer. All those in the list are certified and some are well-known and have had many years of experience.

And in case this is not enough to persuade you to buy directly from the Sofer, remember too that the price is lower when there is no middle man (shops etc). Shops also look for the cheapest Sofrim, who only too often are not experts in their work, to say the least. And the man in the shop himself may not be so reliable either.

 

For further questions you can write and consult us by email
or.lasofer@gmail.com
 

Buying a Sefer Torah, Tefillin and Mezuzot only from Sofer Stam

 
  

 


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