Sofer On Site

Consumer Advocacy

The purpose of this section is not to scare you, but to teach you how to be an informed STA”M consumer. Why in the world should you be scared? Unfortunately the writing of Sefer Torah, tefillin and mezuzahs has within it some very unsavory characters that are very eager to sacrifice sanctity for profit. To them this sacred work is strictly a business, and regrettably there have been terrible scams perpetuated on innocent people, where mistakes were made not out of ignorance, but were outright fraud.

So it is of your benefit to become an educated consumer when it comes to the Sefer Torah you read in public, the Tefillin you’re wearing and the Mezuzah you are expecting to protect your home.

L’shaim Mitzvah, we can explain how to identify quality merchandise for your gift shop. There is a bit of misconception surrounding Tefillin and Mezuzot from Israel. Often doubtful goods are sold as “certified under the Rabbinate of Israel” We will clarify the difference between what is Kosher and what is questionable.

Mezuzah

Guidelines

You should always purchase your mezuzah parchment from a Sofer or a reputable source. If you are not sure, check the mezuzah for the following:

· The script must be hand written and not photocopied or printed.

· Ensure the mezuzah is written on klaf and not paper.

· The klaf should not be Mashuach – glazed. These Mezuzot usually crack after the first rolling, which can Pasul them.

· Scrolls that come in a sealed plastic (with a stamp of Kashrut) are usually not kosher and are a sign of fraud. The stamp is fake!

· Be suspicious if the price of a scroll is less than $20 as it takes 2-3 hours to write one mezuzah.

· The scroll was examined by a Sofer other than the one who wrote it and has been through a computer check to verify the accuracy of the script.

Examine the script carefully for:

1. The bottom of the letter Shin should always be pointed, not flat or round.

2. The letter Yud needs a single crown on the top left side and a point on the bottom left.

3. The letters must ALL have three crowns on them.

4. The letter Lamed has to have a ‘head’ like the letter

5. The letter should be all squared on all sides. If rounded, it is Pasul.

6. The letter is made up of a & attached on top. If the connection is at the bottom of the it is Pasul.

If these points are not found, there is a serious question as to the validity and Kashrut of the Mezuzah.

Universal Guidelines for purchasing a Sefer Torah

1. Prepare a well thought through legal contract for the Torah purchase.

2. Have your attorney review the contract before signing it and any money exchanges hands.

3. In this contract stipulate:

o The name, address & phone number of not only the dealer, but of the actual Sofer who is
writing your Sefer Torah.

o The exact height of the klaf you want used in your scroll.

o The Torah weight is important, i.e. the klaf (without poles) of 17 ¾” should weigh less than ten (10) pounds for the entire Sefer Torah!

o That the scroll be written from the beginning by one scribe only (and not by a collections of writers!)

o That a computer check of the whole scroll (book by book) be completed and you receive a copy of this examination before payments are made.

o The payment arrangments: only pay one sixth up front and the rest over five payments after you recieve and examine each of the five books, with their computer check report, and you are satisfied with the script.

o The exact amount of ‘open letters’ for filling in by the community.

o The dates when each of the five books are estimated to arrive.

o A penalty for every day the scrolls are not deliverd on time.

o A mutually agreed course for resolving desputes civilly and halachicly .

4. You should then be given a sample of the actual kind, quality and height of klaf which will be used for your Sefer Torah. An example of the Sofer’s script he will use on your scroll should be on that piece of klaf. This enables you to guarantee:

o That the entire scroll was really written by your chosen Sofer.

o The weight of the scroll at the end will be as you stipulated (simply weigh your sample klaf and multiply by 62 Yeriot (sheets) to obtain the weight of your whole Sefer Toarh. Along the way, weigh each whole book and divide by the number of sheets.

5. The Sefer Torah should be sent to you one book at a time, as each of the five books are completed. This will insure you are receiving what your contract stipulates.

6. When each book is received, it should come with the computer “read-out” for that book. This means each book has been computer checked and based on that report, the required corrections were done properly by your Sofer before you received that book!

7. You are now in a position to monitor your new Torah scroll and if anything along the way, i.e. the weight, quality of the Sofer’s writing or his corrections etc. do not satisfy you, then payment should not be made for that book untill the issue is rectified.

8. Payments for a Torah scroll should be approximately one-sixth up front and one-sixth after receiving and evaluating each of the five books - or some variation of this schedule.

9. Stipulate the number of “fill-in letters” for Hatchalat and Siyum HaTorah, etc.

10. Stipulate the aproximate dates by which each of the first four books should be received. Confirm the date the Torah will be completed, which should be approximately one month before the siyum Sefer Torah ceremony.

Other Suggestions…

Ø When selecting a Sofer to write your scroll, be sure he is qualified and not simply a Judaic artist, i.e. he has been ordained as a Sofer, he is a G-d fearing Jew and is observent of the comandments himself. Check references.

Ø It is advisible to get at least two quotes to purchase a Torah.

Ø involve the Cantor as well as anyone else who will be using the Sefer Torah in the initial choice of writing style, weight, and height of the Sefer Torah.

Ø Never buy a Torah off the internet.

Ø Network with other congregations as to their experiences.

Ø VERY IMPORTANT: The current price for a new Torah scroll is in the range of $30,000 to $40,000. If the price quoted to you is outside of this range, be sure to investigate the reason why. Be very suspicious of anything much higher or lower.

Ø At all times, payment should be made only after all elements of the contract have been fulfilled.

Ø Be sure to receive a written warranty from the Sofer which is good for at least ten years on your Torah scroll.

Ø When unsure, it is always helpful to ask for a second opinion.