Sofrim: Chutz L'Aretz and Eretz Yisrael
Perhaps someone can help with this question. I live in Eretz Yisrael and I know here there are many many many sofrim throughout the country (more than needed maybe.) Does anyone know what percentage breakdown is of sofrim in regards to Eretz Yisrael and Chutz L'Aretz. I know one sofer for example who after getting married here and spending a few years in EY thought about moving back to Chutz L'Aretz. However his parnasah is from sofrus and didn't think he would make any money as a sofer in Chutz L'Aretz since there is a high demand for STaM coming from EY (perhaps someone can clarify this as well.) In the end he decided to stay here Baruch HaShem. He ended up getting a job writing a Sefer Torah for a Chabad shul in Canadan (if I'm not mistaken.) It come through someone here in Eretz Yisrael who had a connection to the shul or the community at large there. His chances of getting such a job like that in Chutz L'Aretz would have probably been less.
Maybe can someone spread some light on this issue and what the matzav is exactly with sofrim in Chutz L'Aretz.
Maybe can someone spread some light on this issue and what the matzav is exactly with sofrim in Chutz L'Aretz.
Due to high cost of living in western countries it is not commercially viable to write outside Eretz yisroel unless you have a substantial customer base whe are willing to pay extra and buy from you because they know you. It is for this reason that 90% of stam is written in Eretz Yisrael. Most sofrim in chutz laaretz do hagaha, tukunim and sales (of imported stam)
ReplyDeleteWhat is the difference really in prices? (mezuzas and tefillin) on average (for a 'good' csav)
ReplyDeleteOK A sofer in Israel can live on at least half the wage of a sofer in Chul, in western countries school fees and insurance are exorbitant I would say on average I can get the same quality schorah for half the price in Israel.
ReplyDeleteIf you live in a community and build yourself a good name you will not have a problem.If you act like an Eretz Yisroel Sofer while living in chu"l you will not have any customers.
ReplyDeleteMost of the site readers know the difference,the eretz yisroel sofer writes: he does not scratch negios and doesn"t even make tagim<in one word he is eino motzie mitachas yado davar mesukan,he knows to blame the -klaf, mesartet, metayeg, mochek, magia, computer etc.
IT HURTS BUT IT`S TRUE
Bais Hastam says it how it is!
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