A place for English speaking sofrim (scribes), magihim (examiners), rabbis and vendors of Stam (Torah, Tefillin and Mezuzah scrolls) from around the world to communicate, share ideas, ask questions and offer support and advice.
I once spoke to R' Shammai Gross about this...He said the following (more or less) -
If the tefillin was not yet worn l'shem the mitzvah then they may be cut down. If it's the first time then possible to say like by cutting down the klaf of tefillin parshiyos or mezuzos that we are matir because we say the klaf was made with this tanai, then so to by tefillin possible after wearing it only once and realizing it needs adjustment that one could say it was made on this tanei and therefore may be cut to be made smaller. If this was only realized a month afterwards lets say then it is a bit harder to say then it was made on this tanai. However for those that are matir even in this case could be because the ratzuos are only tashmishe kedusha along with the fact that a tanai maybe was made and could even help in this case.
There is a Teshuva from R' Yochanan Segel Wosner in "Chaiyah Levi" I don't remember where it is. When/If I find it I'll post it...
The psak I have is that once worn they may not be cut. You have the chance to try them on before wearing for the mitzvah to see if adjustment is desired. Shortening in not necessary (it's a matter of comfort or a preference. However, if you'll trip over it or are tripping over it then they may be trimmed anytime. Similarly, if the end of the retzua shel yad is very worn and needs regular touching up then it may be trimmed off, assuming of course there is sufficient length remaining.
I recently tried this kosher ink for my rapidograph and I am extremely pleased with it. It does not clog the nib like other kosher rapidograph inks, and it's very dark and strong. It's at least as good as the Rotring commercial grade rapidograph inks (of course these can only be used with batch numbers that have been lab tested and approved kosher), and in addition you do not need to add a drop of regular Sta"m ink (as per the instruction of the Shevet Halevi, which is messy and time consuming). I was wondering if anyone else had an opinion or comments with regards to their experience with this ink...
We all know that there is no ancient source that requires ink to be מן המותר בפיך . Possibly, as said here before, because in the olden days ink was always מן המותר בפיך and the question was never raised. It was probably self-evident. Nowadays, no decent Rav will approve an ink which is not מן המותר בפיך . Who was the first one to raise this question? Was it raised because of animal ingredients or because of non-kosher wine?
In today’s day and age, virtually every kosher product available to the consumer comes with a hechsher. By hechsher, I mean an official and recognised rabbinical body or agency that certifies the kashrus of a product, be it a food item or a religious article. Hechsherim play a vital role in providing consumer confidence, and something branded by a reputable kashrus agency will be considered more legitimate than a similar product that does not. The agency has rigid policies and protocols in place to ensure correct standards are met, and they are independent of the manufacturer so that there is no conflict of interest. As we have discussed on this forum previously, there is a distinct lack of official hechsherim on Sta”m products - Tefillin, Mezuzos and Sifrei Torah. Even the Vaad Mishmeres Sta”m, the oldest and most well- known rabbinic agency in the Sta”m world does not certify products. They test and ordain sofrim and magihim (examiners), offer a computer checking service (sp...
I once spoke to R' Shammai Gross about this...He said the following (more or less) -
ReplyDeleteIf the tefillin was not yet worn l'shem the mitzvah then they may be cut down. If it's the first time then possible to say like by cutting down the klaf of tefillin parshiyos or mezuzos that we are matir because we say the klaf was made with this tanai, then so to by tefillin possible after wearing it only once and realizing it needs adjustment that one could say it was made on this tanei and therefore may be cut to be made smaller. If this was only realized a month afterwards lets say then it is a bit harder to say then it was made on this tanai. However for those that are matir even in this case could be because the ratzuos are only tashmishe kedusha along with the fact that a tanai maybe was made and could even help in this case.
There is a Teshuva from R' Yochanan Segel Wosner in "Chaiyah Levi" I don't remember where it is. When/If I find it I'll post it...
The psak I have is that once worn they may not be cut. You have the chance to try them on before wearing for the mitzvah to see if adjustment is desired. Shortening in not necessary (it's a matter of comfort or a preference. However, if you'll trip over it or are tripping over it then they may be trimmed anytime. Similarly, if the end of the retzua shel yad is very worn and needs regular touching up then it may be trimmed off, assuming of course there is sufficient length remaining.
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