Torah Scrolls Damaged by Hurricane Sandy
Much human suffering and devastation in the aftermath of Sandy. Another victim was a shul in New York as their Sifrei Torah were water-damaged. Click here for article and picture.
The OK's Hechsher on STa"M....Will it work?
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...
sad
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to them and all other families that have sustained losses due to the storm. It is a hard and trying time. Yet above all, we must remain grateful for the blessing of life, even with all the travails that it brings.
ReplyDeleteFrom the pictures on the news article, it is apparent that water damage to the scrolls is pervasive. Attempting to repair them, appears as a misuse of hard earned community resources. Likewise, it places and extra and unnecessary burden on these already hurting communities. It is my opinion, that their rebuilding efforts would better directed by purchasing new scrolls.
Lets hope they were insured
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteIf they were written with דיו לנצח nothing would have happened to them. They would remain kosher. Here is a picture of water flowing over a klaf written with דיו לנצח :
ReplyDeletehttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pwSDH6rpzyM/Tu5AAih5G2I/AAAAAAAAAIs/kB-JvduNAMc/s1600/wet3a.jpg
Dear Zvi, as far as one can see in the photos, situation of the ink in these seforim is not so bad. Maybe they also remained kosher. Maybe good old ink makers knew something as well?:-)
ReplyDeleteSix Sifrei Torah were damaged. Here, on the left, is a closer look at one of them.
Deletehttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e0A75JxyVN8/UJXdk-hGajI/AAAAAAAAATc/mHw8jiWNPGk/s640/flooded-torah.jpg
The sefer on the picture on the left is damaged indeed. HaMakom yemale chesronam.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDyoy lonetzach is great if a drop of water sprays on it, but in such a situation you need klaf lonetzach as well.... I got a pair that went through the flooding, the letters were fine but the klaf was ruined beyond repair it became stiff and black... as well some acid somehow got in, maybe sea salt? and ate through the klaf in a few spots it was interesting because the letters were complete but parts of the letters were hanging over the holes... I showed it to HaRav Vosner and said its possul regardless because even though it doesnt need to be mukaf gvil leachar hakesivah the letters need to be written on klaf.
ReplyDelete