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...
A Rapidograph (with dyo lonetzach ink). Alternatively, as a cheaper option there is a Japanese felt pen called Micron that has been lab tested, the ink is kosher, it is available worldwide in art shops and it's what I recommend rabbis etc in cities I cannot get to use for minor repairs.
ReplyDeleteAn important test for such a pen: Make a few marks on paper. Leave it out in the sun for a few days or weeks. See if the ink fades or not. If it fades, it is probably not kosher for STAM.
ReplyDeleteMy rebbi mentioned he once saw Rav Soloveichik get an aliya and make a repair with his fountain pen when the baal kria found a psul.
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