I received this question via email. I am not really a klaf expert, I was wondering if anyone could answer this question: Dear Rabbi Gutnick, I am writing to you because a good friend of mine has put the idea into my head that the klaf in my tefillin were not really tanned and therefore are not kosher. He referred me to Megilla 19a re diftera. From the research that I have done so far, it seems that the klaf that is used today is tanned only with a lime wash. On all of the tanning websites I’ve seen so far, they say that the lime doesn’t accomplish tanning but only the removal of the hair and some other pre-tanning effects. Would you be able to explain to me or refer me to a website that explains how the tanning process that is used today takes the hide out of the category of diftera? Thank you very much.
It is patur, clearly written in SA YD 286.
ReplyDeleteBut if they want to put it up without a bracha, for safety reasons (as known that the mezuza brings protection) they may.
BTW, I recall a minority opinion in acharonim that modern ships that people may dwell in them extended time, may be chayov. Although this is not the hallacha, still one may be machmir [without a bracha].
DeleteIt is the Kiyum HaMitsva that provides protection
DeleteR' Moshe - If you can cite any sources it would be great. I once spoke to R' Shammai about this who said agav that now a days a boat might be different since they are made into homes sometimes that a person could really live in.
DeleteI think this is mentioned in Aruch Hashulchan YD 286.
Deleteso, it seems that affixing the mezuzzah on the boat is acceptable, but I'm still not clear from the different opinions stated here whether to say a bracha or not. Any further thoughts?
DeleteThank you, Rav Moshe. Very helpful.
ReplyDeleteI have heard from Rav Shusterman in California as follows, If they own it and has required shiurim for room and door and they sleep and eat there. It would need a bracha
ReplyDelete