Rabbi Reuvain Mendlowitz clarifies his position on Ksav Chabad (and my final thoughts)
Last week I posted some thoughts in response to a public lecture given by Rabbi Reuvain Mendlowitz regarding Ksav Chabad (the Alter Rebbe's ksav). I felt he did not represent the issue fairly, and since I had received questions about it from a number of people I felt it made sense to write a general response. After I posted my response on this forum, Rabbi Mendlowitz reached out to me by email and we ended up having a respectful and productive email exchange regarding the relevant issues surrounding Ksav Chabad. His position is a lot clearer to me now, and I think he also took certain things on board that I clarified with him. The purpose of the Stam Forum (at least back in it's heyday before all the whats app groups took over) was to connect sofrim from around the world, to promote achdus and build bridges, as well as to offer support and advice. In that spirit, I felt I should write a follow up post, to clarify some of the issues and misconception...
Hi Yitzhak,
ReplyDeleteThis Sefer is very likely from Chekoslovakia.
Thank you.
DeleteWould you be able to point at any unique features that tipped you off?
German style
ReplyDeleteSome key features are the rounded SHINS and the right curving feet of the KUFS, among others.
ReplyDeleteI restored a sefer with ksav and ink condition very, very similar to this one about three years ago. The shul that had it said that it came from Bohemia around 1850. So, based on the similarity I'd say this sefer probably came from SE Germany or the Czech Republic as well.
ReplyDeleteThe Zayins on the second line are a good example to what is mentioned here (in the last paragraph).
ReplyDeleteI 2nd Binyomin. Spot on.
ReplyDeleteThe Zayins, Shins, and legs of the lange nun are typical.