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.
I agree with rule 1
ReplyDeletehere is rule 2: never store your megila in your silver case your wife or cleaning lady will polish it and damage the megila.I am forever fixing water damaged megilos
Rule 3: You wouldn't open the side panel of your computer anywhere near uncovered liquid. Don't weigh your megilla down with full water glasses. Worse, don't weigh my megillah down with full water glasses.
DeleteSimilar Azharos for covering Sifrei Torah with plastic bags under the Mantell before dancing on Simchas Torah. I've had to do extensive fixing for sweat-damaged otherwise-beautiful Sifrei Torah.
ReplyDeleteIn many Sephardic communities, the Reader for the Congregation does not unroll the entire Megilah prior to reading. Rather, he unrolls the Megillah as he is reading it and leaves it unrolled. Once he is done with the reading, he then rolls-up the Megillah and recites the Berakhah.
ReplyDeleteUnlike the reader, the congregants do not leave their Megillot open as they read. Rather, they roll it as they go, just like a Sefer Torah so that it won’t fall on the floor or be subject to damage by folding.
More so, unrolling the entire Megillah prior to reading is seen as improper. According to their sources, one should only leave what was already read unrolled, like a letter; but what was not yet read, is supposed to remain rolled like a Sefer Torah.
Another reason to use Dio Lanetzach.
ReplyDelete