WOW! SHOCKED BYMISHMERES STa"M

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As you all know I set up a MISHMERES STa"M Station on my computer.I did not dream of their capability to detect and warn of forged mezuzos. I had 2 separate packages scanned on 2 different dates to be checked by MISHMERES STa"M.(b"h none were sold by our office)
Below is the letter they sent me.


After Speaking to Rabbi Granetstien I learned that the program was developed to catch posul tefilin and mezuzos that were corrected and submitted again however it worked just fine on these forged Mezuzos .

Comments

  1. Alberto AttiaMarch 31, 2014 at 6:45 PM

    WOW! Very impressive!
    Question, did you have to wait for the letter to come in to find-out that they were counterfeit; or is the system able to let you know in real time? The difference being that they may check-out OK and then find themselves back in the hand of a customer before we are able to find out about their forged status. Please let us know.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rabbi Eli GutnickMarch 31, 2014 at 7:53 PM

      The bigger concern is, who is supplying these forgeries and can you please post some pictures of them so we can see what they look like

      Delete
    2. Rabbi Eli GutnickApril 1, 2014 at 2:52 PM

      I have now seen scans of these mezuzos and can verify that they are the same style and "sofer" as the picture I received and posted here exactly 2 weeks ago.

      This is the fifth confirmation of these mezuzos from a fifth dealer in the USA (the first image I posted 2 weeks ago was also from the US) - which means, unfortunately that the problem is worse and more widespread than it originally seemed.

      The good news is that it's all the same style mezuzah, making it easily recognisable, although it comes both in Arizal and B"Y.

      If anyone thinks they have stock of mezuzos that look like the picture I posted 2 weeks ago with the original warning, feel free to email me a picture, I can probably verify if it's the one in question.

      Delete
    3. Rabbi Eli GutnickApril 1, 2014 at 2:59 PM

      I'm thinking that if this mezuzah is rife in the American market, it must have spread amongst dealers in Israel and be even more rife in Israel. I just wonder how many Israeli dealers even know to look out for this???

      Delete
  2. Beis HastamApril 3, 2014 at 1:31 PM

    I just heard that "THE SOFER" of these mezuzos is close family with the supplier of "PEELING RETZUOS",They also have counterfeit tziztzis .(and have had "SHMURA" Matzot in the past) .According to another source they are opening up a giant judaica shop in Ashkelon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rabbi Eli GutnickApril 3, 2014 at 2:22 PM

      I think this matter needs to be dealt with by the proper authorities. As sofrim, it is our job to be careful and aware of this type of thing, and to possess the information needed to detect these issues. Please spread the word and the image of the counterfeit mezuzos so that as many people in the industry as possible know.

      Delete
  3. Beis HastamApril 4, 2014 at 12:58 PM

    who are the proper authorities?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rabbi Eli GutnickApril 5, 2014 at 6:57 AM

    Law enforcement. Don't they have a special branch in the israeli police for this?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Rabbi Eli GutnickApril 5, 2014 at 6:57 AM

    Law enforcement. Don't they have a special branch in the israeli police for this?

    ReplyDelete

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