The International STa"M Forum

Someone asked me this question:  If someone wrote a Shem HaShem vertically, would it be mutar to erase the Shem Hashem?  Can anyone clarify, please? I am curious what the answer is!

I received this question and posting on his behalf: Are brushes considered an writing instrument? Could you technically write סת״ם with it? In a Sefer Torah that needs to be restored, like the one from the picture. If one would be allowed to use a rapidograph to restore it. Would a brush be also allowed? The premise of the questions is: In order to write סת״ם, you need something that’s considered an writing instrument. Many cultures do use brushes for writing. So in the more חמור side of the question, could you write with a brush? And on the more קל side, could you do תיקונים? I’d love to understand more about this topic, if anyone could refer me to somewhere where this is discussed, it would be much appreciated. Many thanks, Levi

Difference of vov and zayin is vov =regel goes out from right side where a zayin the rosh protrudes beyond the regel. Since the difference is so small the rishonim tell us to make a vov rounded. since a square can sometimes seem to a tinok like a zayin. Mikdash Me'at  (275:45)answers bnai yonas question how can osios lefufos be kosher , we know אין שיעור לעובי האותיות? Mikdash Me'at answers that if we can tell that its a tag not part of the letter it is kosher. My first impression was that the case here is a vov with a kotz, however since it is a question that is not clear cut and needs sofer or poseks discretion, I showed it to a colleague who disagreed and felt its posul, the fact that the tag is sitting on the protrusion makes it part of the rosh. We showed it to 2 rabbanim and we still have nobody that feels he can be machshir.

Is regel of daled in yadecha ok or too short?

Smudge in first to sheimos happened after Shas kesiva. How much can I erase/clean up without problem of being mochek a part of shem.

I Baruch Hashem am about to finish another Megillah Esther, and as I am writing I noticed a crease or fold in the middle of the amud I am writing on. How would you fix this crease? Use sandpaper and sand it down?  Or would you keep it there and write over it? (Although I'm more afraid of any letters cracking due to it)

Hi - I was asked to share this question: Hi, I wanted to inquire about the width between each sirtut on klaf that would go inside pitzponim Tefilin and the like. I want to teach myself to write that size. Also, if there is anything else I should know about that kind of task, or any tips please let me know.

I received the following question, posting on his behalf: Dear Forum Members,  I am an Orthodox Jew living in Sheffield, I have been doing some research on Safrus Ink and I had a few questions that I would like to ask the forum? 1. Does anyone have a resource whereby you have the script in which the Torah is written in that can be copied and pasted into a word document? I am aware there is more than one script (Ari, Sefrad etc) if anyone has access to the various types that would also be appreciated.  2. Whilst researching recipes to make your own ink I came across the below link.    (  http://www.stamforum.com/2012/03/dyo-making.html  ) is anyone aware of any other recipes, where the ingredients are more readily available! Also is the recipe used part of a mesorah or is there Halachic significance to this? I.e. I heard that one should avoid using copper in the recipe as it has become an Kli Milchama.  3. Is anyone aware of a re...

Looking for Marei Mekomos about the minhag of writing Pitum Haketores on Klaf for an article in my blog. So far I have the Kaf Hachaim, Kezahav Mipaz, Seder Hayom - but I'm having a hard time finding enough sources for this widespread minhag. Tizku Lemitzves YK

A couple of months ago we had a discussion how new techniques help sofrim write a Torah in 6-8 weeks. A very interesting discussion about a metayeg that was not mekadesh a shem took place. As we have many backyard minyanim, many people want the cheapest kosher lechatchila Torah. Guiding somebody to buy a Torah is very complex,  I will explain the pitfalls of the lesser expensive and often even the expensive Torahs. KSAV KABALA: If you are looking for a ready Torah or even half ready, you probably will be dealing with a socher. Many if not most sochrim even erliche, will deal with sofrim that:(worst first) Have no kabala, and are not planning to have kabala Are planing to "take out" kabala (the plan makes the socher feel good) Have a silly hamlatza that they are erlich Passed written test but not oral test Kabala was received many years ago and they never reviewed the halachos. If a metayeg was used 90 percent will be first category. I hope I do not need to explai...

Does anyone have it? I'd greatly appreciate if you could email to sofer@stam.net siman alef in os Zayin. The sefer Ksav Hasofer says he has a piece on the din of os Zayin in long ksav. (On the one hand it's 4 or more kulmusim but on the other hand it's the same length as all other regular letters.)

Bais or Chaf? Rav Friedlander would pasel such baises and I confirmed with his a talmid muvhak. However, if the mezuzah belong to a Chasid of Chabad he would direct them to Rav Moshe Viner. I sent the picture to Rav Viner and here's his reply: הב' הזאת מאוד בעייתית. אין לה זוית למטה, והעקב אינו ברור. בכל זאת איני מחליט על פי התמונה עד אשר אראה ממש במציאות, כי יתכן שאם נראה היטב כב' שמועיל קריאת תינוק ותיקון

Received the following sheila from a sofer: "I had a Sheila that I received from a customer. It is his 10 year wedding anniversary and he wants to get his Ketubah re-written by a sofer since the original is plain and printed. He asked whether the re-write that I would do has any halachic significance? Does it replace his original? or is it seen as simply considered artwork? Alternatively, I thought that maybe not having the Eidim re-sign or making an intentional mistake like leaving out a letter could be a solution to avoid it being mistaken as the original. I'm interested to hear your thoughts"

.Any mekoros from modern seforim/in the name of leading poskim would be welcome האם מותר לשלוח ס"ת בדואר או עם DHL וכדומה אם זה ארוז טוב וכלי בתוך כלי ? האם יש נ"מ אם זה לא תפור לעצי חיים? או אם האותיות בשורות האחרונות פסולות (יש נפסקים) במקום אותיות חלולות שכשרים (הגרי"ש אלישיב סבר שיוד חלול לא כשר) ? ואם מישהו לוקח ס"ת איתו במטוס ונוסע לבד ובשדה התעופה הוא צריך השרותים ואין עם מי להשאיר המזוודה עם הס"ת האם מותר להכניס אותו לשירותים אם זה כלי בתוך כלי ?

Very small negiah on the Lamed to the beis on the line above.  Mutar to scrap since it does not affect the tzurah? 

Without mamashus. sources for those who permit?

I was asked last week to check the correct placements for mezuzot at a newly-renovated home. The "walk-through" was conducted via WhatsApp video, and the home owner took me on a detailed tour of his newly-renovated house. I asked him to show me different viewing perspectives, as well as doorways opening from outside. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the "walk-through" went, and how technology helped us with this important mitzvah. I'm interested in hearing about technology-assisted solutions from my colleagues. Be well, Shmuel