STaM Buyer Guide

Kashrut levels: kosher, mehudar, mehudar min hamehudar

Every kosher STaM item meets the requirements of halacha. Beyond that, there are levels of hiddur (embellishment):

• Kosher lechatchila: the writing meets every requirement; the letters are whole and the words exact.
• Mehudar: beyond kashrut, a fine and even hand, care for the letter forms as handed down, precise tagin and an experienced scribe.
• Mehudar min hamehudar: the highest level. Especially careful writing, attention to every detail, quality parchment, and sometimes finer parts such as batim or atzei chaim.

Choosing a level is a matter of budget and of how far you want to beautify the mitzvah. Every item on the site lists its script, size, kashrut level and certificates.

Gevil and klaf

All STaM is written on the processed hide of a kosher animal. Gevil and klaf differ in how the hide is processed:

• Gevil: the whole hide, not split, processed the traditional way. Gevil is used mainly for Torah scrolls, and some megillot are written on gevil.
• Klaf: hide that was split into layers and processed. Klaf is used for tefillin, mezuzot and most megillot.

In halacha the layer of the hide and the side that is written on also matter. The kind of hide affects the look, the durability and the price, so ask about the hide and how it was processed.

Scripts

There are several main traditions of letter forms. All are kosher, and the choice is first of all a matter of family and community custom:

• Beit Yosef: the script used in most Ashkenazi communities, named after the Beit Yosef, where the letter forms are set out.
• Ari: close to Beit Yosef, with differences in the form of some letters. Used in most Chassidic communities.
• Sefaradi (Vellish): the script used by Sephardi and Mizrahi communities. Rounder than Beit Yosef.
• Chabad (Alter Rebbe): the script tradition of Chabad.

The custom is to continue the family tradition. A Torah scroll written for an existing synagogue usually matches the community’s other scrolls. If you do not know your custom, ask a rabbi.

Note: some sellers use different names for the same tradition, for example calling the Sephardi script “Beit Yosef”. Before you order, confirm which tradition is meant.

Torah scroll

A Torah scroll is written by hand, more than 300,000 letters, and writing it usually takes about a year. A scroll that is already written and available saves that time.

The size is the height of the parchment. Common sizes are 36, 42, 48 and 56 cm. A smaller scroll is easier to lift and carry; a larger one is more impressive but heavy. Match the size to the ark and to whoever will lift the scroll.

What to check before you buy:

• Checking and certificate: a Torah scroll is proofread by a qualified magiah and checked by computer. Ask to see the details of the check and the scroll’s certificate.
• Condition of the hide: in an existing scroll, check the quality of the hide, an even color, cracks and repairs.
• The writing: even, black and clear through the whole scroll, with no faded ink.
• Accessories: atzei chaim, a mantle and a binder complete the scroll and can be chosen to suit you.

Tefillin

Tefillin are worn every weekday, so their quality shows every day. They have three parts:

• Parshiyot: the four passages, written on klaf. Here too there are different scripts; match the script to your family custom.
• Batim: the boxes that hold the parshiyot, made of animal hide. Peshutim are made of joined pieces of hide. Peshutim mehudarim are made of one piece of hide, but the bayit and the titura (the base) are not from the same piece. Mehudarim dakot are made of the thin hide of a small animal, with the bayit and the titura from the same hide. Mehudarim gasot are made of one piece of the thick hide of a large animal and are the strongest.
• Retzuot: black leather straps, in different qualities.

What to check when buying tefillin:

• The details of how the parshiyot were checked, including a computer check.
• That the script matches your family custom.
• The quality of the batim and retzuot, the parts that wear with daily use.
• Regular checks: tefillin are usually checked every few years, and especially after they got wet or fell.

Mezuzah

A mezuzah is measured by the length of the parchment. Common sizes are 10, 12, 15 and 20 cm. A larger mezuzah allows larger, roomier writing; a smaller one suits a narrow doorway. Ask a rabbi which doorways need a mezuzah.

What to check when buying a mezuzah:

• Kashrut level: mezuzot too come as kosher, mehudar and mehudar min hamehudar.
• Script: by custom, Beit Yosef, Ari, Sefaradi (Vellish) or Chabad.
• Outside doorways: where the mezuzah is exposed to sun and damp, choose quality parchment and have it checked more often.
• Regular checks: a private home’s mezuzah is checked twice in seven years (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 291).

Megillat Esther

A megillah is written in ink on klaf or gevil, on ruled lines, like a Torah scroll. The number of lines per column varies, for example 11, 21 or 28, and some keep a particular number by custom. In a “Hamelech” megillah every column opens with the word “Hamelech”.

Some megillot are written in an especially fine hand, and some buyers add a megillah case or a designed cover.

How do you know an item is kosher?

The simple rule: do not buy STaM without a check by a qualified magiah. Before you buy, ask for the details of the check and the certificates the item has.

We also arrange checks of tefillin and mezuzot you already own, with a qualified magiah.

Common questions

• What is the difference between a kosher mezuzah and a mehudar one? Both fulfil the mitzvah. In a mehudar mezuzah the writing is finer and more precise, and the letter forms are kept with greater care.
• Which script should I choose for tefillin? Your family custom: most Ashkenazi families use Beit Yosef, many Chassidic families use Ari, Sephardi and Mizrahi families use Sefaradi, and Chabad Chassidim use Chabad. If you do not know your custom, ask a rabbi.
• Can I order a custom item? Yes. Through the site you send a request with the script, size, kashrut level and accessories, and we check with the scribes and suppliers and come back with an item and a price.

For any question, contact us on WhatsApp or by phone at +972-50-9933487.