Chloe Zhang
A kosher scroll, also known as a klaf, is a handwritten scroll by a sofer, a professionally trained Jewish scribe, on traditional parchment. A mezuzah scroll is a type of kosher scroll that is placed inside a protective case and affixed to the right doorpost of the entrance of a room. The topic of whether a kosher scroll should remain in plastic is an important one, as the plastic wrap may allow moisture to condense inside, damaging the scroll. However, a protective plastic wrap covering can also create a moisture barrier, and plastic or metal cases are commonly used to protect the scroll.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic or metal case |
| Wrapping | Waxed or greaseproof paper, plain plastic bags, or paper |
| Writing | Handwritten by a scribe, in black ink, with a quill pen |
| Letters | 713, with no touching, and with adequate spacing |
| Text | Identical to the Torah, written in order, with white space surrounding each letter |
| Parchment | Made from a kosher animal |
| Checking | Should be checked periodically, ideally by a qualified Sofer |
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What You'll Learn
- A plastic case is recommended to protect the scroll from moisture
- The scroll should be wrapped in waxed or greaseproof paper first
- The scroll must be handwritten by a trained scribe
- A mezuzah must be checked by a qualified sofer before being sold
- A mezuzah must be affixed to the right doorpost of the entrance of the room
A plastic case is recommended to protect the scroll from moisture
A kosher mezuzah scroll is a sacred object in Judaism. It is a parchment scroll inscribed with a passage from the Torah, and it is affixed to the doorposts of Jewish homes. The scroll is typically written by a trained scribe, known as a sofer, who uses special black ink and a quill pen to carefully shape each of the 713 letters according to specific rules. The mezuzah scroll is then rolled from left to right and placed inside a protective case, which is typically affixed to the right doorpost of the entrance of a room.
The protective case for a mezuzah scroll can be made of various materials, including plastic or metal. While there are no specific requirements regarding the material of the case, it is important to ensure that the case provides adequate protection for the scroll. One important factor to consider is the protection of the scroll from moisture, as condensation can damage the scroll and the ink inscription.
A plastic case is recommended to protect the mezuzah scroll from moisture. Plastic is a durable and water-resistant material that can create an effective barrier against moisture. By enclosing the scroll in a plastic case, condensation and moisture from the environment are prevented from coming into direct contact with the scroll. This helps to maintain the integrity of the scroll and preserve the ink inscription.
It is worth noting that while plastic is a suitable material for the outer case, it is not recommended to wrap the mezuzah scroll directly in plastic film, cling film, or plastic wrap. This is because these materials can trap moisture and cause condensation to form inside the wrapping, potentially damaging the scroll. Instead, it is advised to use a plain plastic bag or waxed paper as an inner protective covering for the scroll before placing it inside the outer plastic case.
Additionally, when choosing a plastic case for the mezuzah scroll, it is important to select one that is not too tight-fitting. A mezuzah case should provide sufficient space for the scroll to fit comfortably without being crushed, creased, or rolled too tightly. This ensures that the scroll is protected while also allowing for easy removal and inspection of the scroll when necessary.
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The scroll should be wrapped in waxed or greaseproof paper first
When preparing to put up a mezuzah, it is important to first wrap the klaf, or scroll, in waxed or greaseproof paper to provide an inner protective covering. This is because the scroll is extremely delicate, and any damage to it will render it non-kosher. The wax or greaseproof paper will provide a barrier between the scroll and its outer protective case, which is typically made of plastic or metal.
To wrap the scroll, cut a piece of wax paper about one-half the width of the klaf and two to three centimetres (or one inch) taller than the klaf. The scroll should then be rolled from left to right, ensuring that the parchment is rolled and not folded to avoid cracking letters, which would make the mezuzah invalid. This will also ensure that G-d's name, "Sha-dai", is facing the front.
Once the scroll is wrapped in waxed or greaseproof paper, it can be placed inside its protective case. The case should be long and deep enough for the scroll to fit without being crushed, creased, or rolled too tightly. It is important to note that tape or glue should never be placed directly on the klaf, as this may damage it. Additionally, the scroll should not be wrapped in plastic film, cling film, or plastic wrap as these materials may allow moisture to condense inside.
After the scroll is placed inside its protective case, the mezuzah can be affixed to the right doorpost of the entrance of the room, typically in the middle of the door's width. It should be placed at shoulder height if the doorpost is wide and slanted towards the room one is entering.
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The scroll must be handwritten by a trained scribe
A kosher mezuzah is handwritten on parchment by a scribe who is trained in the laws of writing a mezuzah. A scroll that is reproduced by a machine or not written according to the laws of the Torah is not kosher. The scribe, or sofer, must be careful to shape every letter in a specific manner with adequate spacing between the words. One letter may not touch another, even slightly. If there is a deviation from the above specifications, the mezuzah is not kosher.
The mezuzah is inscribed by hand, as it is written, “You shall write them…” on a parchment made especially for this purpose. A printed mezuzah or one written on paper is not kosher. There are a number of purely legal objections to printing as well as mystical ones. Jewish law considers the printing process a form of engraving rather than writing, and Talmudic law invalidates the scrolls of Torah, tefillin, and mezuzoth that are engraved. Furthermore, tefillin and mezuzoth must be written in the exact order in which the respective texts and each letter thereof appear in the Torah. It is impossible to ensure this in the printing process.
On the mystical side, it is intuitively obvious that a printed mezuzah is devoid of the holiness and spiritual power imbued in it by the human hand. R. Bacharach thus writes: “…The sanctity of a Sefer Torah (scroll of Torah) derives from its having been written by a human being in whom there is the spirit of G‑d and a portion of the Divine from on high. The sofer concentrates intensely and writes with special Hebrew characters in a beautiful calligraphic hand. A Mezuzah has 713 letters. Every letter has numerous laws pertaining to its form. In order for a Mezuzah to be written in accordance with all of the laws, it must meet thousands of requirements. If even one of the Mezuzah’s 713 letters is missing or shaped incorrectly, the Mezuzah is rendered invalid and the commandment is unfulfilled.
The text of a mezuzah must be absolutely identical to the one in the Torah. One word or even one letter missing, misspelled, or written incorrectly renders a mezuzah non-kosher. Mass inspections of mezuzoth in the United States and Canada according to Vaad Mishmeres StaM (a highly respected licensing and regulatory agency for sofrim) revealed that 90% of mezuzoth are not kosher. After purchasing a mezuzah, it is highly advisable to have it checked by a qualified sofer.
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A mezuzah must be checked by a qualified sofer before being sold
A mezuzah is a sacred object in Judaism. It contains the first two portions of the Shema, beginning with the verse, "Hear O Israel, the L-rd is our G‑d, the L-rd is One". The text of a mezuzah must be absolutely identical to the one in the Torah. If even one letter is missing or incorrect, the mezuzah is rendered non-kosher. This means that the mezuzah must be written by a qualified scribe, or sofer, with special black ink and in quadrilateral (Ashuri) script. The sofer must be a specially trained, religious scribe, and the mezuzah must be written lishmah, or for its own sake. The sofer makes a declaration before writing that they are doing it for the holiness of the mezuzah.
Given the stringent requirements for a kosher mezuzah, it is highly advisable to have a mezuzah checked by a qualified sofer before being sold. The sofer will check that the mezuzah has been written in the correct order, with the requisite 713 letters, and with white space surrounding each letter on all four sides. The sofer will also check that the mezuzah has not been affected by adverse weather conditions or folding, which can cause cracks in the letters.
In addition to checking the mezuzah for errors, the sofer will also inspect the mezuzah case. The case must be long and deep enough for the mezuzah scroll to fit without being crushed, creased, or rolled too tightly. The case should also be made from a suitable material, such as waxed or greaseproof paper, or plain plastic bags or paper. It is important to avoid using materials that may allow moisture to condense inside, such as plastic film or cling film.
While it is possible for individuals to check their mezuzahs, it is often very difficult for the human eye to notice a missed word or letter in a familiar text. Therefore, it is highly advisable to have a mezuzah checked by a qualified sofer using optical character recognition (OCR) software, which can recognize handwritten text and check it by computer. This method has the advantage that no word or letter will be overlooked, and it has brought serious instances of fraud to light.
In summary, a mezuzah must be checked by a qualified sofer before being sold to ensure that it meets the stringent requirements for a kosher mezuzah. This includes checking the text, case, and overall condition of the mezuzah. By having a mezuzah checked by a qualified sofer, individuals can be confident that their mezuzah is accurate and sacred.
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A mezuzah must be affixed to the right doorpost of the entrance of the room
A mezuzah is a piece of parchment, or klaf, inscribed with Hebrew verses from the Torah. The mezuzah is inserted into a protective case, usually made of wood, plastic, or metal. The scroll should be rolled from left to right, so that God's name, "Sha-dai," is facing the front. The case is then affixed to the right doorpost of the entrance of the room.
The placement of the mezuzah is important. It should be placed at almost all doors and entrances in Jewish homes, with a few exceptions, including bathrooms. The mezuzah is affixed on the right-hand side of the door as you enter the room, at a slight angle, with the top of the mezuzah pointing towards the inside of the room and the bottom pointing towards the outside. The proper place for the mezuzah is at the bottom of the top third of the doorway, or at shoulder height. If the doorpost is wider than a handbreadth (approximately 3.25 inches), the mezuzah should be mounted within the outermost handbreadth of the doorpost.
The mezuzah should be affixed with nails, glue, or screws. It is important to note that tape or glue should not be placed directly on the klaf, as this may damage it. The klaf can be wrapped in waxed or greaseproof paper to provide an inner protective covering before being placed inside the mezuzah case. The case should be long and deep enough for the mezuzah scroll to fit without being crushed, creased, or rolled too tightly.
The text of the mezuzah is also significant. It must be absolutely identical to the text in the Torah. If even one letter is missing or misspelled, the mezuzah is considered non-kosher. The mezuzah must be written by hand, by a qualified scribe, in black ink, and in quadrilateral (Ashuri) script. The parchment must be scored with 22 lines before being written upon, and each letter must be surrounded by white space.
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Frequently asked questions
A Kosher Scroll, also known as a Mezuzah, is a handwritten parchment inscribed with 713 letters in black ink using a special quill pen by a trained scribe.
The plastic wrap acts as a protective covering to create a moisture barrier, ensuring the scroll does not get damaged.
Each of the 713 letters must be written correctly, with white space surrounding it, and no letters touching. The text must be identical to that in the Torah, and it must be written in the correct order.
It is recommended that Kosher Scrolls be checked every three to four years (twice in seven years) to ensure they remain kosher.
Kosher Scrolls can be purchased from reputable sellers, such as STAR-K-certified Soferim, or directly from a reliable Yorei Shomayim Sofer, who has endorsed the scrolls as Kosher.
