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Tefillin Corner Repair

2/21/2018

4 Comments

 
Tefillin need to be square, a dent in one of the corners can make them no longer Kosher. They do not have to be pointy on the corners, however if you, your son or husband have a serious dent like in the picture below, or if you are not sure how severe it is, bring them in right away to be inspected and if necessary fixed.

Sometimes nicks and dents can go undetected, which is one of the reasons why it is important to have Tefillin checked on a yearly basis. If that is not feasible then at least once every 5-7 years.

Remember; always handle Tefilin over a table or surface to prevent them from falling to the ground. It is also important to stay away from walls or low ceilings while wearing them.
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Damaged
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After the repairs were made
4 Comments

Mezuzah Fire Damage

1/28/2018

0 Comments

 
These Mezuzahs were in a house that had a fire, as you can see these Mezuzahs were all damaged. Unfortunately the Mezuzahs on the doors closest to the area where the fire broke out were consumed in the flames. The one on the right was the first Mezuzah I found within close proximity to the area where the fire broke out, As you can see it has begun to melt and had extensive damage and had to be put in Sheimos, The one in the middle which was a bit further away the case has begun to warp slightly and the Mezuzah only had minor damage. The one on the left was even further and was only covered in soot. and aside from smelling like smoke there was little to no damage discovered due to the smoke. Unfortunately fire proof Mezuzah cases don't exist yet, who knows maybe one day in our future...
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Mezuzah that was recovered with the most extensive damage
0 Comments

Damaged Mezuzah -Faded and Cracked lettering

11/7/2017

1 Comment

 
Before Repairs
After repairs
1 Comment

Weather Damaged Mezuzah

12/13/2016

1 Comment

 
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1 Comment

Batim need to be refurbished?

6/9/2016

0 Comments

 
​Do your Tefillin need to be refurbished? Our Tefillin expert will make them look as good as new!
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0 Comments

Mezuzah with bugs?

5/10/2016

0 Comments

 
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So at first I thought it was dirt. But with a closer look I realized it was light and hollow. I turned one over and found a little hole on one side.

Apparently an insect has made this Mezuzah his home. I understand some insects grow in a sort of cocoon and when fully grown make their way out... unfortunately the Mezuzah is no longer kosher whatever was in there has ruined the letters... need I say more?

If you don't have or are not sure if you have a properly sealed weather (bug) proof Mezuzah case for all your outdoor Mezuzahs. Call our office today at 845-262-0246! we ship nation wide.
​
Protect your Mezuzahs so they can protect you!

0 Comments

Great Grandfathers Tefillin

3/14/2016

2 Comments

 
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​Great Grandfather Tefillin. Someone wanted to gift this to his grandson to use for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah.

It is a great family heirloom, but not kosher to wear. The Parchment, straps and boxes are all worn out, faded and cracked and no longer Kosher.
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You wouldn't give him Great Grandpa's worn out overalls to wear... same applies here.

2 Comments

Sewing Retzuos?

1/27/2016

0 Comments

 
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0 Comments

Worn and Stretched out Retzuos / Tefillin Straps

1/27/2016

0 Comments

 
Retzuos start out at 15mm in order that if they begin to tear you will still have some time to get them replaced before they become Possul.
The preferable (Kosher Lechatchilah) width is 11mm according to the Chazon Ish and 10mm according to Rav Chaim Naeh. 
The minimal (Bedieved) width for making a Brachah is 9mm. If a Retzuah started tearing or if it is missing paint at one spot making the connected or painted Retzuah less than the minimal width it is Possul and must be replaced. 

From time to time it is important to look over your Retzuos to ensure they are Kosher if you have any doubts be sure to bring them in right away.
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Ripped and worn out Retzuah
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Ripped Retzuah is less then 8mm
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Part of Retzuah that is painted is less then 6mm
0 Comments

Aged Sefer Torah

6/28/2015

0 Comments

 
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This Sefer Torah was brought to me by one of the local Shuls in Monsey. They discovered this problem when they were reading it on Shabbos. What you see here is corrosion of the ink, this is common with older Sifrei Torah due to the oxidation of the ink . Traditional ink has Kankantom in it, Kankantom is an ingredient that causes corrosion, the Shulchan Arucha actually says that it is an ingredient that should preferably not be used in the making of the ink for Tefillin, Mezuzah and Sefer Torah. and indeed in the times of the Gemorah they did not use Kankantom in the ink. However through Galus the secret to making the ink was lost and today all traditional inks included Kankantom. 


Lesson: If your Shul has an older Sefer Torah it is advisable to have a Sofer look it over the parshah before every Shabbos to assure all the letters and words are black.

0 Comments
    CASE STUDIES

    Check out my YouTube channel for the latest updates

    https://youtube.com/c/TheSoferCenter​
    ​

    There are Many things that can render Tefillin or Mezuzah not Kosher or at best minimally Kosher.
    Some of which happen over time with aging and some unfortunately are Posul from the get go.

    Such as,
    Letters, words  and or Tagim that are missing, extra substituted, touching, Broken, Improperly Spaced, misshapen faded, cracked and weather damaged.

    We document the problems we find and periodically upload them to the website. 

    We hope that this will educate and encourage the public to purchase only Tefillin and Mezuzas that are high quality from a reputable source, to take care of them properly and have them checked regularly.

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    Author

    Rabbi Kass was ordained by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, former Ashkenazik Chief Rabbi of Israel. He is certified as a Sofer for both Kesivah and Hagoah by one of the leading experts in Safrus, Rabbi Avrohom Tzvi Vosner, Rav of the Vad Mishmeres Sta”m.

    View my profile on LinkedIn

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$12.99 Flat rate shipping!  Mezuzahs, Tefillin, Megillah & Accessories!

  • Store
    • Mezuzah >
      • Mezuzah Cover / Case and Accessories
    • Tefillin >
      • Tefillin Sets
      • Custom Tefillin Set
      • Tefillin Parshios / Parshiot
      • Tefillin Batim / Boxes
      • Tefillin Straps / Tefillin Retzuos
      • Talis and Tefillin Accessories
      • Talis and Tefillin Bags
    • Sefer Torah >
      • Atzei Chayim / Eitz Chaim
      • Sefer Torah Cover / Mantle
      • Sefer Torah Belt
      • Paroches
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      • Torah Yad / Pointer
      • Sefer Torah Crowns
      • Torah Breastplate
      • Rimonim
    • Megillah >
      • Megillah Case / Cover / Holder
    • Tzitzis and Talis
    • Yarmulkes and Gartels
    • Judaica
    • Sofer Stam / Safrus Supplies
  • Services
    • General Service Information
    • Mezuzah Services >
      • Mezuzah House Call
      • Mezuzah Checking
      • Loaner / Mezuzah Gemach / Rent Mezuzos Monsey
    • Tefillin Services >
      • Tefillin Checking / Repairs
      • Loaner Tefillin / Tefillin Gemach / Rental
    • Megillah Services
    • Sefer Torah Services >
      • Sefer Torah Checking / Reparis
      • Siyum Sefer Torah
    • Sofer Workshops / Presentations
  • About
    • Testimonials
    • In the News
  • Contact
  • Case Studies
    • FAQ
  • Guides
    • Guide Index
    • What you Should Know
    • Buying Tefillin & Mezuzos
    • Are my Tefillin & Mezuzos Mehudar?
    • Checking / Computer Checking
    • Mezuzah >
      • What is a Mezuzah?
      • Caring for and Protecting your Mezuzah
      • Who needs a Mezuzah?
      • When are Mezuzos required?
      • Where are Mezuzos required?
      • How do I put up / hang a Mezuzah?
      • Taking down Mezuzos for checking
    • Tefillin >
      • What is Tefillin?
      • Protecting your Tefillin
      • Who? When? Where?
      • How do I put on Tefillin
      • Types of Tefillin Batim / Boxes
      • Detailed laws on Tefillin Batim / Tefillin Boxes
      • Types of Tefillin Straps / Tefillin Retzuos
      • Detailed laws on Tefillin Retzuos Tefililn Straps
    • Sefer Torah >
      • What is a Sefer Torah?
      • How To Maintain A Sefer Torah
    • Megillah >
      • What is a Megillah
  • YouTube Channel