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What is the cost for Mezuzah checking / examination?

3/16/2018

4 Comments

 
In short $12
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It may seem obvious to state, but not all Sofrim provide the same quality of work and give the Mezuzahs the same level of attentions. Some do a quicker job just the bare minimum. while others hold the Mezuzahs to a higher standard to ensure its Kosher status. 

For this reason alone it is important to realize that when looking for a Sofer to check your Mezuzahs you must shop for their reputation of quality work not their price.

Being that a Sofer is being paid for their time. The cheaper the checking is more often then not an indication of a lower level of inspection, as less time is spent on each Mezuzah or someone less qualified is doing the checking, hence less cost.

I have seen unfortunately in many a Sofer Stam employing young students who are only just beginning to learn Safrus to do the checking even before they have received their Kabolah. or just eyeballing the Mezuzahs in short minute or two. (a physical impossibility) to ensure its Kosher status.

At the Sofer Center we spend 12-15 minutes per Mezuzah when checking, (not including time for rolling and putting back in the case.) 

We are not ok with your Mezuzahs just barley "passing" examination and we are highly qualified and certified.

When we check we are looking for;


  • There are no missing, added or substituted letters or words.
  • There are no touching or improperly spaced letters or words.
  • That all the letters are written correctly,
  • All the necessary crowns are there.
  • Making minor repairs to faded and cracked letters or crowns.




There are times when a Mezuzah will require more work (for example if many of the letters or crowns on top of the letters are faded or cracked) and in that case we will advise if its worth to put the work into it or if its better off being replaced. in the event we agree to make the repairs we will give you a quote for the cost of the additional repairs.

In most cases we can accommodate same day checking but depending on our availability it is best to call and schedule ahead of time.
4 Comments

Having problems with your Tefillin?

4/13/2015

0 Comments

 
I just had someone in my office, he explained to me that he has always had a hard time making sure the knot on his arm Tefillin touches the actual Tefillin box as is required.

I looked at it and realized right away that his Tefillin knot was on upside down.

That is a problem.

*Lesson* If you are having any problems with your Tefillin be sure to have a Certified Sofer/Scribe take a look at it.

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Q. Why are there Hebrew letters on the Mezuzah, and on the case?

1/20/2015

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Q. Why are there Hebrew letters on the Mezuzah, and on the case?

A. These three letters which make up one of G-ds names are also an acronym for Shin – Shomer, Daled – Dalsos (or Diras), Yud – Yisroel which means G-d is watching the doors (or homes) of Israel. The Mezuzah protects us from harm’s way
According to Kabala these letters are to be written on the back side of every Mezuzah scroll not on the case, it has however become common practice for it to be put on the cases as well. It is however, not recommended for it to be on the case for fear of G-ds name getting erased or damaged and that is why most cases you will only find a shin and not all three letters on the case.

Please post any questions or comments we would love to hear from you!
Rabbi Kass can be reached at 845-262-0246 for all your Mezuzah, Tefillin, and Sefer Torah needs.

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Removing Mezuzos for Checking

8/11/2014

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When Removing Mezuzos for Checking the old nails, screws and tape previously used to affix the Mezuzos may be discarded. However, Mezuzah cases and Mezuzah wrappings if no longer needed should be treated as sacred material and require genizah/interment, after their use.

It is preferred to have all of the mezuzahs returned to their original doorposts, or at least to the same type of entrance way (i.e., from one bedroom door to another, or from one archway to another) in order that you don’t lower the status of a Mezuzah that was once on a door required Midoraisa (Biblical) to a entrance way that is only Rabbinical.

A practical suggestion: when removing the mezuzahs, label each mezuzah case with a number (using masking tape or the like). Tape an identical number on the doorpost from which it was removed. When the mezuzahs are remounted, match the numbers from your cases to the numbers on the doorposts.

When removing Mezuzos for Checking, or renovations are being done, or for any other reason when the Mezuzah is remounted, the blessing should be recited only if the Mezuzah was off the doorposts for at least one night. If you are also adding new Mezuzahs at this time, it is preferable to recite the blessing on a new one (providing that it is mounted on a door that requires a blessing).




0 Comments

Computer Checking

8/8/2014

0 Comments

 
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Computer checkingIn addition to a Sofers examination, we strongly recommended you to have a computer checking done as well.

Although examiners do the best they can, humans can make mistakes which the computer can catch. However, it is not a substitute for the manual examination, for although the computer can successfully catch missing and substituted letters, it can not determine letters with a problematic shape if they are Kosher or not, or do the actual repairs if necessary. This can only be accomplished through a meticulous manual examination by a qualified Sofer.

The cost for a computer examination is minimal and a one time expense. If you have never had your Teffilin or Mezuzos computer checked, it is advisable to do so the next time you have them examined.


0 Comments

How Often do Tefillin and Mezuzos need to be Checked?

8/8/2014

0 Comments

 
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The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch states that Mezuzos and Tefillin should optimally be checked on a yearly basis. If that is not possible then Mezuzos must be checked at least every three and a half years. Tefillin, However, have no mandatory time frame for checking. Rather they should be checked based on how they are handled, how often they are used, and atmospheric condition. As such. it is a good idea to inspect your Tefillin boxes and straps from time to tome to ensure that they are Kosher.

If you have any doubts or concerns, or if you have a reason to suspect something is amiss, they you should have your Mezuzos and Tefillin checked right away.



By checking your Meuzuzos regularly you will prevent serious problems from occurring as well as a potential big expense of having to replace your Mezuzos. 
If the letters start to grey or if the letters and crowns begin to form a small crack and break this will cause the Mezuzah to become not Kosher, if caught in time it can be fixed, however if it goes years without attention chances are it will be too late the breaks will be to big to be able to fixed and it will have to be replaced.


As well  unfortunately there are Mezuzos and Tefillin that were Not Kosher from the get go, and when a Sofer Checks Mezuzos or Tefillin there are many potential problems he is looking out for, such as: Letters, Words or/and Tagim that are Missing, Extra, Substituted, Touching, Broken. Improperly Spaced, Deformed. Faded, Cracked and weather damaged. As you can imagine that is a a lot to focus on while checking a Mezuzah or Tefillin. 


Very often when a Mezuzah has a lot of one particular problem such as problematic spacing the Sofer will be giving most of his attention to fixing the problematic spacing and not be giving 100% to other areas such as missing or added letters... Therefore the more often a Meuzah or Tefillin is checked the greater the chance all problems if any will be discovered.


Tips for removing Mezuzos for Checking
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    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.

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  • About
    • Testimonials
    • In the News
  • Contact
  • Store
    • Mezuzah >
      • Mezuzah Cover / Case and Accessories
    • Tefillin >
      • Tefillin Sets
      • 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
      • Paroches
      • Bimah Covers
      • Torah Yad / Pointer
      • Sefer Torah Crowns
      • Torah Breastplate
      • Rimonim
      • Ner Tomid
    • Megillah >
      • Megillah Case / Cover / Holder
    • Shul Furniture
    • Tzitzis and Talis
    • Yarmulkes and Gartels
    • Judaica
    • Sofer Stam / Safrus Supplies
  • Services
    • General Service Information
    • Mezuzah Services >
      • Mezuzah Checking / Repairs
      • Mezuzah House Call
      • Loaner / Mezuzah Gemach / Rent Mezuzos Monsey
    • Tefillin Services >
      • Tefillin Checking / Repairs
    • Sefer Torah Services >
      • Sefer Torah Checking / Reparis
      • Siyum Sefer Torah
    • Megillah Services
    • Sofer Workshops / Presentations
  • 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 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