Both the Shulchan Aruch Harav and the Mishnah Brurah use similar terminology when describing the importance of the shin being "pointy" on the bottom and all three branches of the letter shin meeting at a point or "chad" at the bottom of the letter. There is a strong foundation in Halacha for this and for the bottom of the shin to be flat like a moshav (base) is considered questionable (Pri Megadim) and definitely not Kosher Lechatchillah. It is worse if the moshav is very wide, but it is still questionable if it is lechatchillah if there is a thick noticeable base rather than a chad. Even for Sephardim, who lechatchillah make an angular base, it is still important that the base is indeed on a (significant) angle. If the base is flat, even if all three branches of the shin come out of the base connected , as in the top picture, it is problematic. It is worse in the bottom picture below where the right head/ branch comes out of the right part of the base and the m
Have you considered using the Vaad's checking system? It may be more affordable (the software can be a big layout upfront) and also helps to support the work of the Vaad. R' Shmiel Traube (on this forum - Bais HaStam) can provide you with a lot of practical info on using it, registering, etc.
ReplyDeleteI would love info on that too. As I am not a professional sofer, the investment for the software is cost-prohibitive.
ReplyDeletemost people who buy the program buy Tor's program called Tikkun Sofrim
ReplyDeletehow do i get this program?
ReplyDeleteI will be back in my office after shabbos, I will post their number then
ReplyDeleteThere is a program called Keshet Hasofer and is produced by a sofer in Betar Ilit.
ReplyDeleteIt is reasonably priced and is designed for "as you go checking". They are very responsive to questions.
It's not designed for checking an entire Sefer Torah at once but rather to catch any errors before you get too far along.
Their website is keshethasofer.com
(R' Eli - I apologize if the posting of websites is not permitted)
for the tikkun sofrim program i use - tel no 97239798090
ReplyDelete