Metal writing tip
How does the use of a rapidograph with a metal tip sit with the kabbalistic concept of not using metal as a writing instrument.
How about the Bais of Uleovdo?
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Commercially Viable
This video shows a sofer writing a sefer Torah. This sofer has a good hand, writes at a nice pace, and can ask a decent price. But one can also tell how the sefer Torah industry has commercialised the process, allowing for better productivity.
Note the following:
1) The sofer is writing on a light table, which means he does not have to worry about planning the spacing and can just trace over the letters. This saves a lot of time. This also minimises mistakes and saves time of repairs.
2) The quill is a plastic kulmos with a repository, which means you need to dip it into the ink every few lines instead of every few letters. Also you do not need to sharpen it and make new quills. Both of these save time.
3) The klaf today is more refined and smooth, easier to write on. Not uneven and rough like the old days. I'm sure lots of "mei klaf" is added. This enhances writing speed and quality of writing.
4) Double sirtut. Again this enhances quality and neatness.
5) The tagin / …
Note the following:
1) The sofer is writing on a light table, which means he does not have to worry about planning the spacing and can just trace over the letters. This saves a lot of time. This also minimises mistakes and saves time of repairs.
2) The quill is a plastic kulmos with a repository, which means you need to dip it into the ink every few lines instead of every few letters. Also you do not need to sharpen it and make new quills. Both of these save time.
3) The klaf today is more refined and smooth, easier to write on. Not uneven and rough like the old days. I'm sure lots of "mei klaf" is added. This enhances writing speed and quality of writing.
4) Double sirtut. Again this enhances quality and neatness.
5) The tagin / …
What " kabbalistic concept of not using metal as a writing instrument?!" Can you provide a source?
ReplyDeleteThe halacha is clearly stated in the Keses Hasofer that we write with any writing implement, "even with a metal pen."
The concept of not using metal for writing is well documented, and the source is Hilchos Gittin (see the Rema 125:4).
ReplyDeleteBut there are also those who say "al pi sod" not to use metal, because metal "shortens lives" and it says by the Mizbeach "Lo sonif aleyhem barzel" and this applies here as well.
There is a short but fundamental teshuvah by the Shevet Halevi on this whole concept which brings down all the opinions and the conclusion is not to use metal for writing, but better use a feather quill as per the accepted custom. See Shevet Halevi, chelek 2, siman 136.
Yosef's question is a fair one. I agree that it's somewhat ironic fixing tagei lamed which are supposed to be done "al pi hasod"( to mke the right higher than left) with a metal nibbed rapidograph that shouldn't really be used al pi hasod, because it shortens life.