Here is an article I wrote recently....comments and feedback appreciated...feel free to reproduce etc

By -

Comments

  1. Alberto AttiaJune 1, 2015 at 11:36 AM

    Nice article. Enjoyed reading it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yerachmiel AskotzkyJune 1, 2015 at 5:40 PM

    good article.

    I've expressed my opinion about the mezuzah cases in a recent post. I think the quality (made in Israel) all weather, white, Lucite cases are overall the best due to their color, plug vs screw, ability to breath through the indirect hole in the plug and the fact that they are spacious.

    Are aluminum cases not used by those who are makpid on the opinion not to use metal cases?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eli GutnickJune 1, 2015 at 7:35 PM

      Many are makpid even with aluminium.

      Some also don't allow silver cases. I'm not sure if this is correct

      Delete
    2. Eli GutnickJune 1, 2015 at 7:36 PM

      Many are makpid even with aluminium.

      Some also don't allow silver cases. I'm not sure if this is correct

      Delete
    3. Dovid Nissan BressmanJune 2, 2015 at 2:20 AM

      Concerning silver and gold mezuzah cases, the Daas Kedoshim suggests that it was always avoided due to the concern that the cases would be stolen. However many in practice do not use any type of metallic mezuzah cases even if there is no concern of it being stolen (See Nesivim Bisdeh Hashlichus vol. 1 p. 94 that brings this practice in the name of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; See also Pischei Shearim 289:86- who quotes this practice in the name of the Skolia Rebbe).

      Delete
  3. Yerachmiel AskotzkyJune 1, 2015 at 5:47 PM

    The Keses requires the sides of the retzuos to be black. The all black retzuos often have this so, while we don't pasken like this, this is a small halachic advantage over the regular retzuos.

    Also, at least in Israel, the all black retzuos cost only a bit more than the regular retzuos so here the difference in price is mostly insignificant and the fact that the all black retzuos will likely last much longer makes the few extra dollars well worth it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AriJune 1, 2015 at 10:39 PM

    Shkoyach, R' Eli.
    I would possibly add two things that I've come across:
    1) Something about your local Rav and checking mezuzos. I can't tell you how many times people here have told me that their shule Rav (who I know is not a sofer, let alone magiha) has checked their mezuzos, etc. Perhaps could be worked into Myth 2 somehow?
    2) The "But I bought it in Israel" claim. I know that most sensible, frum people know you need to buy from a reputable place, but a large majority of non-religious people have no clue...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eli GutnickJune 2, 2015 at 10:12 AM

      The bought in Israel claim is a shocker. I plan on posting something soon about that

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Commercially Viable

By -
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 / …
Read more