The circulation of a list of Stam (Sifrei Torah, Tefillin,
Mezuzos) retailers who are now under rabbinical
supervision has aroused much interest in chareidi centers
throughout the world. Many praise this new initiative which
implements guidelines issued a number of weeks ago in the
name of prominent rabbonim.
In this initial stage, a list of eight retailers was issued.
These retailers have agreed to supervision by the committee
of Stam inspectors. The eight, whose outlets are in
Jerusalem, are among the most important in the city.
The scribes under committee supervision must be yirei
Shomayim. In addition, they must have diplomas testifying
that they passed examinations and have accepted all of the
supervising body's demands. Their mezuzos undergo
computerized inspection as well as hagoho by expert
magihim. The retailers have agreed to these conditions
in response to the call of gedolei Yisroel seeking to
correct the terrible situation prevailing in this area so
important to all Jews. Knowledgeable consumers were able to
find good quality articles, but the average consumer had
great difficulty and could not rest assured that the articles
he purchased were good. Many requirements of Stam
articles are not evident from an inspection of the final
product.
The mezuzos are now packaged and subsequently
classified according to degree of kashrus, which is
determined by expert morei horo'oh. The package is then
stamped and hermetically sealed in order to prevent forgery.
Torah-observant Jews all over the world welcome this
systematic supervision. The retailers themselves say that the
circulation of the list has generated considerable interest
in the system. Significantly, retailers with this special
supervision have been asked not to raise their prices.
Stam retailers in the United States have also displayed
interest in the project, since most such items they sell come
from Eretz Yisroel. The committee of supervisors plans
to establish centers in the United States as well.
