Silk-screened sifrei Torah, tefillin, mezuzas and
megillos, produced and distributed by a ring of
forgers, were uncovered recently in Eretz Yisroel. These
kisvei stam, invalid for use according to all
opinions, are virtually indistinguishable from the valid
product.
Computer scanners can be used to create patterns that
replicate writing by top soferim, reproducing entire
pages within minutes. The elaborate fraud led to a major
scandal, shocking leading halachic authorities. Since only
expert i>soferim are able to distinguish between genuine
writing and silk-screened reproductions, many innocent
consumers are liable to purchase unfit mezuzas, sifrei
Torah and tefillin.
Gedolei haposkim issued harsh letters of denunciation
against the ring of forgers who breached the walls of
kedushoh by relying on halachic rulings rejected by
all poskei hador. A letter signed by HaRav Yosef
Sholom Eliashiv reads, "A Megillas Esther bearing peculiar
writing on a klaf was brought before me and, although
it appears to have been written by a skilled professional
with a variety of hiddurim, a special examination
indicates this is not kesivoh at all, but was done
through silk- screening.
"In addition to the michsholim that could result, it
remains to be determined whether this falls under the rubric
of `kosav, velo shofach' discussed in Perek Beis
of Gittin Yerushalmi. In kisvei stam there
is also a deficiency in sanctifying the Holy Names, rendering
[the writings] totally unfit and forbidden for mitzvah use.
Anyone who issues a halachic ruling permitting them and
anyone involved in their sale or distribution is a sinner and
causes the public to sin.
"According to the Maharshal they require genizah:
`Writes Chochmas Shlomo on Gittin 54b, "He pays
nothing, not even their value for study use. Although
sifrei Torah were once studied from [directly], in the
case of sifrei Torah it is prohibited, since they are
liable to be used for public readings; instead they should be
destroyed through genizah."' The Tiferes Shlomo on the
Rosh and the Taz on Yoreh Deah (271) rule
similarly.
"He who wants to fulfill the mitzvos of laying tefillin,
fixing a mezuzoh, reading a megilloh or
writing a sefer Torah should verify that the item was
written by an skilled sofer with yiras
Shomayim."
A letter issued by HaRav Nissim Karelitz reads, "Considering
the many michsholim involved in sifrei Torah,
tefillin, mezuzas and megillos not written
properly but merely [produced] through silk-screen printing,
I hereby give notice that they are entirely unfit; he who
lays such tefillin has never laid tefillin on
his head and a home with such mezuzas is a home
without a mezuzoh. All those involved in this are
subject to double retribution and those who bring merit to
the public by [producing] kosher stam writing will
receive great reward . . . "
Another harsh warning was issued by the Beis Din Tzedek of
the Eida Chareidis in Jerusalem and signed by the Av Beis
Din as well as other members. The letter states, "We were
seized with great fear and trembling upon seeing sections of
a sefer Torah and megilloh produced through
silk- screen printing and brought before us. This was done by
people of ill repute who lack any trace of yiras
Shomayim and who are involved in distributing them on the
market with the sole intention of uprooting the foundations
of halochoh of this sacred work, and woe are we to see such a
phenomenon in our day.
"We hereby disclose our position, daas Torah, that
sifrei Torah, tefillin, mezuzas and megillos
produced through these means are entirely unfit and
cannot be used to fulfill mitzvos, and doing so is a grave
prohibition. Furthermore it is prohibited to keep them, as is
written, `Al tishkon be'oholechoh avloh.' He who
commits or assists in this act is a sinner and causes the
masses to sin and will one day have to stand judgment for
this. And he who guards his soul will distance himself from
them. Therefore producers and distributors are not to sell
parchments to those involved in this.
"Those who purchased sifrei Torah, tefillin or mezuzas
recently without knowledge of their source must have them
checked by a skilled sofer, and anyone who knows
people who produce, distribute or sell such sifrei Torah,
tefillin, mezuzas or megillos is required to
notify the beis din in order to protect the public
from transgressions. Those who heed our words will dwell in
peace and serenity. May we merit the salvation and redemption
of Klal Yisroel through the coming of the Goel Tzedek
speedily in our days, amen."
Beis Din Tzedek Zichron Moshe issued a notice stating the
following:
"A. These sifrei Torah, tefillin, mezuzas and
megillos are prohibited outright since they are not an
act of writing in any form whatsoever, and by reciting a
brochoh on them one is reciting a brochoh
levatoloh, and of course one cannot fulfill mitzvos with
them.
"B. It is prohibited to keep such a sefer Torah, even
for use as a Chumash or megilloh from which to
study. It has the status of an unchecked sefer Torah,
particularly since its fault is indiscernible and it must be
sent to the genizah immediately; keeping it
constitutes a violation of "al tishkon be'oholechoh
avloh."
"C. Buyers misled by sellers can cancel the transaction and
demand a refund, since this is worse than a mum
bemekach, for it is like providing an entirely different
type of item.
"D. Thus every rov and moreh horo'oh must prevent this
stumbling block from spreading further, choliloh. He
who is able to prevent these printers from bringing stumbling
blocks before the masses, Rachmono litzlan, by halting
their activities must stop this public stumbling block, and
blessings will come upon him."
The letter is signed by Beis Din members HaRav Moshe Shaul
Klein, HaRav Yaakov Meir Stern and HaRav Shlomo Zalman Ulman.
Av Beis Din HaRav Shmuel HaLevi Wosner also signed, adding,
"The above remarks are as clear as day, for this type of
writing activity is totally unfit according to Torah law and
carries all of the implications mentioned in the above
rulings by the reputable rabbonim, and the halochoh requires
one to distance himself from this aberration."
Rabbonim, moreh horo'oh and activists working to
staunch the forgery ring expressed hopes that the publication
of the daas Torah of maranan verabonon, headed
by HaRav Eliashiv, shlita, will put an end to the
distribution of silk-screened sifrei Torah, tefillin
and mezuzas and will raise awareness among the general
public to ensure such items are only purchased at locations
under the supervision of known and authorized rabbonim and
moreh horo'oh.
