A Sofer’s Plea to Rabbonim & Roshei Yeshivos

By Yosef Kaufmann

Over this past Elul, as I checked mezuzahs and tefillin, one thing became painfully clear: we are facing a serious lack of education about the world of STa”M (Sifrei Torah, Tefillin, and Mezuzahs) — especially within our own Chabad community.

Time after time, people bring me their mezuzahs and tefillin, assuming that all is well. But when I begin to explain issues that I encounter while checking, the usual response is, “I don’t speak this language.” These are sincere, frum people who want to do the right thing — but they were never taught how to navigate this area of Yiddishkeit that is both halachically complex and spiritually fundamental.

Chazal have taught us that STa”M is not just parchment and ink — it is a physical expression of Hashem’s presence in our lives. Every aspect of each letter carries kedushah; every detail matters. The Rebbe spoke many times about the shemira that kosher mezuzahs bring. When something so central to a Yid’s connection with Hashem is neglected or misunderstood, it affects both the gashmiyus and ruchniyus of our homes.

As a sofer, I can say with certainty that too many people are unknowingly using mezuzahs or tefillin that are well below the standard that a Chossid should have. Not out of neglect, but out of a lack of knowledge. They were never given the tools to know better. To understand the difference between a 10cm and a 15cm mezuzah. To appreciate that the extra expense is a worthwhile investment in the spiritual foundation and protection of one’s home and family.

This should be a priority for all mechanchim. Our chosson teachers also have a huge impact and responsibility: they are preparing our bochurim to build and establish chassidishe homes. The mezuzahs they are about to affix to their doorways — and the tefillin they will, iy”H, one day buy for their sons — are not side details. They are part of the very foundation of that home’s kedusha and protection. Teaching how to buy STa”M, what to look for, what questions to ask, must be included in that preparation.

The same applies to our bar mitzvah boys. Alongside learning how to put on tefillin properly, they should be taught how to recognize basic issues — such as cracked retzuos, so they can avoid, chas v’shalom, putting on problematic or invalid tefillin. This awareness is not beyond them; on the contrary, it empowers them to take true ownership of the mitzvah.

That is why I turn now, with respect and urgency, to our roshei yeshivah, rabbonim, and chosson teachers, principals and mechanchim: please make STa”M education a part of your curriculum and guidance. Even a single shiur, a short discussion, or a few minutes in a chosson class can open eyes and prevent years of unintentional issues.

As a small step in that direction, I have put together a short STa”M Buyer’s Guide — a simple resource to help people know what to ask, what to look for, and how to make informed decisions when buying mezuzahs and tefillin. But this can only go so far. Real change will come when the awareness begins in the classroom, in yeshivah, and under the guidance of our rabbonim and teachers.

If we can give our community the language of STa”M — the ability to ask, to discern, and to take pride in the beauty and hiddur of these holy items — we will be fulfilling not only a halachic responsibility but also a directive of the Rebbe: to ensure that every Yid is surrounded, physically and spiritually, by the Kedusha of kosher mezuzahs and tefillin.
Let’s not let another Elul go by with people saying, “I don’t speak this language.” Let’s start teaching it.