Women and Writing the Megillah

Ross Singer Abstract: This paper outlines the theoretical possibilities for women to serve as scribes (sofrot) as presented in the classical talmudic and post-talmudic literature. Particular attention is paid to the literature addressing the validity of women to scribe Megillat Esther. It concludes that the majority of authorities and the weight of halakhic reasoning point … Continue reading Women and Writing the Megillah

Women writing mezuzot

A Masorti woman in Israel wishes to write a mezuzah. She knows how. May she? The sources all, from the gemara up, say that writing tefillin and writing mezuzot are halakhically inextricably linked, and that only someone hayav in tefillin and faithful in its observance is kosher to write mezuzot. (More detail here.)This is what … Continue reading Women writing mezuzot

Sofrot Conference 2014

Where: Toronto, City Shul When: May 29 (Thursday) – June 1 (Sunday siyum event) Female Torah scribes, established and upcoming, will gather to share experiences, study together, create ideas, forge bonds, find mentors, and expand their abilities and energy as scribes to bring Torah and scrolls to their communities and students. And by Torah scribes … Continue reading Sofrot Conference 2014

Gittin 45b

Sifrei Torah, tefillin and mezuzot The Talmud, in Gittin 45b, says: דתני רב המנונא בריה דרבא מפשרוניא: ס”ת, תפלין ומזוזות שכתבן (מין) ומסור, עובד כוכבים ועבד, אשה וקטן, וכותי וישראל מומר – פסולין, שנאמר: [דברים י”א] וקשרתם… וכתבתם, כל שישנו בקשירה ישנו בכתיבה, וכל שאינו בקשירה אינו בכתיבה; Rav Hamnuna the son of Rava from … Continue reading Gittin 45b

Tefillin Barbie

About Tefillin Barbie Mattel’s Halloween Hip Barbie 2006 came with a lovely frum denim skirt, so she looked like most of my friends. Accordingly, I figured she ought to be wearing tefillin, just like my friends. As well as the tallit (with tekhelet, of course) and tefillin, she has a siddur and a volume of … Continue reading Tefillin Barbie

Tefillin

For an excellent and detailed description of the function and manufacture of tefillin, the reader is recommended to www.stam.net and Machon Ott. The Wikipedia entry is also extensive. Stam.net also have a book, Tefillin and Mezuzos: A Pictorial Guide, by Yerachmiel Askotzky – “A sofer shows you how to choose, maintain and understand your tefillin, … Continue reading Tefillin

Mezuzah

The mezuzah is found on Jews’ doorways; it’s a wee scroll inside a protective case, also (confusingly) referred to as a mezuzah. The scroll is handwritten on parchment, in accordance with an awful lot of laws, in very tiny writing. Stam.net has a lengthy introduction to mezuzot; Wikipedia has a shorter but more wide-ranging article. … Continue reading Mezuzah

Ketubah text

My commentary in italics. If the contents offend your sensibilities, I’m sorry. This is the traditional text; if you want to create a non-traditional text which is more pleasing to you, I will be happy to discuss it. On the x day of the week, y day of the month, in the year z since … Continue reading Ketubah text