Daf HaYomi B'Halacha Daily Email

Can there be a hole right next to a letter?

As we have learned, each letter of Sta”m must be mukaf gvil (fully surrounded by parchment). There are two explanations of this halacha mentioned in the poskim. Some understand that the concern involves two letters touching each other. The letters are not kosher if they touch, even if the attachment happened after they were written. Others say that a hole in the parchment next to a letter can also interfere with mukaf gvil. According to this opinion, the concern only applies at the time of writing. Later Achronim disagree about whether these two views agree with one another.

[סעיף טז, ס"ק נד, וביה"ל ד"ה כשנכתב וד"ה ואחר כך]

Are connected letters kosher?

If one letter becomes connected to another while the sofer is writing, the letters are pasul. If they become attached after the sofer picks up his hand from writing, the letters are questionably pasul. Some Achronim explain that the question hinges on the disagreement mentioned above. According to the first explanation, the letters may never connect. According to the second view, mukaf gvil is only an issue at the time that the letters are written. Some Achronim say that both views agree that the letters must always remain detached.

[סעיף טז, ס"ק נד ו־נז, וביה"ל ד"ה כשנכתב וד"ה ואחר כך; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 93]

Can a letter be written at the edge of the parchment?

A letter which was written either next to a hole or next to the edge of the parchment is pasul. Since at the time of writing it was not surrounded by parchment, it is not mukaf gvil. If, however, the letter was written properly but then the parchment either developed a hole or shriveled up so that the letter is approaching the edge, it is kosher. If the hole spread from letter to letter so that the letters are no longer separated by parchment, some poskim say that they are pasul.

[סעיף טז, ס"ק נד, נז ו־נט, וביה"ל ד"ה ואחר כך; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 94]

If the leg of a vav or zayin was partially erased or severed and it is unclear if it still represents the correct letter or if it looks like a yud, it must be shown to a child to see if he can read it correctly. This child must have the ability to read but should not yet be smart enough to read a letter based on context. If he reads it properly, the letter is still kosher.

When testing a child, the surrounding words should be covered so that the child will not guess the correct letter based on the surrounding words.

A letter which was erased or severed to the extent that it no longer resembles its original shape is invalid, even if a child can read it properly. For example, if one of the yud-shaped components of an aleph is severed, the letter no longer resembles an aleph. Even if a child would still read it as an aleph, it is pasul.

Can a letter be formed by removing a splotch of ink?

Does chok tochos apply if a letter was once written properly?

Can a letter be rewritten with the intention of lishmah?

PLEASE NOTE: The information in this email is for learning purposes only. Please review the Mishna Berura and Biurim U'Musafim before making a halachic decision. Hebrew words are occasionally transliterated to enable a smoother reading of the text. Common Ashkenazi pronunciation is generally used in these cases.