Etz-Ron Newsletter
February, 2007

Etz-Ron Mosaic Groger

No chance of hearing the H word when you swing an Etz-Ron Mosaic Groger ! As well as being a real noisemaker, it is also a beautiful piece to display year round.

Queen Esther surely would have kept her baubles in this beautiful Mosaic Jewlery Box w/ Three Drawers . There is ample room to store the most precious of jewels in the felt lined drawers. For a smaller box, check out Mosaic Jewelry Box in three sizes, a fine gift idea for yourself or a loved one.

Etz-Ron is now offering a Megilah Esther Scroll and Etz-Ron Mosaic Megilah Case Set ! The Scroll of Esther parchment is written by scribe, David Gilberg, and the Megillah Case is made by Etz-Ron! Following is an interview w/ David Gilberg.

David Gilberg, scribe

What is a sofer stam? A sofer stam is a scribe who writes texts for holy purpose. Stam is an acronym for the first letter of the following words (in Hebrew): sefer (samech), tefilim (taf) and mezzuzot (mem), and an explanation of most of the work a sofer does.

What is the most important part about being a scribe? A scribe must have the proper cavanah (intentions), i.e. writing for the holiness of the text, especially the name of G-d. A declaration of intention must be made anew before beginning to write each time. Because such a big part of the scribes work is "good intentions for holy purpose" it is important that every letter be hand written. That is why a parchment cannot be reproduced on an offset printer. Machines have no intentions at all!

Scroll of Esther Parchment example

What do you actually study to become a sofer? You must learn the laws of how to write the letters and the holy names, as well the rules on how to make corrections. Each letter must be true writing. For example, if a drop of ink falls off the quill onto the parchment and looks like a letter, it is not acceptable, for it was not truly written. There are prescribed forms for the gaps between each letter, and there are certain laws about how one may write G-d's name. It can take from 6 months to 6 years (or more) to master all the laws to become a certified scribe.

What kind of tests must you pass? There is a written test which covers the information pertaining to the laws of writing holy texts and an oral test. There is also a simple written test.

Etz-Ron Mosaic Megillah Case

How is the parchment made? The hide is removed from the cow and put in a chemical bath to remove the hair. This can take several months. Parts of the hide that are not used get shaved down. Only the outer part of the hide is used and the parchment is written on the inner side of the outer hide! When processed, the parchment is about 0.5 mm thick (it gets shaved down to paper thickness). The parchment is treated with chalk to whiten it.

Then where does the parchment go? Usually a dealer gets the hides and prepares them for the sofer, by cutting the prepared parchments to size and scoring the lines onto the parchment (so the writing will be perfectly straight.). Lines are only mandatory for the Torah and mezzuzot, and are not required for tefilim. Then the parchment is sold to the sofer, who in turns treats the parchment so that it will be easy to write on, by absorbing the ink better, using a combination of talc and/or other chemicals.

What does the sofer use to write? A sofer uses a qulmus (goose feather quill) which is shaved to a point to write with. A sofer must learn to sharpen the qulmus, and write the letters using a special vegetable based ink without blotches.

Traditional Megillah Case with Stand

How is the writing positioned? There are established existing texts to use for spacing properties, like a template. The writing is both right and left justified.

What happens if a sofer makes a mistake while writing? It depends on what is being written. If a Tenach is being worked on, corrections can be made. But if a mistake is made while working on mezzuzot or tefilim, it is much more difficult to correct as there are strict rules about the order in which each letter must be written. Corrections can be made, but only if they are done immediately. If for example, ink spills on a mezzuzah or tefilim after it was written, the entire parchment must be put in the geniza (holding place for holy texts before burial) or buried.

How does a sofer fix a mistake? A knife is used to scrape the mistake, or a razor blade to peel off the mistake, then the surface must be restored by sanding and then applying talc. Finally the lines must be re-scored.

It takes about a month for David to write a Scroll of Esther Parchment . You are sure to be pleased! You can also choose the base wood of the custom made Etz-Ron Mosaic Megilah Case and together these two products are sure to add to your Judaica collection! Questions? Use the contact Amy form at the bottom of this page.

Wishing you a joyous Purim,
Amy G.