The STa”M Project
Restoring transparency and reliability to the field of Sifrei Torah, Tefillin and Mezuzos
What is STAMP?
The STAMP Certification
List of Stores selling STAMP-certified products
List of STAMP-certified sofrim
List of STAMP-trained magihim
I’d like to buy a STa”M product
The Need
What is STAMP?
STAMP is a nonprofit organization, operating under the direct supervision and guidance of the STa”M industry’s leading rabbonim. Our sole mission is to restore transparency and reliability to the world of STa”M.
Mezuzos, Tefillin, Sifrei Torah, etc., have long been produced by individuals working independently, with no organized supervision. As a result, there are countless stories of STa”M articles which have been in use for years – or even decades – and subsequently discovered to be invalid. Even more alarming, countless Jews around the world are still using STa”M every day, unaware that it does even meet the most basic standards of halacha.
The current lack of supervision in the field has resulted in a worldwide situation where STa”M products are sent to market without any reliable way of knowing whether or not they are kosher.
- Was it written by a Sofer who is suitable for this holy work and has up-to-date certification?
- Were the materials used (i.e. klaf, ink, etc.) produced in a halachically reliable manner?
- Was it properly checked by a certified checker (known as a “Magiah”)?
- Was it properly “computer checked” as is mandated by halacha?
- If uncertainties arose during the writing or checking process, was a posek (with specific expertise in the field of STa”M) consulted?
Even if the answer to all of these questions is “yes”, how would the consumer know and thereby feel reassured that the STa”M item purchased is reliably kosher?
What KOSHER agencies did for FOOD,
STAMP is now doing for the field of STa"M
Our Mission
Guide
To provide guidance to the public for all STa”M-related needs.
Educate
To educate the public about STa”M and its halachic requirements, thereby empowering the consumer to know what to look for when purchasing.
Regulate
To create a worldwide STa”M market that is 100% transparent and regulated.
How STAMP is regulating the STa”M industry
“Pre-STAMP” | STAMP | |
|---|---|---|
The Sofer | Many Sofrim were not certified at all and a large percentage of those who were, did not renew their certification as required. | To become STAMP-certified, a Sofer must pass a multi-stage test with a written, oral and “hands-on” component. At least one reference is contacted to verify his suitability. Certification must be renewed annually. Failure to fulfill these criteria will automatically “freeze” the Sofer’s profile within the STAMP database thereby disabling his items from becoming STAMP-certified. |
The Materials | Buyers could purchase the most mehudar item, written by the world’s greatest Sofer but never know that it was written on/with material that was not manufactured in a halachially reliable manner. | Before receiving full STAMP-certification, every Sofer must sign a contract, included in which is the requirement to use only materials approved by the STAMP Rabbinic board. |
The Finished Product | Buyers have never been able to verify with absolute certainty whether or not the item was written by a certified Sofer, written on/with reliable klaf (parchment) and ink and properly checked by a certified Magiah as well as “computer checked” as is mandated by halacha. | STAMP takes full responsibility for kashrus and reliability of every item it certifies. Every item must pass our 5-stage checking process before receiving full STAMP-certification: Note: The STAMP rabbinic board performs daily spot checks of the Magihim’s work, providing them with the support and guidance necessary to constantly improve and hone their checking skills. |
The Sofer |
|---|
“Pre-STAMP”Many Sofrim were not certified at all and a large percentage of those who were, did not renew their certification as required.STAMPTo become STAMP-certified, a Sofer must pass a multi-stage test with a written, oral and “hands-on” component.At least one reference is contacted to verify his suitability. Certification must be renewed annually. Failure to fulfill these criteria will automatically “freeze” the Sofer’s profile within the STAMP database thereby disabling his items from becoming STAMP-certified. |
The Materials |
|---|
“Pre-STAMP”Buyers could purchase the most mehudar item, written by the world’s greatest Sofer but never know that it was written on/with material that was not manufactured in a halachially reliable manner.STAMPBefore receiving full STAMP-certification, every Sofer must sign a contract, included in which is the requirement to use only materials approved by the STAMP Rabbinic board. |
The Finished Product |
|---|
“Pre-STAMP”Buyers have never been able to verify with absolute certainty whether or not the item was written by a certified Sofer, written on/with reliable klaf (parchment) and ink and properly checked by a certified Magiah as well as “computer checked” as is mandated by halacha.STAMPSTAMP takes full responsibility for kashrus and reliability of every item it certifies. Every item must pass our 5-stage checking process before receiving full STAMP-certification:Note: The STAMP rabbinic board performs daily spot checks of the Magihim’s work, providing them with the support and guidance necessary to constantly improve and hone their checking skills. |
Empowering the Public Through Education
Many people are not aware of the endless number of complex halachos involved in the production of STa”M. STAMP’s community education program helps to raise awareness of these halachic requirements and the assurance provided by a proper system of supervision throughout the production process.
It is important to emphasize that STAMP is not introducing a new set of chumros (halachic stringencies), but rather creating a system that ensures halachic compliance. Just like the field of food kashrus has progressed dramatically in the past 100 years, our goal is that, by raising public awareness through education, the demand for STa”M certification will transform the level of halachic compliance throughout the field, and provide the consumer with the best quality possible.
STAMP is under the direct guidance and supervision of five of the world’s leading authorities in the field of STa”M.
HaRav
Reuvain Mendlowitz
shlit”a
HaRav
Yaakov Zions
shlit”a
HaRav
Don Bricker
shlit”a
HaRav
Moshe Uri Bloi
shlit”a
HaRav
Chaim Sperling
shlit”a
Rabbi Avraham Yechezkel Lessin
Executive Director
How Else is STAMP Changing the Field of STa”M?
Magihim Training
We work to eliminate the current global shortage of magihim, via specialized training programs.
Promoting Fair Trade Standards
Professional Support Network
Safrus has traditionally been an isolated field, with both sofer and magiah working on their own. By creating a community of magihim who work together, STAMP’s system promotes feedback and professional development both to fellow magihim and to the sofrim whose work they check – helping to raise their professional standards and increase their job prospects.
Publishing new seforim on STa”M
Please check back soon for PDF files of new kuntreisim and seforim that STAMP is in the process of publishing on various topics of STa”M.
Offering financial guidance to Sofrim/Magihim
Working as a Sofer and/or Magiah can be an even greater source of parnasa for one’s family if the work is done within a framework of proper business practices. We partner with multiple experts from “Mesila” to offer both group lectures as well as one-on-one meetings to STAMP-certified Sofrim/Magihim. The goal is to help educate them how to set up a proper business and how to keep it running in the most professional and financially reliable manner.
State-of-the-art Computer Checking System
In addition to the two checks done by the magihim, every item is reviewed by STAMP’s state-of-the-art computer checking system. This software uses cutting-edge technology that not only identifies problems with staggering accuracy, but also employs numerous innovations that ensure the reliability of the item. This computer check is performed at three points: when the item first enters the STAMP checking portal, between the first and second magiah and, finally, upon completion of the checking process. With this, a STAMP-certified item has been checked a total of five times!
Partners
The OU is a partner and promoter of STAMP’s work. The OU symbol accompanies all STAMP-certified mezuzos to signify the OU’s approval of the supervision process.
Questions?
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The STa”M Project
S
ifrei torah
T
efillin
M
ezuzos & megillos
A nonprofit organization restoring transparency and reliability to the field of STa”M
