Daf HaYomi B'Halacha Daily Email

How does one calculate the space necessary to write the letter yud?

There is a concept in safrus known as the shiur of an ois ketanah (the amount of space necessary to write the smallest possible letter—i.e. the letter yud). This concept has various applications. For example, if a hole develops in the right leg of the letter hei, it will still be kosher if the equivalent of an ois ketanah remains. For letters which are written in the typical Sta”m fashion, the space occupied by a yud is determined by the writing of the particular sofer. When Sta”m is written in large print, however, the poskim disagree about whether the space of a yud is calculated according to the large writing of that sofer or whether it can be calculated according to typical writing.

[סעיף טו, ס"ק מד, וביה"ל ד"ה מלוא; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 77]

What is the minimal size of the leg of an "ende" chof?

The length of the legs of the following letters must be at least the equivalent of an ois ketanah: the right legs of a hei and tav, the left leg of a kuf, and the legs of a daled, reish, ches, “ende”chof, pei and tzadik. The lower section of the lamed must be this size as well. In case the leg of any of these letters is erased, the equivalent of an ois ketanah must remain of the leg. If less than an ois ketanah remains, the letter is pasul even if it can still be identified by a young child. If a child cannot read the letter even if the minimal amount remains, the letter is invalid.

[סעיף טו, ס"ק מא-מג, וביה"ל ד"ה ואם; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 74-70]

What is the minimal length of the left leg of a hei?

The Rishonim disagree about whether the minimal size of the left leg of the hei must also be at least equivalent to an ois ketanah. Rema rules according to the strict view. Some poskim say that in this case, all that needs to remain is the equivalent of an ois ketanah in the smallest writing possible. Others imply that size of the ois ketanah would be relative to the size of the letters in that particular sample of Sta”m.

[סעיף טו, ס"ק לח-מ, וביה"ל ד"ה מלוא; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 67]

The letters of a Sefer Torah, tefillin or mezuzah must be completely surrounded by parchment on all sides.

Aside from the halacha that there cannot be a hole on the side of a letter, there is also a prohibition against having a hole in the letter itself. A hole is only an issue if it is noticeable. A hole which is covered by ink and is not felt by the scribe as his quill passes over it is not a problem.

According to many poskim, the middle of a letter--such as the space in the middle of the letter samach--does not have to be mukaf gvil. Therefore, a hole in that area does not invalidate the letter. The hole can even touch the inner part of the letter. The Talmud Yerushalmi, however, rules that the inside of a letter must also be mukaf gvil and hole free.

How does one verify if a letter is still written correctly?

How should the letter be shown to a child?

Is a severed aleph acceptable?

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.