What to look out for when buying Mehudar Tefillin

 

Question:

Since it’s my first time buying tefillin for my son, I have some questions:

Is there a preference that the sofer be a married person as opposed to a bochur?

Regarding hiddurim in the klaf, battim and retzuos, what can you tell me that I should be on the lookout for and try to make an effort to obtain?

 

Answer:

Sofer:

No preference per se that the sofer be married. He should be at least 18 years old.

The most important thing is that the sofer is a Yirei Shamaim.

See here as well:

• Article: How to Choose a Sofer?
• How can I tell who is a trustworthy and reliable local seller of Tefillin which are truly Mehudar

 

There are many more hiddurim, too numerous to list. You can learn about them in books dedicated to this matter, such as:

• Inside Stam: A Complete Buyer’s Guide for Tefillin Mezuzot Megillot Sifrei Torah & Nevi’im
• מדריך לקניית תפלין
• בירורים למעשה בעניני תפילין
• etc.

 

See also here:

• Is it better to buy Tefillin, and Mezuzos from a Sofer that only writes after going to the Mikva that day?
• Kashrus of Battim
• Is There any Advantage to Retzuos that are Painted Black on Both Sides?
• Must a Sofer computer check his work?
• What are minimum and maximum numbers and lengths for the hairs sticking out from head Tefillin base front hole?
• If I did not leave the space of nine letters after the Parsha of Shema in Rabbeinu Tam, do I have to tell the customer about it and explain the back and forth of it?

 

 

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