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A guide to mezuzah scroll kashrut :

Kosher levels of mezuzah scrolls. Why pay more ?

The purpose of this short guide is to explain why the price range of different mezuzah scrolls vary so widely.

Rabbinic law has established special regulations for the preparation of the mezuzah scroll. In order to fulfill the commandment of the mezuzah, an observant (called a sofer stam) must write the 22 lines containing 713 letters on a kosher parchment using a kosher quill.

The mezuzah scroll comes from the skin of a kosher animal, usually a lamb or a goat. The quill is taken from a kosher fowl like a goose or a turkey, and the black ink is specially prepared from vegetable ingredients.

The text must then be written without any mistakes and in the correct order. Because of all these requirements, a mezuzah scroll price range varies between $20 to $80 depending on the sofer, the quality and the size.

Levels of scrolls :

1. Non kosher scroll.

a) Printed scrolls. Please be aware that there are simple printed scrolls and scrolls printed on parchment like paper which are more expensive and...nicer.

Note: This scrolls are for those of you who want to have a mezuzah at your door post but can't afford a kosher scroll or are not so strict.

b) Posul scrolls. These scrolls are handwritten but have either cracks, either writing mistakes in the text or overlapping letters.

2. Kosher bediavad.

This scrolls don't meet even the basic standards of halacha due to mistakes or poor quality. These scrolls are minimally kosher according to halacha, but it is preferable not to use such an item if a higher quality one is available.

Note: There are many scrolls sold on ebay for $15-$20 which are kosher but probably only at this level. The sellers mention that they are kosher but there are NO higher quality scrolls at this price level.

3. kosher lehatchila.

This scrolls meet the basic standards of halacha. These scrolls are kosher for a person to make a bracha, blessing, over it and use it to perform a mitzvah. Price range is $25-50 depending on size, parchment quality, hidur, and verification quality (by the rabbi and some by computer).

4. Mehudar.

Mehudar also means aesthetically enhanced. The Torah states: "This is God and I will glorify him". This scrolls are more beautiful or enhanced in their level of kashrut.

There are many levels of Mehudar, which are established by the quality of the sofer's craftsmanship that are visible to the human eye and the yirat shamayim (faith level) of the sofer, his personal integrity, the breadth and depth of his knowledge of the laws of STaM and visiting a Mikve daily. There are very little scrolls at this level on ebay and price is from $50 and up.

Please note that according to the Rabbinic law only level 2 scrolls and above fulfill the mitzvah of the mezuzah.

I hope this will help you make a wise choice for you home mezuzah.