| reply to < Note 343.0 by IAGO::SCHOELLER "Gavriel" >
>>I am interested in purchasing tefillin. I live close to Boston and would
>>probably go to The Israel Bookstore in Brookline. I don't have any idea
>>how to shop for such things. Could anybody suggest:
>>
>> o Good (or bad) maker?
>> o What to look for?
>> o What questions to ask?
Gavriel,
This is a process which, believe it or not, is fraught with problems!
The most difficult problem is that everyone wants to pay as little as
possible, but the number of sofers is going down, and they _do_ have to
make a living. It's been estimated (from inspections!) that up to
70% (not a typo, seventy percent) of tefillin in daily use are posul.
There are good makers, both in the US and in Israel. I have dealt with
one in NY with very good experience, and I can list the name if you like.
But read on, first:
0) Go to the Israel Bookshop and buy a copy of the paperback
"The Tefillin Handbook" and read it.
1) A good pair of tefillin will outlast their original owner.
A poor pair of tefillin can disintegrate in ones of years.
It is therefore very poor economy to try to "save money" on
this purchase. You should _expect_ to spend over $200 or
$300 for a decent pair. $49.95 generally won't do!
There are many pair of Tefillin from $60 to about $150-$175.
I'd avoid them all. It's just too little money considering
the work involved in a good set.
2) Since you might expect the majority of _new_ Tefillin to be
posul, ideally you should buy from the sofer, not a store.
Then you have the chance to inspect the parchments, or better,
have a _competent_ (i. e., experienced, observant, Orthodox)
Rabbi inspect the parchments. 75% of the posul Tefillin are
due to malformed letters, cut off (yes!) letters [some people
in Israel mass-produce, and cut apart the parchments after
writing! Cost, you know...], missing words, etc.
If you can inspect the parchments first, you'll _know_ they're
good, and you get the added benefit of being able to pick
the size/style of baytim (the leather "boxes") you like.
I saved a couple of hundred dollars in my Tefillin by getting
the "best available" parchments, and "good quality" baytim.
When you buy from the sofer, you also get the ability to specify
Askenaz or Sephard style, whichever is your minhag, and you'll
get the covers "cut out" so the Tefillin fit perfectly.
There are at least four kinds of baytim available, of different
sizes and "qualities" -- from cow, lamb, etc. Different levels
of workmanship. Final price will vary from about $250 to
upwards of $1000. for a "deluxe" set.
3) You _can_ buy from Eli (Israel Book Store). If you do so,
make sure that you get the (money-back) guarantee that they're
not posul. You should have them inspected right away, and take
appropriate action. (Most inspectors charge $20.00 if the
Tefillin are good, and charge _nothing_ if they're posul, so
you're not in for a very nasty surprise.)
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