SquareTablets™ Institute
Our institute is headed by Rabbi Shneur Guri shlita, regional rabbi of the Hevel HaTa'anachim, Israel, and a foremost authority in STaM (Sifrei Torah, Tefillin, and Mezuzot).
Writing
Our sofrim (scribes) undergo a personal, face-to-face examination by the rabbi. In addition, they are required to submit a handwriting sample for evaluation and for future comparison with every mezuzah or parashah they provide.
Beyond the halachic examination, ongoing quality control is performed on the mezuzot and tefillin parashiyot. As part of the scribe evaluation, we examine the source of the parchment, the ink, where and with whom the scribe studied, the type of quill used, and as many relevant details as possible.
After the kashrut inspection, items are graded according to beauty and level of enhancement. The Institute works only with mezuzot and parashiyot of fully good quality, written in a clean and elegant script and free of any halachic doubts. There are two quality levels of Sephardic script, two levels of Arizal script, and mezuzot and parashiyot in the Admor HaZaken script.
In all laws of letter formation and spacing of sections, we are meticulous to follow the Chabad tradition in the Arizal script, and the Shulchan Aruch in the Sephardic script.
Proofreading
All magii'm (proofreaders) at the Institute are experts with many years of experience. They undergo a personal, face-to-face examination by the rabbi. In addition to the halachic test, there is ongoing supervision of the mezuzot and tefillin parashiyot and of the quality of the proofreading.
Every mezuzah and every parasha undergoes inspection by an expert proofreader, as well as verification using computer software.
The software includes checks of letter shapes, adhesions, and of course missing or extra letters, etc. The software also includes two significant innovations:
1. Direct connection to the rabbi - A system that connects the proofreader directly to the rabbi. Any question that arises and causes uncertainty can be sent automatically to the rabbi, who responds directly. The rabbi can access the software at any time to see everything the proofreader has done, including whether an issue was marked incorrectly or a problem was overlooked.
2. Mezuzah identification - Generation of a digital identification for each mezuzah. The purchaser can identify the mezuzah and receive its full history: the scribe, the proofreader, the seller, the notes from the initial inspection, and whether those notes were corrected. This takes transparency and accountability to another level.
Tefillin Boxes (Batim)
In the STaM market there are generally four types of batim:
1. Simple batim, which according to most authorities are completely invalid.
2. Enhanced simple batim, which are kosher but can easily become invalid. Even a fall onto a table can disqualify them.
3. "Mostly separated" batim, made from the hide of a large animal but of inferior quality. To maintain the square shape, glue is added between the compartments of the head tefillin. Regarding these tefillin, authorities debate the minimum required measurement that must remain without glue. In practice, after testing with several manufacturers, it is not possible to guarantee the area that remains separated after gluing.
4. Fully separated thick batim, made from the hide of a large animal and completely separated.
We use only fully separated batim, from manufacturers and factories that were inspected by the Institute's team and approved by the rabbi, who personally visited the factories. The batim are also inspected at the Institute to ensure that they are truly separated and that there is no concern of artificial grooves.
Straps & Assembly
We use only handmade straps with the hechsher of Rabbi Lazar, shlita, or straps with the hechsher of Rabbi Landa, shlita.
Insertion of the parashiyot and the closing of the tefillin are performed only within the Institute, by a God-fearing professional. This ensures that the batim, straps, sinew for stitching, and all laws of sewing are fully observed according to halachah.
Authenticity & Tradition
Expert scribes personally examined and supervised by leading STaM authorities
Meticulous Quality Assurance
Every item inspected by expert proofreaders and verified with advanced computer software
Profound Spiritual Significance
Fully separated batim and handmade straps ensuring the highest halachic standards
"All tefillin and mezuzot sold under the SquareTablets™ Institute are subject to strict supervision by leading STaM experts, ensuring every item meets the highest standards of kashrut and craftsmanship."
