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Vaad Mishmeres Sta”M, Established in 1976
Founded by הרב הגאון שמואל הלוי ואזנר זצ"ל
Established to ensure the kashrus of Sta”m for Klal Yisroel with the mission of ensuring that everyone has access to kosher Sta”m products.
The Challenge of Purchasing STa”M
With the growth of Klal Yisroel, the demand for Sta”m (Sifrei Torah, Tefillin, and Mezuzos) has significantly increased. Despite the recent improvements in quality, many Sta”m products don’t meet halachic standards. The main challenges include:
- Lack of Supervision: The Sta”m industry lacks organized oversight like other industries.
- Sofrim Accountability: Sofrim are not being held accountable to ensure their writing complies with halacha.
- Complexity of Halacha: The intricacies of halachos related to Sta”m make it difficult for Sofrim to adhere to all the requirements.
Consumer Awareness: Many consumers are unaware of how to verify if the Sta”m they are purchasing meets halachic standards.
The VMS Solution
Vaad Mishmeres Sta”ms solution is to provide a pekuach (oversight) on Sta”m products which will indicate on each certification that is given on a Sta”m product that it’s:
- Background Checked: The Sofer was vetted according to the criteria set by the Vaad Mishmeres Sta”m.
- Halachic Testing: The Sofer was tested on his halachic knowledge by Rabbonim of Vaad Mishmeres Sta”m and has a valid Teudah.
- Handwriting Analysis: The Sofers writing was analyzed and approved by two expert magihim and Rabbonim.
- Confirmation: Sofrim signed that he wrote according to halacha.
- Computerized Checks: The Sta’m product was checked using the computer system for any added, missing, or substituted letters.
There will then be a continuous monitoring of Sofrim to ensure they consistently adhere to the halachic standards set by Vaad Mishmeres Sta”m.
Our Policy
VMS operates independently and does not engage in the commercial sale of Torah Scrolls, Mezuzos, or Tefillin and focuses exclusively on halachic requirements with unwavering integrity.
Helping Sofrim
In recent years, under the guidance of Harav Moshe Sha'ul Klein, VMS has expanded its activities, emphasizing the importance of Sofrim certification. Public awareness campaigns and rabbinical assemblies have been organized to support this effort. Within just six months, VMS successfully certified over 500 Sofrim. To facilitate this process, the number of testing locations has been increased, along with the involvement of over 20 Rabbonim in 12 cities across Israel.
- Shiurim: VMS has launched numerous shiurim (lessons) on STa”M halachos, with over 50 series initiated in 2023 and an additional 75 planned for 2024 (many already underway).
- Batei Horaah: VMS has established Batei Horaah (halachic guidance centers) where Sofrim can receive immediate answers and expert advice. Current locations include Yerushalayim, Beit Shemesh, Kiryat Sefer, Beitar, and Bnei Brak.
- Kollelim: Night Kollelim (study groups) are operated by VMS to help Sofrim enhance their knowledge and reliability, with 250 Sofrim having completed the learning cycle.
Free Stam Consultation
We are here to help educate Klal Yisroel on how to ensure that your purchase is kosher and certified.
We offer free consultations to educate you about your STa”M (Sifrei Torah, Tefillin, Mezuzos) purchase. Our experts will help you understand the value and halachic validity of your STa”M, ensuring you are fully informed about what you are receiving.
VMS Computer Check
The computer system of the Vaam Mishmeres Stam is the only trusted computer check of all the Gedolim
The History of Vaad Mishmeres Sta”m Computer Check
In 1976, Rabbi Dovid Leib Greenfield and Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu Granatstien established Vaad Mishmeres Sta”m (VMS) to certify Sofrim, Magihim, and educate the public on Sta”m. By 1988, VMS invested in developing a computer system to check Sta”m products for added, missing, or substituted letters, achieving nearly 100% accuracy by 1989.
In 1993, other organizations began developing their own computer programs for Sta”m. By 1994, the Eidah Hachareidis and leading Gedolim set restrictions on computer checking, ensuring it was only for identifying missing, added, or substituted letters, and did not replace human inspection. VMS was granted exclusive backing by all the Gedolim at that time for computer checks.
In 1996, new programs entered the market, claiming to aid Sofrim without commercial intent. By 1998, a new program also assessed the Halachic status of letter shapes. However, these programs were sold widely, leading to misuse by individuals lacking knowledge of Sta”m Halachos. This resulted in inaccurate checks and a shift in responsibility from Sofrim to computer systems.
Current Issues and Impact
The proliferation of these programs led to significant issues. Sofrim increasingly relied on computers, neglecting the Halachic responsibilities and making persistent errors. The programs' limitations in accurately detecting issues, particularly with letter shapes, further compounded these problems. The result was a system wide reliance on a flawed technology with lack of comprehensive oversight.
Status Today
Today, many believe that computer checks alone can ensure a Sefer Torah's kashrus, but this is misleading. Many Sta’m products which were previously deemed kosher by these computer checks have been found to be problematic upon re-evaluation. The Vaad Mishmeres Sta”m continues to emphasize the need to use a proper computer check which does NOT take over the need for your Sta’m product to be manually checked by a Magiah.