ט״ז סיון ה׳תשפ״ו | June 1, 2026
Badatz Announces Mandatory Registration for Sofrim, Magihim
The Beis Din of Crown Heights has issued a formal announcement calling on all sofrim and magihim operating within the community to be officially registered with the Badatz. Only those registered are permitted to write or proofread in Crown Heights.
The Beis Din of Crown Heights has issued a formal announcement calling on all sofrim and magihim (safrus proofreaders) operating within the community to be officially registered with the Badatz.
In a letter dated Thursday, 12 Sivan 5786, and signed by members of the Beis Din, Rabbi Avraham Osdoba and Rabbi Yosef Braun, the notice clarifies that, in accordance with a kol koreh originally issued in 5747 (1987) by the Badatz, “all sofrim and magihim working within the neighborhood must present proof of qualification and complete registration with the Beis Din.”
The announcement states explicitly that only those who are properly registered are permitted to write or proofread in Crown Heights.
The development comes amid increased attention to standards in the field, with concerns having been raised about questionable and potentially invalid tefillin and mezuzos appearing on the market, including within Crown Heights.
The new system is intended to maintain communal standards in the production and checking of tefillin, mezuzos, and sifrei Torah, ensuring that work of such sensitivity is carried out only under proper supervision.
For registration, sofrim and magihim may appear at the Badatz offices to register with Rabbi Menachem Mendel Kahn on Wednesdays between 5–7 PM.
COMMENTS
Are the sofrim going to need to pay to register? That’s only going to hike up the already exorbitant prices… 🙁
You might as well take mud and put it on your head everyday to pray with because passul tefilin on your head is the same thing I would rather pay a drop more to have the real deal
There is no charge for registering
What about all the retailers reselling sta”m from local sofrim or especially from elsewhwere? Isn’t this the major issue? Shouldn’t every seller need certification for quality control?
BH. It should be easy to seal mezuzos and Tefilin in a bag. Obviously not as easy with a sefer Torah. A responsible seller can seal with a wire that is sealed. Understandably respectfully.
Exorbitant pricing – consider the care necessary in writing each letter and other halachos and human condition of error possibility that take time. If the sofer is not wealthy he needs to earn his livelyhood.
Btw it offers protection. Consider the cost of hiring a guard to protect you and family and property. Of course the Mitzvah is a Mitzvah of Hashem Yisbarach.
As a sofer (outside Crown Heights) I’ve personally benefited from being able to ask Rav Kahn shailos and join his weekly safrus shiurim. After many years of not really having a Rav to turn to for ongoing guidance in safrus, having someone knowledgeable and accessible has been invaluable. Yasher koach to Rav Kahn for his dedication to sofrim around the world.
Many writers will not pass the exams as required by the Laws. There will be problems, but this is normal. Knowledge of Halacha according to Shulchan Aruch will lead to misunderstanding, and the work is not easy, the price will go up.