The Beis Din of Crown Heights has once again sounded the alarm over Tefillin and Mezuzos written by Yaakov Shlomo Itzkovitz of Zinkov, Ukraine, warning that items written by this sofer, whose work was previously deemed questionable, are still circulating in the marketplace.
In a public letter released Friday, 1 Tammuz 5785, the rabbonim of the Beis Din expressed concern that mezuzos and tefillin written by Mr. Itzkovitz continue to be found in the possession of STaM (Sifrei Torah, Tefillin, and Mezuzos) dealers and magiim (scribal examiners), despite prior warnings. The letter emphasized that those entrusted with maintaining the sanctity of STaM are responsible to ensure that the public does not unknowingly use invalid items, which could result in serious halachic consequences.
To assist the public in identifying potentially problematic items, the Beis Din announced a dedicated weekly time slot for verification. Every Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., individuals may bring mezuzos and tefillin to the Beis Din offices to compare the handwriting with that of Mr. Itzkovitz. Those wishing to bring items must first call the Beis Din during those hours and provide the names of those coming in.
“This is a serious matter,” the letter stated. “We hereby notify the public to urgently act with anyone known or suspected to have mezuzos or tefillin written by this sofer—so that it will be possible to determine whether they are indeed his writing, and whether the items are kosher or invalid, as was stated in the previous letter.”
The letter was signed by Rabbi Avraham Osdoba and Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun, senior members of the Crown Heights Beis Din.
{Matzav.com}