Inside Stam; An insider reveals the answers to all the questions you should ask when purchasing or maintaining Tefillin, Mezuzos, Megillos, Sifrei Torah and Nevi'im

I bought Inside STA"M not as a guide to buy a Torah Scroll, or other Hebrew scribal items, but with a mind to learn more about the practice scribal arts and production of items themselves. I have a background in calligraphy, and paleography, and art including Judaic art. But this book can introduce anyone to the subject and I am sure that anyone serious about their Jewish faith can benefit from the book as they seek the ritually produced items produced by a competent and conscious scribe for which these are made in a holy act. But they are also made in a very specific way to a very demanding standard and this book reveals just how complicated this process must be.It takes the approach of answering questions gleaned from real situations that have arisen in the experience of the rabbi that you might have, 153 of them. There is a section with a glossary, bibliography, a Gedolim Cited (religious expert Authorities Cited), and a general index. For Hebrew readers there is a Mafte'akh ("Key"), and Milu'im ("Testimonials" ?) section.I like the information very much and to this novice in the subject it is impressive. If the Judaica items you consider, a Sefer Torah (a Torah scroll used in the synagogue), a set of tefillin (called phylacteries by some, worn on the arm and head during certain prayers), a mezuza (a small "scroll" /parchment encased in a ornamental holder and placed at entries), a megilla (a smaller scroll with passages related to Purim), and scrolls featuring Nevi'im (Prophets) then Rabbi Reuvain's book can be very helpful. It let's you get a sense of why these can be quite expensive; but it also attempts to inform you of problems which can cause you to spend that money on substandard items and work.The book I searched for but almost simultaneously it was recommended by a working sofer (scribe) who is no slump himself. It was his first recommendation.I have one problem with the book and it is very aggravating. It could be a printing or other book design problem, but the photos that appear in the book can be too dark. There are text photos that are fine and helpful. Yet you are left with the constant desire to improve them since the information was so important to me. Perhaps being able to examine your copy before purchase may alleviate this, but buying online may leave you with a copy and complaint like mine. If another reviewer might take a look at a copy prior to purchase, information regarding this would be very helpful. The photo matter was why the book lacks a star in my estimation; otherwise, it's a 5 star book. I love it because it's so empowering for a subject that doesn't even come to mind for many people.

Extremely well done. Imagine spending many years being a sofer and then researching all the important topics until you know more than any one out there. Then spending years compiling and masterfully presenting this information in a way that a layman can understand. That is exactly what the author has done. This sefer is extremely well researched and in a straightforward easy to read manner it presents all the concepts and gives a very clear picture of what should and what actually happens in the world of Stam. I did not know the first thing about stam before I opened this sefer, and truthfully I didn't even know how much my lack of knowledge compromised my previous purchases. Now, two hours later, I feel like I know more than many sofrim - unless they read this book, which I am sure many did by know. It is a must-read for anyone who ever purchased or is considering the purchase of tefillin, mezuzos, or sifrei torah.

Great information.

Very comprehensive

great book

Truly amazing

Any Jew that has had to choose in purchase Tefillin and Mezuzos knows that it's not an easy task. Even the most seasoned buyer may in fact not know what he is looking for. For example, an extremely nice Mezuzah or pair of Tefillin can have one tiny mistake that can ruin an otherwise-perfectly good Mezuzah or pair of Tefillin. On the other hand, a not-so-nice Mezuzah can cost half the amount as a very nice one and be more Kosher! What exactly is Mehudar, L'Chatchila and B'Dieved? What are the differences between Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin? How many Sofrei Stam are "frum" but far from "ehrliche"? How many "shop around" when asking Shailos? How many even bother to ask Shailos, choosing instead to take matters into their own hands? Should you choose Ktav from a Yirei Shamayim or a highly-experienced Sofer that might not have the same amount of Yiras Shamayim as the one that has a lesser quality of writing? Believe it or not, there are arguments for both sides!In "Inside Stam," Rabbi Reuven Mendlowitz, an American Talmid Chacham living in Israel, explains with amazing clarity the ins and outs of Sifrei Torah, Tefillin and Mezuzos. I very recently just bought the book from Seforim Warehouse in Toronto for $26.99 and already feel that I got my money's worth - in fact, it may have been a bargain considering the price of high-gloss English Sefarim. The book is 439 pages long and laid out in a question-answer format of around 75 of the most frequently asked questions a Sofer Stam gets from a layman. It has very clear high-resolution photographs of Tefillin, Mezuzos, as well as containing almost every Rabbinic opinion you can think of, replete with pictures and diagrams. The style of writing is done in a "normal" Yeshivish-English format, which the author confessed to me that he worked very hard on making the writing style relateable to today's Yeshiva graduate. To which I say, Sh'Koyach!If you live anywhere in the United States feel free to purchase from Amazon.com. If you live in Toronto, Seforim Warehouse for sure has it, and perhaps other places as well - you should call first though before driving all the way down only to find that it's sold out. Amazon.ca currently doesn't have it on sale, so that's a bummer on Canadian customers.In my honest opinion I have yet to see any sefer, let alone a sefer on Stam, written to a level where literally anyone can gain a wealth of information and retain it long after finishing the book. It's definitely a must-have.

This is a tremendous resource. I highly recommend it for anyone preparing to buy tefillin.