Klaf

Klaf (or k'laf ) is the kosher form of parchment or vellum . It is the material on which a Sofer writes certain Jewish liturgical and ritual documents. Klaf is made of the specially prepared skin of a kosher animal - goat , cattle , or deer . The hide consists of gevil , the full, un-split hide; klaf , the outer, hairy layer; and dukhsustus . Only gevil and klaf is permitted to be used for holy writings. Dukhsustos is used for writing mezuza . The legally required method of cleaning and preparing gevil has been altered over the centuries. During Talmudic times, salt -water and barley (or flours) were sprinkled on the skins which were then soaked in the juice of afatsim ( gall nuts , or Oak apples ). Nowadays, most processors dip the skins in clear water for two days, and then soak them in limewater for nine days to remove the hair. When it is a hairless surface, the scribe stretches it on a wooden drying frame and scrapes it until it is dry. Creases are ironed out with presses. Then it is sanded until it becomes a flat, smooth sheet fit for writing. The reasons for the change in this process are lengthy and controversial. Today, a few Jewish scribes still prepare gevil in precise accordance with the Jewish Law. Some parchment (usually poor quality) is smeared with log , a chalky substance, to make it whiter. Occasionally this is only done on the reverse. Some scribes object to the use of log as it forms a barrier between the ink and the parchment. Because of modern processes, most parchment is now prepared to the ruling of klaf and used in that manner, i.e. written on the flesh side and not on the hair side. However, there are still groups who continue to adhere to the ancient prescription described in the Talmud , and continue to write on the hairy side of the full hide. The parchment must be prepared "for the sake of heaven" ( i.e. with the intent of performing a Divine act ) and the processor must make declare for what he is preparing it, as one cannot use k'laf destined for a lesser holiness ( kedusha kallah ) - e.g. a mezuzah to write tefillin or a Sefer Torah, which are weightier holiness ( kedusha chamurah ). If necessary, the scribe should state that he is preparing for the sake of a Sefer Torah but that he may change his mind if he wishes. Some believe that when a Jew is unable to prepare the parchment, then in exceptional circumstances, a non-Jew may prepare it. However, a Jew must stand over him, directing him in his work and stating that the preparation is for the sake of heaven. However, this issue is not universally accepted. Today there is a large amount of K'laf processed under rabbinical supervision, and the variety, quality and quantity is increasing.

Klaf or qelaf (Hebrew: קלף) is the designation given a particular piece of skin. The Talmudic definition includes both the form of the skin and the way it is processed, in particular that it must be tanned. Since the innovative ruling of Rabbeinu Tam (12th century Tosafist ) it is primarily used to refer to parchment or vellum . It is one of the materials upon which a Sofer writes certain Jewish liturgical and ritual documents.

Klaf - a Parchment with an Ink and quill Klaf or Qelaf ( ) is the designation given a particular piece of skin. The Talmudic definition includes both the form of the skin and the way it is processed, in particular that it must be tanned. Since the innovative ruling of Rabbeinu Tam (12th century Tosafist ) it is primarily used to refer to parchment or vellum . It is one of the materials upon which a Sofer writes certain Jewish liturgical and ritual documents.

Type of parchment For other uses, see KLAF (disambiguation) . Klaf - a parchment with an ink and quill Klaf or Qelaf ( qəlāf , "parchment") is the designation given a particular piece of skin. The Talmudic definition includes both the form of the skin and the way it is processed, in particular, that it must be tanned. Since the innovative ruling of Rabbeinu Tam (12th century Tosafist ) it is primarily used to refer to parchment or vellum . It is one of the materials upon which a sofer writes certain Jewish liturgical and ritual documents.

Type of parchment For other uses, see KLAF (disambiguation) . Klaf - a parchment with an ink and quill Klaf or Qelaf ( Hebrew : קְלָף ) is the designation given a particular piece of skin. The Talmudic definition includes both the form of the skin and the way it is processed, in particular, that it must be tanned. Since the innovative ruling of Rabbeinu Tam (12th century Tosafist ) it is primarily used to refer to parchment or vellum . It is one of the materials upon which a sofer writes certain Jewish liturgical and ritual documents.