STAM 101: Klaf

STAM is written on klaf, which could be made from the skin of any kosher animal (but not fish). Ritual slaughter is not required. The skins must be processed in a solution of lime or gall-nuts for 4 days or at least until the hairs fall off. The processing must be done lishma – the person putting the skins in the lime-bath must say that he is doing it “for the sanctity of a Sefer Torah (or Tefilin, Mezuza, etc.)”. A Sefer Torah is generally made from 62 or 63 sheets of klaf, each of which is the skin of one complete animal.

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