DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 7.52 MB)
The Crown on Top of Letters in the Sefer Torah: Which letters Receive Tagin?

The rules of putting Tagin (crowns) on the letters of a Sefer Torah can be summed up with three mnemonic devices, which are Rosheh Tevot (acronyms).

The first teaches the seven letters that require the three Tagin adorning their top. Those letters are known by the acronym of "ShATNeZ GeS"-the Shin, Ayin, Tet, Nun, Zayin, Gimmel and Sadi.

Second, there is a custom to add Tagin to an additional six letters represented by the acronym: "BeDeK HaYaH"-Bet, Dalet, Kuf and Het, Yud, Heh. However, these letters only receive one crown, not three. Also, the crown is not placed at the left edge of the letter; rather it is more towards the center of the letter. Otherwise, the extra line on top may distort the letter to appear like a different letter. For example, if the Bet would receive a Tag at the far left, it may appear to be a Lamed.

The acronym "MeLECheT SoFeR" teaches that the letter Mem, Lamed, Alef, Chaf, Tav and Samech, Vav Peh, Resh do not get any Tagin whatsoever.

The Halacha of the Tagin is a double edged sword. On one hand, Maran rules that if one omitted them altogether the Sefer is not Pasul. However, if they were inserted, but done wrong, it can invalidate the Sefer. For example, if the Tag was not connected to the letter, it is tantamount to an irrelevant illustration in the middle of the Sefer Torah which is invalid. Thus, it’s better not to do them, than to do them wrong.

There is a question which arises regarding the Tagin in Tefilin and Mezuzot which must be written "KiSidran"-in the order of the Torah, as opposed to the Sefer Torah which can be written in any order (i.e. Sefer Shemot can be written before Bereshit and then sewn together). Is it permissible to complete the writing of the letters of the Mezuza and Tefilin and then go back and add the Tagin? Does this constitute a violation of the Halacha of "KiSidran"? The Poskim write that it is permitted to do so, since the letters are already there and the writing is already kosher.

SUMMARY

It is permissible to go back and add the Tagin after the writing of the Tefilin and Mezuza has already been completed.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Delaying a Berit Mila if the Child is Jaundiced
If a Berit Mila Was Performed at Night, or Before the Eighth Day
If a Mohel Performing a Berit on Shabbat Cannot Perform the Mesisa
May a Mohel Perform a Circumcision For the First Time on Shabbat?
On Which Days of the Week May a Delayed Berit Mila be Performed?
Performing a Berit Mila on Friday After Accepting Shabbat; Performing a Brit Mila After Sundown
Scheduling a Berit for a Child Born After Sundown on Friday Afternoon
Walking Beyond the “Tehum Shabbat” to Perform a Berit on Shabbat or Yom Tob
May Two Different Mohalim Participate in the Same Berit on Shabbat?
Scheduling a Berit Mila for a Baby Born on Shabbat or Yom Tov, or Right After Sundown on Ereb Shabbat or Ereb Yom Tob
Performing a Berit Mila on Shabbat on a Child Whose Father is Not Jewish
Some Laws Relevant to the Sandak at a Brit Milah
The Presence of Eliyahu Ha'navi at a Berit Mila
Designating a Chair for Eliyahu Hanabi at a Berit Mila
A Brit Milah Should Be Performed As Early As Possible In The Morning
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found