Klaf
Encyclopedia
Klaf is the designation given a particular piece of skin. The Talmudic definition includes both the form of the skin and the way its 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 is made of the specially prepared skin of a kosher animal - goat
, cattle
, or deer
. Rabbinic literature addresses three forms of skin: Gevil
, consisting of the full, un-split hide, klaf, and dukhsustus
which are the two halves of the full hide. Rabbinic literature is divided upon which is the inner and which is the outer of the two halves. (This dispute maybe of very little practical significance as the main schools of thought today on each side are in agreement over the identity of the klaf with the only dispute being whether Duchsustus is the skin layer on the outside or the membrane on the inside, with writing on duchsustus having fallen out of all common practice centuries ago. However there is a small group which breaks with the tradition and understands that the Klaf is the thin outer layer with the Duchsustus being the thicker, inner layer.) In any event in agreement is that klaf can only be written upon on its own inner layer and Duchsustus
on its own outer layer. For each of sifrei torah, tefilin, and mezuzos there are different guidelines and restrictions of which form of the skin may be used i.e. tefilin can only be made from klaf.
The legally required method of cleaning and preparing klaf 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 apple
s). 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 klaf 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.
In talmudic times klaf was primarily only used for tefilin and at times mezuzos however since the 9th or 10th centuries it has become more widespread to write Sifrei Torah on klaf however, even today, there are still groups who continue to adhere to the ancient prescription described in the Talmud
, and continue to write on gevil
.
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 rabbi
nical supervision, and the variety, quality and quantity is increasing.
Rabbeinu Tam
Rabbeinu Tam , born Jacob ben Meir, was one of the most renowned French Tosafists and a foremost halachic authority of his generation...
(12th century Tosafist it is primarily used to refer to parchment or vellum. It is one of the materials upon which a Sofer
Sofer (scribe)
A Sofer, Sopher Sofer SeTaM, or Sofer ST"M is a Jewish scribe who can transcribe Torah scrolls and other religious writings such as those used in Tefillin and Mezuzot.By simple definition, a sofer is a copyist, but in their religious role in Judaism they...
writes certain Jewish liturgical and ritual documents.
Klaf is made of the specially prepared skin of a kosher animal - goat
Goat
The domestic goat is a subspecies of goat domesticated from the wild goat of southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the Bovidae family and is closely related to the sheep as both are in the goat-antelope subfamily Caprinae. There are over three hundred distinct breeds of...
, cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
, or deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
. Rabbinic literature addresses three forms of skin: Gevil
Gevil
Gevil is animal hide that has been prepared as a writing material in Jewish scribal documents, in particular a Sefer Torah .-Definition of gevil:...
, consisting of the full, un-split hide, klaf, and dukhsustus
Duchsustus
Duchsustus is the name of a type of parchment used for religious writings in Judaism. It is originally a Greek word and one of three Talmudic names for animal skin. The other two are kelaf and gevil. The meanings of these terms, however, are the subject of controversy in Jewish law...
which are the two halves of the full hide. Rabbinic literature is divided upon which is the inner and which is the outer of the two halves. (This dispute maybe of very little practical significance as the main schools of thought today on each side are in agreement over the identity of the klaf with the only dispute being whether Duchsustus is the skin layer on the outside or the membrane on the inside, with writing on duchsustus having fallen out of all common practice centuries ago. However there is a small group which breaks with the tradition and understands that the Klaf is the thin outer layer with the Duchsustus being the thicker, inner layer.) In any event in agreement is that klaf can only be written upon on its own inner layer and Duchsustus
Duchsustus
Duchsustus is the name of a type of parchment used for religious writings in Judaism. It is originally a Greek word and one of three Talmudic names for animal skin. The other two are kelaf and gevil. The meanings of these terms, however, are the subject of controversy in Jewish law...
on its own outer layer. For each of sifrei torah, tefilin, and mezuzos there are different guidelines and restrictions of which form of the skin may be used i.e. tefilin can only be made from klaf.
The legally required method of cleaning and preparing klaf has been altered over the centuries. During Talmudic times, salt
Salt
In chemistry, salts are ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. They are composed of cations and anions so that the product is electrically neutral...
-water and barley
Barley
Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods...
(or flours) were sprinkled on the skins which were then soaked in the juice of afatsim (gall nuts, or Oak apple
Oak apple
Oak apple is the common name for a large, round, vaguely apple-like gall commonly found on many species of oak. Oak apples range in size from 2-5cm. Oak apples are caused by chemicals injected by the larva of certain kinds of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. The adult female wasp lays single...
s). 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
Sofer (scribe)
A Sofer, Sopher Sofer SeTaM, or Sofer ST"M is a Jewish scribe who can transcribe Torah scrolls and other religious writings such as those used in Tefillin and Mezuzot.By simple definition, a sofer is a copyist, but in their religious role in Judaism they...
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 klaf 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.
In talmudic times klaf was primarily only used for tefilin and at times mezuzos however since the 9th or 10th centuries it has become more widespread to write Sifrei Torah on klaf however, even today, there are still groups who continue to adhere to the ancient prescription described in the Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
, and continue to write on gevil
Gevil
Gevil is animal hide that has been prepared as a writing material in Jewish scribal documents, in particular a Sefer Torah .-Definition of gevil:...
.
The parchment must be prepared "for the sake of heaven" (i.e. with the intent of performing a Divine act
Mitzvah
The primary meaning of the Hebrew word refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God...
) 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
Tefillin
Tefillin also called phylacteries are a set of small black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah, which are worn by observant Jews during weekday morning prayers. Although "tefillin" is technically the plural form , it is loosely used as a singular as...
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 rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
nical supervision, and the variety, quality and quantity is increasing.