Ask the Rabbi
- Torah and Jewish Thought
- Observing Mitzvot & Repentence
- Principles of Mitzva Observance
Question
Dear Rabbi, are ktav Ari sifrei Torah, tefillin and mezuzot not lechatchilah to use for non-Chassidim? And does ktav Beit Yosef invalidate ktav Ari? And vice-versa?
Do you know if Rav Kook ever dealt with this?
Thank you very much for you time and help.
Answer
Rav Kook [in Orach Mishpat 8] writes it is Lechatchila to follow ones family tradition regarding the Ktav of Tefilin, however Bediavad can fulfill his obligation by wearing the other Ktav.
Similarly a mixture of Sephardi and Ashkenazi writing does not invalidate the Tefilin [ibid 7]
Rav kook refers to Askenaz and Sephard how much more so to Ar"i and Beit Yosef that have only minor differences.

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