HaSOFER Rabbi Moshe Flumenbaum, zt"l

Rav, mohel, shochet, certified shatnez examiner, formerly attending rabbinical authority in the beis hora'ah of Rav Moshe Halberstam, zt"l in Jerusalem: these are just some of the areas of practical halacha l'maaseh in which Rabbi Moshe Flumenbaum, zt"l specialized during his long career serving the Jewish community. But of all these, his greatest love was working with STa"M, Scrolls, Tefillin, and Mezuzot. He specialized in checking, producing and educating the public throughout the world about the mitzvot of STa"M for over 45 years.

Rav Flumenbaum, zt"l passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in March 2024. His absence saddens all of us who knew him. His son Netanel continues to operate HaSOFER, providing all the same products and services.

Rabbi Flumenbaum, zt"l received smicha in 1981 from Mishmeres STa"M and Rav Shmuel Wosner, zt"l, with additional confirmation from HaRav Mordechai Friedlander, zt"l.

Originally from Vineland, New Jersey, he opened the first Jewish bookstore in Highland Park, NJ in 1980. At the same time he was studying to be a sofer STa"M. In 1981 he was a member of the first graduating class of Vaad Mishmeres STa"M in Brooklyn, NY. Rabbi Flumenbaum, zt"l was very active in Vaad Mishmeres STa"M, holding the positions of Director of Public Education Projects and chief examiner for the state of New Jersey.

Rabbi Flumenbaum, zt"l also valued the benefits to be gained from secular education. He received both Bachelor's and Masters Degrees in Adult and Continuing Education from the School of Education of Rutgers University.

In 1982 Rabbi Flumenbaum, zt"l and his family moved to Jerusalem's Har Nof neighborhood. Here he continued his advanced studies of STa"M and received additional safrus certification from Rabbi Shamai K'hat HaCohen Gross, Rav of Mishmeres Hakodesh for STa"M and Mo"tz of K'hal Machzikei HaDas in Eretz Israel. HaSOFER, the store he opened in the center of Jerusalem is also certified, being the only safrus business possessing a current recommendation letter from Mishmeres Hakodesh.

Rabbi Flumenbaum, zt"l was involved in much more than just writing, producing and selling STa"M. Throughout his long career in STa"M he put very strong emphasis on educating the public, including both religious and non-religious Jews, as well as non-Jews. He taught the kashrus requirements of STa"M and the complicated processes involved in producing kosher l'mihadrin tefillin, mezuzot and scrolls. He believed strongly that every consumer of STa"M should know what they are buying and using and know how to properly maintain and preserve them. Among his educational projects were:

  • authoring numerous articles on topics in STa"M
  • appearing on radio programs and lecturing in Israel, the US, Europe and the Soviet Union
  • leading a constant stream of groups on tours of the HaSOFER facility to learn how STa"M items are made
  • educating the public about consumer protection issues in STa"M and fighting against fraud

Yehi zichro baruch.

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