The Rebbe’s Vision Fulfilled: Chabad Rov Appointed to Global STaM Authority

Rov Menachem Mendel Kahn, Rov for Safrus on the Crown Heights Beis Din, joins the Vaad HaRabbonim of Mishmeres STaM HaOlami—marking the first time a Lubavitcher Rov holds this position.

17 Jan 2026, 22:57 by COLlive Editor · COLlive

By COLlive Staff

Nearly fifty years after the Rebbe sent a personal financial contribution to support Mishmeres STaM, the organization dedicated to safeguarding the kashrus of tefillin and mezuzos, a milestone has been reached: a Lubavitcher Rov now serves as a member of its global Vaad HaRabbonim.

Rov Menachem Mendel Kahn, recently appointed by the Crown Heights Beis Din as Rov for Safrus, has been named to the Vaad HaRabbonim of Mishmeres STaM HaOlami. For the first time, Chabad sofrim and magiyim can be certified under Vaad Mishmeres Stam — in accordance with the piskei dinim of Raboseinu Nesieinu.

A Legacy Three Generations Deep

The Chabad Rebbeim have always cared deeply about the quality of STaM throughout the world. This dedication stretches back generations, with each Rebbe investing enormous effort into ensuring that every Jew’s tefillin and mezuzos meet the highest standards of halacha.

The Frierdiker Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, was instrumental in the establishment of a global organization to oversee STaM quality—an effort that would eventually lead to the formation of Vaad Mishmeres STaM. Historical records in Yiddish newspapers from that era document the Rebbe Rayatz’s active involvement in strengthening oversight of sofrim in Europe shortly before the outbreak of World War II.

The Rebbe continued this mission with particular intensity. Following the tragic Ma’alot massacre in 5734 (1974), the Rebbe launched Mivtza Mezuzah, urging Jewish homes worldwide to ensure their mezuzos were kosher. This campaign reflected the Rebbe’s deep conviction that properly written mezuzos serve as a source of protection and blessing.

Rov Kahn has dedicated his life to this mission. As part of Mishmeres STaM’s operations in Eretz Yisroel and the United States, he has worked to prevent stumbling blocks and to promote the study and proper standards of sifrei Torah, tefillin, and mezuzos. In his capacity as Rov in Crown Heights, he has been closely involved in global efforts to apprehend producers of printed mezuzos and other STaM fraud.

The Rebbe’s Personal Support

In the spring of 5738 (1978), when the Rebbe was informed that Mishmeres STaM had successfully encouraged many homes in Toronto to upgrade from small, often non-kosher mezuzos to large, beautiful, mehadrin mezuzos, he responded with a remarkable letter of encouragement—and a personal contribution.

The Rebbe wrote:

“With gratitude regarding the improvements in matters of tefillin and mezuzos which you informed me of. May it be Hashem’s will that you continue to share such good news in the future, and may the merit of the many stand you in good stead. As the verse states (Tehillim 119:63): ‘A friend am I to all who fear You, and to those who observe [shomrei]…’ Please find attached my symbolic contribution. I will mention your activities at the resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe.”

The Rebbe’s reference to the verse—connecting “Shomrei” (those who guard) to “Shomrei STaM” (guardians of STaM)—demonstrated his deep appreciation for the organization’s holy work.

The Chasam Sofer’s Mandate

The requirement for proper certification for sofrim traces back to the Chasam Sofer’s introduction to Keses HaSofer, the foundational text for the laws of safrus. There, the Chasam Sofer issued a powerful directive that remains relevant today.

The Chasam Sofer writes that after reviewing the sefer and finding it to be “beautifully arranged from beginning to end, with everything aligned to halacha according to the true path,” he issued a call to action:

“From this day forward, no one should grant permission or written certification to any sofer unless he is proficient in this sefer and fluent in its content… A sofer who is not proficient in this sefer should be disqualified from his craft. And he should review it periodically as needed… For the need is great, and allowing unqualified sofrim is a great stumbling block.”

This requirement—that a sofer must not only learn the halachos but be tested and receive formal certification (known as a Ksav Kabbalah)—has guided the standards of safrus for nearly two hundred years.

A Posek Steeped in Chabad Tradition

Rov Kahn brings a unique combination of deep Torah scholarship and practical expertise to his new role. From his early years in yeshiva, he set himself a goal: to locate and compile the halachic rulings of all the Chabad Rebbeim on every topic in Shulchan Aruch. Today, he serves as a Rov Moreh Halacha on the Crown Heights Beis Din.

Several years ago, he published Keses HaSofer im Piskei HaRav VehaTzemach Tzedek, a comprehensive compilation of the rulings of the Chabad Rebbeim on safrus. The sefer quickly became an essential reference for Chabad sofrim worldwide and has since gone through three editions. With the publication of Rov Kahn’s sefer, he became the address for shailos in all areas of STaM, with questions flowing to him from near and far.

This reputation has led to significant partnerships. Rov Kahn recently traveled to Eretz Yisroel, where he met with HaRov Hagaon Moshe Shaul Klein, the renowned posek and talmid muvhak of the Shevet HaLevi, to discuss the state of STaM in America and around the world. Their conversation covered various matters related to global education and other efforts to improve the quality of STaM worldwide. The meeting concluded with an agreement to launch Vaad Mishmeres STaM Chabad.

Rov Kahn also met with HaRov Moshe Pinchas Zander, one of the leaders of Mishmeres STaM, to discuss practical halachic rulings from the Alter Rebbe and the Tzemach Tzedek on how to produce STaM according to the Rebbe’s standard of “Kosher Bli Kol Pikpuk.” Rov Zander was deeply impressed with the dedication in Chabad—both in Crown Heights and in Ashdod—to producing a level of STaM that is truly “Lezchus HaRabim.”

HaRov Yosef Yeshaya Braun, Mara D’Asra and member of the Crown Heights Beis Din, noted that “Rov Kahn’s appointment represents the fulfillment of a long time vision. Now Chabad sofrim can receive training and certification according to the piskei halacha of our Rebbeim.”

Rov Kahn’s dedication to broad consensus across the halachic world has been a hallmark of his approach. He traveled to Bnei Brak to present his sefer to leading poskim and received their warm approbations. His work has been widely accepted among Chabad Chassidim, Gerer Chassidim and other Chassidim alike, and even among sofrim who follow different halachic traditions.

Rov Kahn himself spoke about what this appointment means to him: “It is a tremendous zechus and chiyuv to serve in this capacity. The Rebbe’s vision was always that every Yid should have tefillin and mezuzos, kosher bli kol pikpuk. To play a role in actualizing that vision is a humbling responsibility.”

A Call to Action

With this historic appointment, several opportunities are now available to the Crown Heights community and beyond:

For Sofrim and Magi’im: Every sofer and mageiah working in the Crown Heights neighborhood is encouraged to come get tested and receive proper certification. As the Chasam Sofer insisted nearly two centuries ago, a sofer must be tested and hold a valid Ksav Kabbalah. This certification is now available through the Crown Heights Beis Din.

Weekly Shiurim: Two regular shiurim in safrus have been established in Crown Heights, with sofrim from around the world participating via Zoom:

Monday evenings at 8:00 PM at Chevra Shas (followed by Mariv)
Thursday afternoons at 2:00 PM at Shain Shul (following the 1:45 mincha)

For Zoom information, email Keseshorav@gmail.com.

Shailos in STaM: Community members with questions on any matter related to STaM are invited to bring their shailos to the Crown Heights Beis Din Wednesday evenings between 5-7pm, or call 718-604-8000 ext. 3. Shailos can also be emailed to Keseshorav@gmail.com.

For the General Public: When purchasing tefillin, mezuzos, or a sefer Torah, always buy from reputable sellers who employ sofrim holding valid certification. A Ksav Kabbalah ensures that the sofer has been tested on the relevant halachos and meets the standards established by Raboseinu Nesieinu and upheld by gedolim and poskim throughout the generations.

The Rebbe’s investment in Mishmeres STaM nearly fifty years ago has now come full circle. With a Chabad Rov serving on its global Vaad, the path is clear for every sofer to receive proper training and certification—and for every Yid to fulfill the mitzvos of tefillin and mezuzah with STaM of the highest standard.

To inquire about testing, certification, or for shailos, contact the Crown Heights Beis Din at 718-604-8000 ext. 3 or email Keseshorav@gmail.com.

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