What script (ktav) is used for this specific item — Beis Yosef, Ari, or Vellish — and how do I know which one matches their minhag?

The ktav used for each item is listed in the product details. Beis Yosef is generally used by Ashkenazim, Ari is commonly used by Chassidim and others who follow the Arizal, and Vellish is generally used by Sephardim. If you have a family or community minhag, we recommend following it. If you are unsure which ktav is right for you, contact us and we will be happy to help.

Before I buy, can I see who wrote this specific item, what kind of klaf it’s on, and what checks it went through?

Yes. We believe you should know what you are buying. Every listing includes a photo representative of the approximate quality level, and our Quality Guide details the halachic and workmanship differences between each level. For tefillin, we also provide detailed information about the battim and retzuos, including their certifications and relevant chumros. All STaM is inspected twice in addition to computer scanning. If you would like more information about a specific sofer, the klaf, or want to see live photos of the actual item before purchasing, reach out to us on WhatsApp and we’ll be happy to provide them.