Reply To: Where and How To Learn Safrus

torahbob: I am a sofer (not certified – I mostly write and illustrate non-STaM stuff like kesubbos, smichah certificates, parshas haketores, and other artistic work). It is of course important to learn the basic seforim, but it is equally important to find a good experienced sofer that is willing to teach you the technical points. In many ways, safrus is much like the skilled artisan trades of yesteryear – to become really proficient, you need to apprentice. Good techniques and the basic mechanics of how to do this kind of work well is passed from mouth to mouth, form teacher to student.