How To Write Letters in a Sefer Torah, Tefillin, and Mezuzot

From Halachipedia

A Torah Scroll, Tefillin, and Mezuzot must be written by a competent God-fearing scribe. The calligraphy (Tzurat HaOtiot) is governed by rules that could render a poor quality script or writing invalid.

Specific Letters

Lamed

  1. One should be careful that the head of the Lamed does not enter the space in the middle of a Heh or Chet even if it doesn't touch the legs.[1]
  2. If the head of the Lamed juts into the space under a Dalet making it look like a Heh or under a Kaf and changes the appearance, some consider it invalid entirely. If it just begins to enter the space on the right, it's fine, but on the left is a discussion. Some say it depends if he drew the Lamed from top to bottom, thereby ruining the upper letter before the Lamed was done, as opposed to drawing it from bottom to top, which would complete the Lamed without giving the impression that it's part of the upper letter.[2]

Sources

  1. Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 32:28)
  2. Or LeTzion 2:3:6. See Yabia Omer 4 OC 6, cited in 9 OC 108:23.