Tefillin

Tefillin (Hebrew: תפלין), also called phylacteries, are either of two boxes containing Biblical verses and black, leather straps attached to them which are used in rabbinic Jewish prayer. They are an essential part of morning prayer services, and are worn on a daily basis (except the Sabbath and festivals) by religious Jewish males above the age of 13 years. In this article the term “to lay tefillin” (from Yiddish tefillen leygen) will be used throughout but it is still correct to use “wear”.

Tefillin stems from interpretations of passages found in the Torah (five books of Moses), in Deuteronomy 6:8, 11:18; Exodus 13:9, 16. While these passages were interpreted literally by most commentators (in contrast to the interpretation of Karaite Judaism, Abraham ibn Ezra, and Rashbam on Exodus 13:9), the Rabbis held that the general law only was expressed in the Bible, the application and elaboration of it being entirely matters of the oral law. The earlier tannaim (rabbis of the Mishnah) described their views of the tefillin in the Mishnah and Talmud. (Talmud references: Menachot 34b; Zeb. 37b; Sanhedrin 4b; Rashi and Tosafot ad loc. )

Details of manufacture

Shel Yad

Tefillin consist of two leather boxes, one worn on the arm and known as "shel yad" ("belonging to the hand"), and the other worn on the head and known as "shel rosh" ("belonging to the head") . They are made of the skins of kosher animals.

According to traditional Jewish law, the boxes must be square; their height should be about the same length of the width; and they should be dyed black with a certified kosher dye. The boxes are fastened on the under side with square pieces of thick leather by twelve stitches, and are provided with loops at the ends, through which are passed leather straps. They are blackened on the outside. The threads are prepared from the sinews (tendons) of kosher animals.

The strap that is passed through the head-tefillin ends at the back of the head in a knot representing the letter ד; the one that is passed through the hand-tefillin is formed into a noose near the box and fastened in a knot in the shape of the letter י. The box containing the head-tefillin has on the outside the letter ש, both to the right (with three strokes: ש) and to the left, whereas the left side ש has an additional internal stroke; and this, together with the letters formed by the knots of the two straps, make up the letters of the Hebrew word Shaddai, one of the names of God.

The measurements of the boxes are not given; but it is recommended that they should not be smaller than the width of two fingers. They should not be too big, either, because then they wouldn't lie evenly on the head (either the beginning or the end will be off the head). The width of the straps should be equal to the length of a grain of oats. The strap that is passed through the head-tefillin should be long enough to encircle the head and to allow for the knot. The two ends, falling in front over either shoulder, should reach the navel, or somewhat above it. The strap that is passed through the hand-tefillin should be long enough to allow for the knot, then to wrap around the forearm 7 times, and around the hand according to family or location tradtion. A Rabbi should be consulted about the proper way the tefillin to be worn according to one's heritage.

Contents

Each box contains these Biblical passages in which the commandment of tefillin is mentioned: Exodus 13:1-10, 11-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21, hand-written by a specially trained scribe with black ink. The script is the same Hebrew script used for writing the Sefer Torah. The parchment is specially prepared for the purpose, from the skin of a kosher animal. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 are two passages also used in Mezuzah.

Arrangement of passages

The hand-tefillin has only one compartment, which contains the four Biblical selections written upon a single strip of parchment in four parallel columns and in the order given in the Bible. The head-tefillin has four compartments, formed from one piece of leather, in each of which one selection written on a separate piece of parchment is deposited perpendicularly.

The pieces of parchment on which the Biblical selections are written are in either case tied round with narrow strips of parchment and fastened with the thoroughly washed hair of a kosher animal, preferably of a calf. There was considerable discussion among the commentators of the Talmud as to the order in which the Biblical selections should be inserted into the head-phylactery. The chief disputants in this case were Rabbi Solomon Yitzhaki (Rashi) and his grandson Rabbi Jacob ben Meir Tam (Rabbeinu Tam), although different possible arrangements have been suggested by other writers ("Shimmusha Rabba" and the Rabad).

The prevailing custom is to follow the opinion of Rashi. Some Sephardim and Hasidic Jews are accustomed, in order to be certain of performing their duty properly, to lay two pairs of tefillin; one pair is prepared in accordance with the view of Rashi, and the other pair in accordance with that of Rabbeinu Tam. If, however, one is uncertain as to the exact position for two pairs of tefillin at the same time, one should first lay the tefillin prepared in accordance with Rashi's opinion, and then, removing these during the latter part of the service, without pronouncing a blessing and then lay those prepared in accordance with Rabbeinu Tam's opinion.

Mode of writing

The parchment on which the Biblical passages are written need not be ruled, although the custom is to rule it. A pointed instrument ("sargil") that leaves no blot should be used in ruling; the use of a pencil is forbidden. The scribe should be very careful in writing the selections. Before beginning to write he pronounces the words, "I am writing this for the sake of the holiness of tefillin"; and before he begins to write any of the names of God occurring in the texts, he should say, "I am writing this for the sake of the holiness of the Name." Throughout the writing his attention must not be diverted; "even if the King of Israel should then greet him, he is forbidden to reply". Unlike a Sefer Torah but similar to a mezuzah, tefillin passages must be written in order or how it appears in the Torah. Should the words be written out of sequence, the parchment is invalid and not kosher.

Laying Tefillin and The blessings

In putting on the tefillin, the hand-tefillin is laid first. Its place is on the inner side of the left arm, above the elbow, on the lower biceps, level to the heart. When the arm hangs, the tefillin must rest near the heart.

People who write with their left hand lay the Tefillin on the right arm. People with one arm may lay tefillin on that arm.

After the tefillin is thus fastened on the bare arm, the strap is wound seven times round the forearm.

Then the head-tefillin is worn. The head tefillin is placed so as to overhang the middle of the forehead, although it may not be lower than one's hairline, with the knot of the strap at the back of the head and overhanging the middle of the neck, while the two ends of the strap, with the blackened side outward, hang over the shoulders in front.

On laying the hand-tefillin, before the knot is fastened, the following benediction is pronounced: "Blessed are you, Lord, our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to put on tefillin."

Hebrew: ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותו וצונו להניח תפלין

Transliteration: Baruch Atta Adonai, eloheinu, melech ha'olam, asher kiddeshanu be-mitzvotav v'tzivvanu le-hanniach (some say le-haniach) tefillin.

Then the arm tefillin is tightened, and wrapped around the arm seven times without interruption.

Next is the laying of the head tefillin. Some authorities are of the opinion that the blessing on laying the head-tefillin should be pronounced only when an interruption has occurred through conversation on the part of the one engaged in performing the commandment; otherwise the one blessing pronounced on laying the hand-tefillin is sufficient. This is the current Sephardi custom. The prevailing custom amongst Ashkenazi Jews is to say the second (following) blessing, and, after the second blessing, to say the words, "Blessed be the name of God's glorious kingdom for ever and ever," lest the second benediction be pronounced unnecessarily. The head tefillin is then immediately placed on the head.

Hebrew: ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותו וצונו על מצות תפלין

Transliteration: Baruch Attah Adonai, eloheinu, melech ha'olam, asher kiddeshanu be-mitzvotav ve-tzivvanu al mitzvat tefillin.

And then the head tefillin is tightened, as the following phrase is said: "Blessed is the Name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever."

Hebrew: ברוך שם כבוד מלכותו לעולם ועד

Transliteration: Baruch Shem kevod malkhuto l'olam vaed.

Amongst Ashkenazim, the strap of the hand-phylactery is then wound three times around the middle finger so as to form a ש and the passages Hosea ii. 21 and 22 are recited. After the tefillin are laid Exodus xiii. 1-16 is recited. In removing the tefillin the three twistings on the middle finger are loosened first; then the head-phylactery is removed; and finally the hand-phylactery. It is customary to lay and to remove the tefillin while standing; also to kiss them when they are taken from and returned to the tefillin-bag.

Sephardim proceed similarly, but often without the extra scriptural passages, and the shape ד is shaped on the palm of the hand and the shape of a ש is formed around the middle finger, so as to represent the name Shaddai from the middle finger (ש) through the palm (ד) to the short extra strap of leather (י) hanging from the bayit (box) of the hand-phylactery.

There is also a tradition to lay hand tefilin under the sleeve or garment, in accordance with the verse "And they will be a sign to you...", to you and not to others, and therefore they are covered.

Originally tefillin were worn all day, but not during the night. Now the prevailing custom is to lay them during the daily morning service only. They are not worn on Sabbaths and holy days; for these, being in themselves "signs," render the tefillin, which are to serve as signs themselves (Ex. xiii. 9, 16), unnecessary. However, on the intermediate days of the Festivals, which are considered less holy than the beginning and end, many Jewish groups do lay tefillin, though many others do not.

The prevalent practice today is that on the intermediate days of Festivals (if tefillin are worn at all), and on New Moons, the tefillin are removed before the "Musaf" prayer. However, this practice is only of mediaeval origin, and among the Western Ashkenazic ("German") Jews, there are still many who keep the tefillin on through the end of the "Musaf" prayer.

In our day, the practice of laying the tefillin all day long is still followed (for the most part) by Ashkenazic followers of the Gaon of Vilna, students of the Rambam, and some Yemenite Jews. These Jews would most certainly argue that the practice (of wearing tefillin all day) is still legally required, and not an issue of custom - as is stated above.

Women and tefillin

The duty of laying tefillin is traditionally carried out by men only after bar mitzvah - that is, from the age of 13. Women are exempt from the obligation. Some early Jewish traditions allow women to lay tefillin. (There is a legend that Rashi's daughters wore tefillin, and so did Michal, the daughter of King Saul and the wife of King David) see Eruvin 96a, but this custom was generally discouraged. Over time the discouragement changed into active exclusion, especially amongst Ashkenazim: Later codes of Jewish law such as the Shulhan Arukh eventually forbade women from laying tefillin at all. Traditional Sephardi authorities who permitted - and encouraged - women's use of tefillin after the Shulhan Arukh were the 18th Century chief rabbis of Jerusalem R. Yisrael Ya'aqob Alghazi and his son R. Yomtob Alghazi. Modern Orthodox Judaism holds that it is permissible for women to lay tefillin, but generally discourage it. Conservative Judaism, Reconstructionist Judaism and Reform Judaism allow women to lay tefillin. Many in Conservative Judaism encourage this practice. A sizable number of Conservative Jews see this practice as an obligation of all Jews (and thus all women).

In a scene from her music video, Die Another Day, the pop singer Madonna is seen donning tefillin.

Some Laws Regarding Tefillin

In special circumstances people are exempt from laying tefillin. An Onein (mourner from the time of death until the time of burial), a bridegroom on his wedding-day, one who has been excommunicated, and a m'tzora. (In modern times, the mourner mentioned above would not lay tefillin, but a bridegroom does. The other two individuals no longer exist.) It is not permitted to enter a cemetery or any unseemly place, or to eat a regular meal or to sleep, while laying tefillin. The storage bag used for tefillin should not be used for any other purpose, unless a condition was expressly made that it might be used for any purpose. The tefillin should not be brought into a restroom. Ideally, this rule should be followed with regard to the tefillin in their storage bag.

In his Mishneh Torah, Maimonides concludes the laws of tefillin with the following exhortation :

"The sanctity of tefillin is very great. As long as the tefillin are on the head and on the arm of a man, he is modest and God-fearing and will not be attracted by hilarity or idle talk, and will have no evil thoughts, but will devote all his thoughts to truth and righteousness; Therefore, every man ought to try to have the tefillin upon him the whole day; for only in this way can he fulfil the commandment. It is related that Rav (Abba Arika), the pupil of our holy teacher (Rav Judah ha-Nasi), was never seen to walk four cubits without a Torah, without fringes on his garments (tzitzit), and without tefillin. Although the tradition enjoins the laying of tefillin the whole day, it is especially commendable to lay them during prayer. The sages say that one who reads the Shema' without tefillin is as if he testified falsely against himself. He who does not lay tefillin transgresses eight commandments; for in each of the four Biblical passages there is a commandment to lay tefillin on the head and on the arm. But he who is accustomed to lay tefillin will live long, as it is written, 'When the Lord is upon them they will live'".

Name and origin

The earliest reference to the English translation of tefillin, "phylacteries", is in the New Testament (Matthew xxiii. 5), whence it has passed into European languages. In rabbinic literature it is not found even as a foreign word. The Septuagint renders "ṭoṭafot" (A. V. and R. V. "frontlets"; Ex. xiii. 16 and Deut. vi. 8) by ἀσαλευτόν (= "something immovable"); nor do Aquila and Symmachus use the word "phylacteries." The Targumim and the Peshita use "tefillin" or "ṭoṭafot".

The Greek phulakt rion means guard's post, safeguard, , from phulakt r, guard, from phulax, phulak-.]

The terms "tefillah," "tefillin" only are found in Talmudic literature, although the word "ṭoṭafah" was still current, being used with the meaning of "frontlet" (Shab. vi. 1). The conclusions in regard to the tefillin which are based on its current name "phylacteries," therefore, lack historical basis, since this name was not used in truly Jewish circles.

In regard to their origin, however, the custom of laying protecting coverings on the head and hands must be borne in mind. Saul's way of appearing in battle, with a crown on his head and wearing bracelets, is connected with this idea. The Proverbs reflect popular conceptions, for they originated in great part with the people, or were addressed to them. Prov. i. 9, iii. 3, vi. 21, and vii. 3 (comp. Jer. xvii. 1, xxxi. 32-33) clearly indicate the custom of wearing some object, with or without inscription, around the neck or near the heart; the actual custom appears in the figure of speech. In view of these facts it may be assumed that Ex. xiii. 9, 16, and Deut. vi. 8, xi. 18 must be interpreted not figuratively but literally; therefore it must be assumed that the custom of wearing strips inscribed with Biblical passages is commanded in the Torah. "Bind them as signs on thy hand, and they shall be as ṭoṭafot between thy eyes" assumes that ṭoṭafot were at the time known and in use, but that thenceforth the words of the Torah were to serve as ṭoṭafot (on signs see also I Kings xx. 41; Ezek. ix. 4, 6; Psalms of Solomon, xv. 9; see Breast-plate of the High Priest; Cain).

It has been noted that the position of the tefillin - on the forehead and by the heart - is the same position as the emblems on the soldier's or the schoolchild's uniform.

Another tradition, from the Talmud, is that one lays tefilin because God does. For more reference look in Tractate Berachot.

Earliest form

Tefillin resembled amulets in their earliest form, strips of parchment in a leather case, which is called either "bag" or "little house." Tefillin and "ḳeme'ot" are, in fact, often mentioned side by side (Shab. vi. 2; Miḳ. vi. 4; Kelim xxiii. 9; et al.), and were liable to be mistaken one for the other ('Er. x. 1 et al.). As in the case of the Torah, the only permissible parchment material was qlaf or klaf, while the "mezuzah" was made of a different kind of unsplit-hide parchment called gevil (Shab. viii. 3 et al.); for this reason a discarded tefillah could be made into a mezuzah, but not vice versa (Men. 32a). It was made square, not round (Meg. iv. 8). The head-tefillah consisted of four strips in four compartments, while the hand-tefillah consisted of one strip. The former could be made out of the latter, but not vice versa; and they were independent of each other. Excavation of the Dead Sea area in the Judean Desert known as Qumran in 1955 revealed the earliest tefillin known, they were used by a non-Pharisee sect indicating widespread use during the Second Temple period.

Tefillin and magic

Although the institution of the tefillin is related in form to the custom of laying amulets, there is not a single passage in rabbinic literature to show that they were identified with magic. Their only power of protecting is similar to that of the Torah and the Commandments, of which it is said, "They protect Israel". One of the earliest tannaim, Eliezer ben Hyrcanus (b. 70 C.E.), who laid great stress upon the tefillin, actively advocating their general use, derives the duty of laying them from Josh. i. 8, "You shall meditate therein day and night" (treatise Tefillim, near end).

Tefillin and acupuncture

A publication in the Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2002 Oct;70:4-6, illustrates the arm and head wrappings of tefillin straps and their correlation to acupuncture points. They hold that activating these points will enhance one's mental and spiritual health.

In the Middle Ages

Rashi (d. 1105) and Maimonides and Rashi's grandson Jacob Tam (d. 1171) disagreed in regard to the arrangement of the four sections in the head tefillin. The former opinion is accepted, although scrupulously pious persons put on the tefillin of R. Tam after prayer. There were differences of opinion between the Spanish and the German Jews in regard to the knot in the strap (see illustrations in Surenhusius, cited below).

A report of widespread negligence and non observance of wearing tefillin is found in Rabbi Moses of Coucy’s Sefer Mitzvot Gedolot, a book that outlines and comments on the 613 commandments of the Torah. In his discussion on the commandment to love God, he refers to tefillin as one of the necessary tools to love God. He concludes his section on loving God by relating his experience in Spain in the year 1236 C.E. In Spain, he chastised the local Jews for their irreverent behavior and in particular their negligence in wearing Tefillin. He writes that he succeeded in convincing thousands of Jews to repent and wear Tefillin.

Mivtza Tefillin

The first of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's Mivtzoim (Mitzvah campeigns), was that of Mivtza "Tefillin". It was started by the rebbe at the time of the israely Six Day War. The Rebbe quoted the verse from Torah, that "all the nations of the world will see that the Name of G-d is upon you, and they will fear you".

See also

• Mezuzah
• Tzitzit
• Tallit
• Siddur
• Kippah
• Torah
• Judaism
• Parshah Va'etchanan

External links

• Movies on Tefillin
• Preservers and manufacturers of ancient qlaf Tefillin
• Earliest Tefillin Known; Dead Sea - Qumran
• Complete Tefilin Guide: Including How-To With Diagrams
• How to put on Tefillin
• Tefillin in Jewish law and tradition
• Tefillin in the Jewish Virtual Library
• A brief treatise on the significance of this important Mitzvah, including some basic laws, prayers and diagrams
• Tefillin: An Ancient Acupuncture Point Prescription for Mental Clarity
• Easy Rashi; תפילין