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Prague · 28 Cheshvan 5787

Shabbat this week · 16:02–17:11

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Tefillin

תְּפִלִּיןtefillin
Awaiting expert review

Two black leather boxes containing Torah parchments, bound with straps to the arm and head during weekday morning prayer.

01

Origin

Bible

Four times the Torah commands keeping God's words "as a sign on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes".1,2,3,4

02

Meaning

Interpretation⁂ To verify

Tefillin on the arm opposite the heart and on the head express that both feeling and thought are to be bound to the service of God.5

03

Use

Halakhah

The boxes contain four passages: Exodus 13:1–10, Exodus 13:11–16, Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and Deuteronomy 11:13–21; in the head tefillin on four parchments, in the arm tefillin on one.6

Halakhah

They are worn during morning prayer on weekdays, not on Shabbat and festivals, which are themselves a "sign".7,8

Halakhah

The order of the passages in the boxes differs according to Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam; some wear both kinds.9

04

Historical development

History

Tefillin from the Second Temple period have been found at Qumran. The Greek name phylakterion ("protective object") appears in the New Testament.10

05

Related traditions

Minhag

Boys begin wearing tefillin in connection with their bar mitzvah, in many communities several weeks beforehand.

Halakhah

Orthodox practice does not prescribe tefillin for women; the Talmud mentions that Michal, daughter of Saul, wore them. The Conservative movement encourages women to take on this commandment.11

FAQ

Why are tefillin not worn on Shabbat?

Tefillin are a "sign"; Shabbat and festivals are themselves a sign of the covenant, so they do not need them.

On which arm are tefillin placed?

On the weaker arm – for a right-handed person the left – on the muscle opposite the heart.

Are tefillin an amulet?

No. The Greek name suggests protection, but halakhically they are the fulfillment of a commandment.

Sources

Secondary literature

  1. 10Encyclopaedia Judaica, 2nd ed.

See also