How to Lay Tefillin

(Ashkenazi lesson)

For those unfamilar "What are tefillin?"

Tefillin (t'-FIL-lin) (or in Koine Greek, "Phylacteries") Leather boxes containing scrolls with passages of scripture, used to fulfill the commandment to bind the commandments to our hands and between our eyes.

SHEM'OS 13:9 (Exd 13:9) And it shall be for a sign unto you upon your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that HASHEM'S Torah (Instruction) may be in your mouth: for with a strong hand has HASHEM brought you out of Egypt.

D'VAREEM 6:8 (Deut 6:8 ) And you will bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they will be as frontlets between your eyes.

D'VAREEM 11:18 (Deut 11:18 ) Therefore you will lay up these my words in your heart and in your nefesh (soul), and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.

A bit of info about this article

This basic lesson is right-handed person and for tefillin whose straps are arranged according to Ashkenaz usage. Someone who is left-handed will need a Hand-Tefillah whose knot is on the opposite side to those of a right-handed person. It will then be possible for them to follow these instructions, substituting "left hand" for "right hand" throughout. Those who use tefillin whose straps are arranged according to Chossidic minhog (custom) or that of Shephardic communities should ask their Rabbi for personalized instructions, because they are substantially different from traditional Ashkenazi custom in several important details. Eventually I plan to have all three posted on my webpage.

When do we lay tefillin?

Tefillin are put on preparatory to Shakiris (morning prayers) which is the first of the three prayer times per day,for this you need a minyan (10 men). On days that are not Shabbos or a Torah-based Festivals(when Tefillin are not put on) are: the first and last days of Pesach (Passover), Shavu'os, Rosh ha-Shanah, Yom Kippur, and the first and last days of Sukkos (although some refrain of intermediate days). It follows that Tefillin ARE worn on Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah, Purim, and Yom ha-Atzma' ut - unless any of these days fall on Shabbos. On Chol ha-Mo'ed (the intermediate days of Pesach and Sukkos) in the State of Israel Tefillin are not worn.
In the Diaspora there are varying customs, so check out the custom in your locality.
A rule-of-thumb could be that if you go to work to earn parnosa (to earn a living) on Chol ha-Mo'ed you put on Tefillin, otherwise you don't. Tefillin are also worn on Fast Days (except Yom Kippur). In theory this includes Tisha b'Av; however, since Tefillin are considered an adornment, on Tisha b'Av we delay laying Tefillin until the Afternoon prayers (Minchah).

Since the Tallis (called "Tallit" in Shepardic Hebrew) is worn on all the above occasions (i.e. on more occasions than the Tefillin), when we put on both Tallis and Tefillin we put on the Tallis first.

NOTE: Ashkenaz men do not wear a tallis til' they are maried.

When should we refrain from laying tefillin?

Tefillin, like the mezuzo, should be periodically checked by a qualified (This means Orthodox) sofer (scribe) to see that they are still in a state of kashrus.
Traditionally Tefillin that are not worn on a regular basis should be checked twice every seven years. If the blacking is flaking from the Tefillin or their straps they may not be used until re-blackened and inspected.

Siman 38:2 says...

One who is certain that he is unable to daven without passing gas, it is better that he allow the time for davening to pass, rather than to daven without bodily cleanliness. If it seems to him that he is able to restrain himself with bodily cleanliness at the time of She'ma, he should but tefillin on between [the borucha of] "Ahava" and Sh'ma, and recite the borucha.
If one is in pain to where he cannot' concentate on the mitzvo. One who did not fulfil the mitzva of tefillin because of illness, and thirty days passed without him putting them on, stil must not recite the beracha of "Shehechiyanu" when he puts them on again.

And Siman 38:3 says...

Women and slaves are not obligated in tefillin, because it is a positive mitzvah that is time-bound. Ramo: women wish to be strict with themselves (and put on tefillin), we prevent them.
A woman has enough obligations as it is without fufilling all of a man's also. also, wrapping The Shel Yod (arm tefillin)around the arm the strap becomes like the imbilucal cord of a woman, a gift that only weomen were given, men cannot' fufill the mitzvo of carrying a child to term.

FOR MORE CHALACHOS CONCERNING TEFILLIN-CLICK HERE (Shulchan Oruch and Mishna Berurah)At The Global learning center

...Finally we get to main part of this article.

How do we lay tefillin?

As it is written in The Torah, there are three stages in the laying of tefillin: binding upon the arm, laying them between the eyes, and creating with them a "sign" on the hand.

FIRST STEP:

Binding the Tefillin on the Arm

(Make sure you have allready put your tallis on, and said the boruchah for it.)

I have found it is easiest to lay tefillin by standing above a chair, or table if available, so that you can set your tefillin bag in front of you. You are about to place the "Hand-Tefillah" (Shel Yod) on the left arm.

Remove your watch and rings, then roll up your sleeves, as necessary.

Continue standing for the duration (or in Sepharidic tradition you would be sitting while laying tefillin), this Hand-Tefillah is to be placed on the part of the arm called in Hebrew the "Kibbores". You can locate the "kibbores" by "making a muscle" on the left arm: where the arm bulges is the "kibbores" and it is there that we shall lay the Hand-Tefillah when the time comes.

Take the Hand-Tefillah (Shel Yod) out of the bag, making sure not to shake it out. Leave the Head-Tefillah (Shel Rosh) still inside the bag at this stage, making sure not to touch it. Completely unwind the straps and remove the cover. Note the shape of the Hand-tefillah: it's base is wider than the "bayis" - the cubic box,and the upper part of the base forms a slot through which the strap has been threaded.

It is proper minhag to kiss the tefillah before putting it on. HASHEM's D'var(G_d's word)is sweet.

Hold the Hand-Tefillah in your right hand in such a way that the "bayis" is facing upwards, the slot (ma'abarta) is the end nearest your body and the knot also is on the side nearest your body. Pull the strap open and widen it to form a large loop.

Above, this is what it will look like from your view.
Pass your left arm through the loop, being careful to maintain the "bayis" facing upwards and the end with the slot facing the upper arm. Slip the Hand-Tefillah up the arm and rest it on the "kibbores". Adjust it until it is positioned in such a way that it faces inwards towards your body ("opposite the heart").

Recite the following blessing:(I have altered the names of G-d as to not take G-d's name in vain when not actually praying here)

"Boruch otah Ad--oy, ElohKeynu Melech ho-olam, asher kide'shanu be-mitzvosav, ve-tzivonu le-hani'ach tefillin".

To recite the blessing in English, say:

"Blessed are You, HASHEM, Ruler of the Universe, Whose has sanctified us by his commandments, and Who commands us to lay Tefillin".

Immediately, pull the loop so that it closes tightly and "locks" the top of the Hand-Tefillah in place. The strap should be quite tight, so that it will not loosen during worship - but not so tight, of course, that it causes undue discomfort! It is most likely that until you acquire the expertise that comes with practice, when you close the loop the Hand-Tefillah will move out of place: put it back in place and tighten the loop again - and again and again until you manage to get it right!

Take the strap in your right hand near to the Hand-Tefillah, with the blackened side uppermost. Wind the strap underneath your arm and then over the top TOWARDS YOUR BODY - one twist above the elbow and seven twists, evenly spaced, between the elbow and the wrist. These twists should also be quite tight, so that they will not loosen during worship as you move your arm - but not so tight that they cause real discomfort. Wind the remainder of the strap around the palm of your hand so that it won't hinder you during the next stage.

SECOND STEP:

Laying the Tefillin Between the Eyes

Take the Head-Tefillah (Shel Rosh) out of the bag, loosen the strap completely and remove the cover.

Again It is proper minhag to kiss the tefillah before putting it on.

You will note that there are differences between the Head-Tefillah and the Hand-Tefillah. Firstly, the "bayis" of the Head-Tefillah is divided into four compartments, whereas the Hand-Tefillah is completely smooth. Secondly, the strap of the Head-Tefillah is knotted into a loop which has two ends and not one.

Hold the strap of the Head-Tefillah (Shel Rosh) with both hands in such a way as the loop is very wide and the two loose ends are hanging downwards, make sure the knotting is in the middle.

Recite the following blessing:

"Boruch otah Ad--oy, ElohKeynu Melech ha-olam, asher kiddeshanu be-mitzvosav, ve-tzivanu al mitzvos Tefillin. Boruch shem kevod malchuso le-olam va-ed".

To recite the blessing in English, say:

"Blessed are You, HASHEM, Ruler of the Universe, Whose has sanctified us by commandments, and Who commands us concerning Tefillin . Blessed be your Sovereign Name for ever"

. Immediately after completing this blessing - with no interruption - lower the Head-Tefillah onto your head. Arrange the Tefillah on your head as follows: the double knot that makes the straps into a loop must be at the bottom of the nape of the neck: there is a natural indentation there. The Head-Tefillah itself should be placed on the forehead in such a way that the lower edge of the Tefillah lies on the hairline ,or at the place where the normal hairline would be (No balding jokes at this time please, this is a sacred time.)

It should not be placed directlly on the forehead.
Make sure (use your fingers or a small mirror, or both) that the blackened side of the strap faces outwards all around the head. Pull the two free ends of the strap over each shoulder and stretch them downward with a gentle tug, making sure that the blackened side is outward facing here as well.

THIRD STEP:

Making a "Sign" Upon the Hand Unwind the strap that you wound round the palm of your hand as far as the wrist. We are now going to make a "sign" (the Hebrew letters Shin, Dalet and Yod, which make up the word "Shaddai", Almighty). Hold your left hand stretched out palm downward. (If the strap around your arm has become loose you didn't wind it tightly enough: do it again!) Bring the strap from the wrist underneath the hand (across the down-facing palm) as far as the second finger from the thumb. Wind the strap round this finger three times - once beneath the lower joint and twice above it, crossing over each other above the joint forming an X shape.

Now bring the strap under the palm of the hand and wind it over the third finger from the thumb, across the back of the hand to the angle formed where the thumb joins the hand. We have already created the letters Dalet and Yod on the palm and the finger - don't stop to check!

We are now going to create across the back of the hand the shape of the letter Shin - something like this: \|/. Bring the strap under the palm of the hand as far as where the back of the hand joins the wrist (on the side of the little finger) and then across the back of the hand to the angle formed where the thumb joins the hand.

Now bring the strap under the palm of the hand to the middle of the hand and over the centre of the back of the hand back to the angle formed where the thumb joins the hand. Check that you have now formed on the back of your hand the shape of the Hebrew letter "Shin"- something like this: \|/. If there is yet more strap "left over" wind it continuously and neatly along the central arm of the "Shin" until there is just enough left to tuck the end in firmly underneath, in the palm of the hand.

Recite:

"Ve-eyrastikh li le-olam. Ve-eyrastikh li be-tsedek uve-mishpas uve-chesed uve-rachamim. Ve-eyrastikh li be-emunah, ve-yada't es Ad--oy.

If you wish to recite this quotation from the words of the Novi (prophet) Hoshea, in English, say: "I shall betroth you to Me for ever; I shall betroth you to Me in equity, in justice, in love and in tenderness; I shall betroth you to Me in faithfulness."

You are ready to have an intimate time of davening with HASHEM.

When you are finished davening, follow the next step...

REMOVING YOUR TEFILLIN

Under normal circumstances the Tefillin should not be removed before the end of worship, and then they should be removed before the Tallit.

On Rosh Chodesh, however, the Tefillin should be removed before the Mussaf (Additional) service, and on Chol ha-Mo'ed, where worn, they should be removed before reciting Hallel. On ordinary days, if you are in a hurry, you can start to remove the Tefillin after reciting 'Alenu'.

The Tefillin are removed after worship in the exact reverse order. Firstly, undo the "Sign on the hand",the strap around the middle finger is unwound and is rewound around the palm.

next remove the Tefillah from the head,rewind the straps and place it back in the bag.

and lastly remove the Tefillah from the arm. Put the cover back on the Head-Tefillah and wind the strap securely around it and place it in the bottom of the bag. Now put the cover back on the Hand-Tefillah, wind the strap securely around it and place it in the bag in such a way as it will immediately come to hand when you next open your bag.
(NOTE: I myself prefer hard plastic covers that are hinged, they offer more protection while storing, and are nicer than the cardboard most tefillin come with. They are black plastic with gold design-work)

NOTE: Make sure you do not bring your tefillin (or your Tenach, or B'ris Chadasha) into the bathroom (this is considered profane), leave them outside with someone you trust.

For more information on Tefillin, I reccomend the book

"Chalachos of Tefillin" by: Rabbi Shimon D. Eider. (Feldheim Publishers Ltd.)

This book is is 8 X 10 in size and has approximately 208 pgs. It has many wonderfull b/w photos, the text is in English and Hebrew. This book will soon be available in my bookstore.

FOR PURCHASING TEFILLIN

Consult a trusted Rabbi for advice, there are unethical people out there who are willing to take your money for something you do not want, believe me I know this! The OU (orthodox Union) are thinking about giving kosher certification for tefillin. a good pair should cost no less than $500, and no more than $650 (unless you want to go all out).

There are three types of bayis (the main shell of the tefillin) that are available, all take many hours of work to make.

1.Pshutos (simple, like orgami, made of several pieces glued together, some do not consider these kosher). These genarlly start at $50-$75 a set (without the parshas).

2. Dakkos, which are made of a single thing piece of leather which is wetted and pressed. These usually start at about $180 a set (without parshas).

3. GASSOS,Also made from a wetted and pressed single piece of leather, but VERY THICK, these I reccomend, from each ox only one pair of these can be made, it is from the thickest part of the animal, the neck. These usually start at about $270 a set (without parshas)

There are three different types of shins on the shel rosh (head tefillin).

1. Sephardic shin (the right side has a bend in the shin)

2.Ashkenazik shin (the shin is straight on both sides)

3. Chossidic Shin (straight on both outer sides, but the right inner side has a higher gap in between)This is all hard to explain in words, I will have post illustrations soon.

The main type of tefillin are called Rashi tefillin, where the parshas are in the order that Rashi determined, the same order as they appear in The Torah.

There are also Rebbienu Tam Tefillin which Chossidim use along with Rashi tefillin, the tefillin are changed at one point during the davening of Shakaris. You can tell Rebbienu Tam tefillin by the hair of the calf which sticks out directly in the middle of the Shel Rosh (head tefillah), by an extra hole that was drilled. Rebbienu Tam tefillin have the last two parshas in the shel rosh reversed.

With Rashi tefillin (on the head piece), the calf's hair precedes out of the hole which is slightly off center.

The parshas(parchments that have the writing on them) that are sewn by the Sofer (trained scribe) into the bayis, they have three main nusachs (styles) of script to choose from, think of this as three different types of fonts, these can correspond with the type of shin you use on your shel rosh (head tefillah).

Parshas basiclly start at around $240 and go up to about $1300 depending on the expertise of the safrus (penmanship). Remember you get what you pay for on the lower price ones, but also you do not need the most expensive ones. Remember this type of work takes many many hours and the sofer really is not making much money by the hour, it is really what some call "A labour of love."

. Rebbe Yeshua haMoshiach said in Mattisyohu 23:5 ...

Everything they do is done to be seen by other people; for they make their tefillin very broad and their tzitzyos long. He was not going against Torah which said they shall be totefos (physical signs) upon your head and heart, he was simply saying "Do not show off in a haughty way".

Make sure the ones you purchase are not the GIANT ones (4-8 inches in diameter, hahaha), unless you are the size of Andre' The Giant -oy!, but also be carefull not to buy tiny Bar Mitzvo ones for boys if you are an adult. Also the shiny tefillin are not as desirable as the matte finish.

DON'T FORGET YOUR SIDDUR

ARTSCROLL is a good one, and it has directions such as "bow here", "take three steps back",......ect.

And yes they do have a transliterated one for those who do not read Hebrew YET!
This you can use until' you have mastered The Hebrew. (However this is only available in Ashkenaz pronounciation at this point)

Be Well, and have a kosher day!
Michoel.

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