Details About the Tefillin Boxes and Straps: Difference between revisions
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Details About the Tefillin Boxes and Straps (view source)
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==Halachot of the Boxes (Batim)== | ==Halachot of the Boxes (Batim)== | ||
# The boxes should be black.<ref> Shulchan Aruch | # The boxes should be black.<ref> Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 32:40, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano, siman 10, [[miscellaneous]] laws (of [[Tefillin]]), seif 12. Mishna Brurah 32:184 comments that Shulchan Aruch implies that it is only a mitzvah but after the fact it isn't critical, however, the Gra holds that it is essential in order to fulfill the mitzvah of Tefillin. Halacha Brurah 32:161 rules that after the fact Tefillin are kosher even if the batim aren't black. Shulchan Aruch only mentions blackening the Batim and Retzuot, however, Pitchei Teshuva 32:64 quotes the Sefer Tikun Tefilin and Zichron Eliyahu ch. 20 who say also to paint the entire Tefillin including the Titura and Mavarta excluding the inside of the Mavarta. Halacha Brurah 32:161 agrees.</ref> | ||
# The Tefillin boxes must be square.<ref> Shulchan Aruch Orach | # The Tefillin boxes must be square.<ref> Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 32:39, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano, siman 10, [[miscellaneous]] laws (of [[Tefillin]]), seif 13 </ref> | ||
== Halachot for the Scrolls == | == Halachot for the Scrolls == | ||
===The Parchment (Klaf) Used for Tefillin=== | ===The Parchment (Klaf) Used for Tefillin=== | ||
# The parchment must be made from the skin of a kosher type of animal or bird. Even if the animal is taref, it is permitted to use as long as the animal is from a kosher species.<ref> [[Shabbos]] 108a, Shulchan Aruch Orach | # The parchment must be made from the skin of a kosher type of animal or bird. Even if the animal is taref, it is permitted to use as long as the animal is from a kosher species.<ref> [[Shabbos]] 108a, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 32:12, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano, siman 10, [[miscellaneous]] laws (of [[Tefillin]]), seif 6 </ref> | ||
===How to Write Tefillin === | ===How to Write Tefillin === | ||
# The passages must be written with intent of writting them for the [[kedusha]] of [[Tefillin]].<ref>Shulchan Aruch Orach | # The passages must be written with intent of writting them for the [[kedusha]] of [[Tefillin]].<ref>Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 32:19 </ref> | ||
# Before and while writing the passages for the [[Tefillin]] the sofer should say "I am writing for the sake of the holiness of [[Tefillin]]." <ref> Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano, siman 10, [[miscellaneous]] laws (of [[Tefillin]]), seif 7 </ref> | # Before and while writing the passages for the [[Tefillin]] the sofer should say "I am writing for the sake of the holiness of [[Tefillin]]." <ref> Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano, siman 10, [[miscellaneous]] laws (of [[Tefillin]]), seif 7 </ref> | ||
# The passages must be written with one's right hand if one is right-handed or ambidextrous, however, a left-handed person must write the passages with his left hand.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Orach | # The passages must be written with one's right hand if one is right-handed or ambidextrous, however, a left-handed person must write the passages with his left hand.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 32:5. See Mishna Brurah 32:18 who quotes the Pri Megadim that preferably one should not have a sofer who writes with the right hand and does other activities with the left hand or the opposite. </ref> | ||
# The passages must be written with black ink.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Orach | # The passages must be written with black ink.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 32:3 </ref> | ||
# It is a good habit to test out the pen before beginning to write a passage.<ref> Shulchan Aruch Orach | # It is a good habit to test out the pen before beginning to write a passage.<ref> Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 32:22 </ref> | ||
===Who Can Write Tefillin (Who Can Be a Sofer)=== | ===Who Can Write Tefillin (Who Can Be a Sofer)=== | ||
# The passages for [[Tefillin]] must be written by a literate religious adult male Jew.<ref> Shulchan Aruch Orach | # The passages for [[Tefillin]] must be written by a literate religious adult male Jew.<ref> Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 32:30 and Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 39:1 </ref> | ||
# [[Tefillin]] written by a gentile or a Jew who does not believe in the entire Torah and its divinity are not kosher.<ref> Rambam Hilchot [[Tefillin]] 1:13 </ref> Women are exempt from wearing [[Tefillin]] and as such may not write [[Tefillin]].<ref>Gemara Gittin 45b, Shulchan Aruch Orach | # [[Tefillin]] written by a gentile or a Jew who does not believe in the entire Torah and its divinity are not kosher.<ref> Rambam Hilchot [[Tefillin]] 1:13 </ref> Women are exempt from wearing [[Tefillin]] and as such may not write [[Tefillin]].<ref>Gemara Gittin 45b, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 39:1</ref> | ||
===The Passages (Parshiot) Written in Tefillin=== | ===The Passages (Parshiot) Written in Tefillin=== | ||
# The passages must be written in the order of the Torah (Kadesh, VeHaya Ki Yiviyecha, Shema, and then VeHaya Im Shamoa).<ref> Shulchan Aruch Orach | # The passages must be written in the order of the Torah (Kadesh, VeHaya Ki Yiviyecha, Shema, and then VeHaya Im Shamoa).<ref> Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 32:1 </ref> It is preferable to write the passages for the arm [[Tefillin]] before writing the passages for the head [[Tefillin]].<ref>Rama 32:1, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano, siman 10, [[miscellaneous]] laws (of [[Tefillin]]), seif 2 </ref> | ||
# Those in the head [[Tefillin]] are written on four separate pieces of parchment, while those in the arm [[Tefillin]] are written on one piece of parchment.<ref> Shulchan Aruch Orach | # Those in the head [[Tefillin]] are written on four separate pieces of parchment, while those in the arm [[Tefillin]] are written on one piece of parchment.<ref> Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 32:2</ref> | ||
# The first three passages are Petuchot and the last one is Setumah. Bediavad, if the parsha which is supposed to be patuach is written satum or the satum parsha is written patuach the [[Tefillin]] are considered pasul.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Orach | # The first three passages are Petuchot and the last one is Setumah. Bediavad, if the parsha which is supposed to be patuach is written satum or the satum parsha is written patuach the [[Tefillin]] are considered pasul.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 34:36, See Taz ibid. Yechave Daat 5:3, Ohr LeTzion vol. 2 pg 35, Iggros Moshe Orach Chaim vol. 1 Siman 12</ref> | ||
# In normal circumstances, Sephardim will not have fulfilled their obligation of [[Tefillin]], if they are written according to minhag Ashkenaz. If one has no choice, a halachic authority should be contacted.<ref> Halacha Brurah 32:148. See Yechave Daat 2:3 and 5:3 where Chacham Ovadia explains that LeKulei Alma the script itself is not a problem; rather, the issue is that Ashkenazi sofrim follow the Taz's peshara to be yotzeh both the Rambam and Rosh's opinions of a Parsha Stumah. Since the Shulchan Aruch explicitly rejects this peshara in Hilchot Sefer Torah, it is invalid for Sephardim, thereby rendering the [[Tefillin]] Pesulim according to the Sephardi custom.</ref> | # In normal circumstances, Sephardim will not have fulfilled their obligation of [[Tefillin]], if they are written according to minhag Ashkenaz. If one has no choice, a halachic authority should be contacted.<ref> Halacha Brurah 32:148. See Yechave Daat 2:3 and 5:3 where Chacham Ovadia explains that LeKulei Alma the script itself is not a problem; rather, the issue is that Ashkenazi sofrim follow the Taz's peshara to be yotzeh both the Rambam and Rosh's opinions of a Parsha Stumah. Since the Shulchan Aruch explicitly rejects this peshara in Hilchot Sefer Torah, it is invalid for Sephardim, thereby rendering the [[Tefillin]] Pesulim according to the Sephardi custom.</ref> | ||
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# The strap for the [[Tefillin]] for the arm needs to be at least long enough to be able to be wrapped around the upper arm and extend downwards to the hand and be wrapped around the middle finger three times. Though it would be preferable if it were long enough to additionally be able to wrap around the arm six or seven times.<ref> S:A 27:8. Mishna Brurah 27:31 says the custom nowadays is seven times. </ref> | # The strap for the [[Tefillin]] for the arm needs to be at least long enough to be able to be wrapped around the upper arm and extend downwards to the hand and be wrapped around the middle finger three times. Though it would be preferable if it were long enough to additionally be able to wrap around the arm six or seven times.<ref> S:A 27:8. Mishna Brurah 27:31 says the custom nowadays is seven times. </ref> | ||
# The strap for the [[Tefillin]] of the head needs to be at least long enough to fit around the head plus the two [[Tefachim]] on each side hanging down.<ref> Mishna Brurah 27:44 </ref> The custom is that the right one be longer than the left one and that both go past the midsection.<ref> Mishna Brurah 27:41 </ref> | # The strap for the [[Tefillin]] of the head needs to be at least long enough to fit around the head plus the two [[Tefachim]] on each side hanging down.<ref> Mishna Brurah 27:44 </ref> The custom is that the right one be longer than the left one and that both go past the midsection.<ref> Mishna Brurah 27:41 </ref> | ||
# The straps should be colored black.<ref> Shulchan Aruch | # The straps should be colored black.<ref> Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 33:3, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano, siman 10, place of donning and how to don, seif 24. Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 33:3 and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano, siman 10, laws of the straps, seif 3 write that this is a halacha leMoshe miSinai. Mishna Brurah 33:19 says they should be as black as a raven and adds that one should be especially careful and make sure it stays black at the spot where one tightens the [[Tefillin]] as the paint there wears off easily. </ref> | ||
# The coloring should be done for the sake of the mitzva of [[Tefillin]].<ref> Shulchan Aruch | # The coloring should be done for the sake of the mitzva of [[Tefillin]].<ref> Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 33:4, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano, siman 10, laws of the straps, seif 2. Rama writes that they are not even kosher bedieved if they are not colored black for the sake of the mitzva. Beiur Halacha 33:4 maintains they are "pasul" and says they should be repainted with the proper concentration and intent. </ref> | ||
# The coloring can be done by a women, or a child if the child is supervised by an adult who instructs him to paint it for his sake.<ref> Mishna Brurah 33:23 </ref> | # The coloring can be done by a women, or a child if the child is supervised by an adult who instructs him to paint it for his sake.<ref> Mishna Brurah 33:23 </ref> | ||
# The coloring can be done at night.<ref> Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv and Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg quoted in Mivakshei Torah volume 4 page 415. </ref> | # The coloring can be done at night.<ref> Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv and Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg quoted in Mivakshei Torah volume 4 page 415. </ref> | ||
# One should ensure that the black of the straps faces outward.<ref> Shulchan Aruch Orach | # One should ensure that the black of the straps faces outward.<ref> Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 27:11. Mishna Brurah 27:38 says that one really only has to make sure that the part around the head and around the arm muscle has the black on the outside, but it looks nicer when the black faces outward everywhere and therefore we make sure to practice that way. </ref> | ||
# The minimum width of the [[Tefillin]] straps is the width of a barley kernel, which is approximately a centimeter.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Orach | # The minimum width of the [[Tefillin]] straps is the width of a barley kernel, which is approximately a centimeter.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 10:13 writes that the minimum width of the [[Tefillin]] straps is the width of a barley kernel. Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (comments on Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 10:16) writes that the size of a barley is one centimeter.</ref> | ||
# The straps of the [[Tefillin]] should be made from the skin of a kosher animal.<ref> Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano, siman 10, laws of the straps, seif 2 </ref> | # The straps of the [[Tefillin]] should be made from the skin of a kosher animal.<ref> Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano, siman 10, laws of the straps, seif 2 </ref> | ||
# The strap of the [[Tefillin]] shel rosh should contain a knot in the shape of the hebrew letter dalet, and the strap of the [[Tefillin]] shel yad should contain a knot in the shape of the letter yod. In the end, these symbols and the Hebrew letter shin on the [[Tefillin]] shel rosh will complete the spelling of the name of Hashem.<ref> Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano, siman 10, laws of the straps, seif 1 </ref> | # The strap of the [[Tefillin]] shel rosh should contain a knot in the shape of the hebrew letter dalet, and the strap of the [[Tefillin]] shel yad should contain a knot in the shape of the letter yod. In the end, these symbols and the Hebrew letter shin on the [[Tefillin]] shel rosh will complete the spelling of the name of Hashem.<ref> Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano, siman 10, laws of the straps, seif 1 </ref> | ||
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# One may not remove the borrowed [[Tefillin]] from the synagogue or the owner's home without permission.<ref> Chesed La'alafim 14:4 </ref> | # One may not remove the borrowed [[Tefillin]] from the synagogue or the owner's home without permission.<ref> Chesed La'alafim 14:4 </ref> | ||
# Obviously one may not damage the [[Tefillin]] <ref> Kaf Hachayim 14:22 </ref> | # Obviously one may not damage the [[Tefillin]] <ref> Kaf Hachayim 14:22 </ref> | ||
# One does not however fulfill one's obligation of [[Tefillin]] with stolen [[Tefillin]] and may not recite a bracha on them.<ref> Shulchan Aruch Orach | # One does not however fulfill one's obligation of [[Tefillin]] with stolen [[Tefillin]] and may not recite a bracha on them.<ref> Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 25:12, Mishna Brurah 25:54 </ref> | ||
==Getting Tefillin Checked== | ==Getting Tefillin Checked== | ||
