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Tefillin: Difference between revisions
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# One may not put on Tefillin before the time of MeSheyakir. <ref> S"A 30:1 </ref> | # One may not put on Tefillin before the time of MeSheyakir. <ref> S"A 30:1 </ref> | ||
# The minhag is to put on Tefillin after having said Birchot Hashachar and Birchot Hatorah but preferably before the Shema in korbanot and at least before Parshat HaTamid. <ref>Kaf HaChaim 25:3-4 </ref> | # The minhag is to put on Tefillin after having said Birchot Hashachar and Birchot Hatorah but preferably before the Shema in korbanot and at least before Parshat HaTamid. <ref>Kaf HaChaim 25:3-4 </ref> | ||
# If one has not put on his tefillin, he still can during the time of bein hashemashot even though generally it is forbidden to wear them at night, as long as he has not recited arvit. <ref> Halichot Olam volume 1 page 29 </ref> | |||
==Talit before Tefillin== | ==Talit before Tefillin== | ||
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# If one takes off one’s Talit and Tefillin momentarily and then returns one should still put on the Talit first. <Ref> Mishna Brurah (Biur Halacha D”H Vayitztarech) writes that the principle that one should put on Talit before Tefillin is true also in a case where one took off the Talit and Tefillin momentarily and now comes to put on Talit and Tefillin. This is quoted in Yalkut Yosef (Sherit Yosef 1 pg 318), Halacha Brurah (Birur Halacha 25:2), Amudei HaShulchan 10:2, and Divrei Shalom (vol 1 pg 15). </ref> | # If one takes off one’s Talit and Tefillin momentarily and then returns one should still put on the Talit first. <Ref> Mishna Brurah (Biur Halacha D”H Vayitztarech) writes that the principle that one should put on Talit before Tefillin is true also in a case where one took off the Talit and Tefillin momentarily and now comes to put on Talit and Tefillin. This is quoted in Yalkut Yosef (Sherit Yosef 1 pg 318), Halacha Brurah (Birur Halacha 25:2), Amudei HaShulchan 10:2, and Divrei Shalom (vol 1 pg 15). </ref> | ||
# If one is wearing Tefillin and then a Talit becomes available, one doesn’t have to remove one’s Tefillin, rather one should just put on the Talit while wearing the Tefillin. <Ref> Ben Ish Chai (Vayera 4, Sh”t Rav Poalim 1:4) writes that if someone is only wearing Tefillin and a Talit becomes available, one should remove one’s Tefillin before putting on the Talit. So holds the Sh”t Torah Lishmah 1. However, the Rama 25:1 writes that if one has only Tefillin one should put that on and when one gets a Talit one should don the Talit implying that one doesn’t need to remove the Tefillin in order to put on the Talit. So rules Yalkut Yosef (Sherit Yosef 1 pg 319). </ref> | # If one is wearing Tefillin and then a Talit becomes available, one doesn’t have to remove one’s Tefillin, rather one should just put on the Talit while wearing the Tefillin. <Ref> Ben Ish Chai (Vayera 4, Sh”t Rav Poalim 1:4) writes that if someone is only wearing Tefillin and a Talit becomes available, one should remove one’s Tefillin before putting on the Talit. So holds the Sh”t Torah Lishmah 1. However, the Rama 25:1 writes that if one has only Tefillin one should put that on and when one gets a Talit one should don the Talit implying that one doesn’t need to remove the Tefillin in order to put on the Talit. So rules Yalkut Yosef (Sherit Yosef 1 pg 319). </ref> | ||
# If someone by accident took the Tefillin before the Talit, some say that one should put on the Tefillin since one has it in one’s hands, while others hold one should leave the Tefillin (respectfully), engage in another activity and when one returns one can put on the Talit first. <Ref> The S”A 25:1 writes that one should be careful not to put the Tefillin above the Talit in one bag because then one may take the Tefillin first and have to put them on before the Talit. The S”A here holds that since one picked up the Tefillin the principle of not passing up a mitzvah overrides putting the Talit on before the Tefillin. Most achronim rule in accordance with S”A including Mishna Brurah and Halacha Brurah 25:9. However, the Kaf HaChaim 25:10 writes in name of the Arizal that one should always put on the Talit first even in such a case. Therefore, the Sh”t Or Letzion 2:44:16 writes that one should leave the Tefillin and engage in another activity, so that when one returns to the Tefillin one may put on the Talit first according to all opinions. [This advise of engaging in another activity in order to remove the issue of not passing up a mitzvah is sourced in the Magan Avraham 25:4 and Mishna Brurah 25:3.] Even though the Halacha Brurah 25:9 argues that once one is involved in a mitzvah one isn’t allowed to engage in a non-mitzvah, still the Divrei Shalom (vol 1 pg 23), Yalkut Yosef (Sherit Yosef 1 pg 315-7), and Halachot of Tefillin (by Rabbi Shlomo Churba pg 8) rule in accordance with the Or Letzion. </ref> | # If someone by accident took the Tefillin before the Talit, some say that one should put on the Tefillin since one has it in one’s hands, while others hold one should leave the Tefillin (respectfully), engage in another activity and when one returns one can put on the Talit first. <Ref> The S”A 25:1 writes that one should be careful not to put the Tefillin above the Talit in one bag because then one may take the Tefillin first and have to put them on before the Talit. The S”A here holds that since one picked up the Tefillin the principle of not passing up a mitzvah overrides putting the Talit on before the Tefillin. Most achronim rule in accordance with S”A including Mishna Brurah and Halacha Brurah 25:9. However, the Kaf HaChaim 25:10 writes in name of the Arizal that one should always put on the Talit first even in such a case. Therefore, the Sh”t Or Letzion 2:44:16 writes that one should leave the Tefillin and engage in another activity, so that when one returns to the Tefillin one may put on the Talit first according to all opinions. [This advise of engaging in another activity in order to remove the issue of not passing up a mitzvah is sourced in the Magan Avraham 25:4 and Mishna Brurah 25:3.] Even though the Halacha Brurah 25:9 argues that once one is involved in a mitzvah one isn’t allowed to engage in a non-mitzvah, still the Divrei Shalom (vol 1 pg 23), Yalkut Yosef (Sherit Yosef 1 pg 315-7), Rabbi Eli Mansour http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=504, and Halachot of Tefillin (by Rabbi Shlomo Churba pg 8) rule in accordance with the Or Letzion. </ref> | ||
## The same applies if one only took the Tefillin in their bag before taking the talit. <Ref> Magan Avraham 25:1 argues that the principle of not passing up a mitzvah doesn’t apply if one takes the Tefillin in their bag before taking the Talit. So holds the S”A HaRav 25:3. However, Kitzur S”A 10:2, Maamer Mordechai 25:3, Nehar Shalom 25:1, Nishmat Adam 13:2, Levush 25, Taz 25:10, Eliyah Rabba 25:4, Chaye Adam 13:1, Shalmei Tzibbur (pg 37a), Siddur Bet Ovad (Makom Hanachat Tefillin 1), Kaf HaChaim 25:6, and Mishna Brurah (Biur Halacha 25:1 D”H Shelo Yanichu) rule that the principle of not passing up a mitzvah applies even if the Tefillin are still in their bag. </ref> | ## The same applies if one only took the Tefillin in their bag before taking the talit. <Ref> Magan Avraham 25:1 argues that the principle of not passing up a mitzvah doesn’t apply if one takes the Tefillin in their bag before taking the Talit. So holds the S”A HaRav 25:3. However, Kitzur S”A 10:2, Maamer Mordechai 25:3, Nehar Shalom 25:1, Nishmat Adam 13:2, Levush 25, Taz 25:10, Eliyah Rabba 25:4, Chaye Adam 13:1, Shalmei Tzibbur (pg 37a), Siddur Bet Ovad (Makom Hanachat Tefillin 1), Kaf HaChaim 25:6, and Mishna Brurah (Biur Halacha 25:1 D”H Shelo Yanichu) rule that the principle of not passing up a mitzvah applies even if the Tefillin are still in their bag. </ref> | ||
## If one has Tefillin in the room that one is in and a Talit in the next room, the principle of not passing up the mitzvah applies and so one should put on the Tefillin first or leave the Tefillin, engage in another activity and then get the Talit first. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 25:4 writes that the principle of not passing up on a mitzvah applies even to when one mitzvah is in the room that one is in and the other mitzvah is in another room. Therefore the same halacha as when one picks up Tefillin before Talit applies as above. </ref> | ## If one has Tefillin in the room that one is in and a Talit in the next room, the principle of not passing up the mitzvah applies and so one should put on the Tefillin first or leave the Tefillin, engage in another activity and then get the Talit first. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 25:4 writes that the principle of not passing up on a mitzvah applies even to when one mitzvah is in the room that one is in and the other mitzvah is in another room. Therefore the same halacha as when one picks up Tefillin before Talit applies as above. </ref> | ||
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# There’s a doubt in a situation where one would we embarrassed to put on Tefillin without a Talit whether one can put on the Talit first. <Ref> Mishna Brurah (Buir Halacha 25) writes that if one is embarrassed to put on the Tefillin first there is a doubt whether one may put on the Talit first. Yalkut Yosef (Sherit Yosef 1 pg 318) writes that since we hold that the principle of not passing up a mitzvah is only derabbanan, we override the Derabbanan with Kavod HaBriot. [whether not passing up a mitzvah is derabbanan or deorittah is a dispute in the rishonim and achronim, see Yalkut Yosef (Sherit Yosef 1 pg 317-8).] </ref> | # There’s a doubt in a situation where one would we embarrassed to put on Tefillin without a Talit whether one can put on the Talit first. <Ref> Mishna Brurah (Buir Halacha 25) writes that if one is embarrassed to put on the Tefillin first there is a doubt whether one may put on the Talit first. Yalkut Yosef (Sherit Yosef 1 pg 318) writes that since we hold that the principle of not passing up a mitzvah is only derabbanan, we override the Derabbanan with Kavod HaBriot. [whether not passing up a mitzvah is derabbanan or deorittah is a dispute in the rishonim and achronim, see Yalkut Yosef (Sherit Yosef 1 pg 317-8).] </ref> | ||
# If one can only afford either a tallit or tefillin, tefillin should be bought. <ref> Kaf Hachayim 25:3 </ref> | # If one can only afford either a tallit or tefillin, tefillin should be bought. <ref> Kaf Hachayim 25:3 </ref> | ||
==Kavana (intent) when putting on Tefillin== | ==Kavana (intent) when putting on Tefillin== | ||
# When putting on Tefillin one should have the following Kavana: Hashem commended us to wear these 4 parshiot (in the Tefllin) which speak of the oneness of Hashem and exodus of Egypt in order that we remember the miracles that reflect Hashem’s totally control over the upper and lower worlds. One should also have intent to make one’s Nishama in one’s brain and the heart which is the seat of emotion and thought, subservient to Hashem, and in this way one will remember Hashem and minimize one’s personal pleasures. <Ref> S”A 25:5 </ref> | # When putting on Tefillin one should have the following Kavana: Hashem commended us to wear these 4 parshiot (in the Tefllin) which speak of the oneness of Hashem and exodus of Egypt in order that we remember the miracles that reflect Hashem’s totally control over the upper and lower worlds. One should also have intent to make one’s Nishama in one’s brain and the heart which is the seat of emotion and thought, subservient to Hashem, and in this way one will remember Hashem and minimize one’s personal pleasures. <Ref> S”A 25:5 </ref> | ||
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==Who is obligated?== | ==Who is obligated?== | ||
# All men above the age of thirteen are required to put on tefillin daily. <ref> The Rambam(Sefer HaMitzvot Mitzvah Aseh 12 and 13) and Sefer HaChinuch (421) record this as a mitzvah that applies to every male individual even nowadays. Rambam there says based on the gemara in Menachot 44a that one who is obligated to wear tefillin but doesn't, transgresses eight commandments (4 for the hand and 4 for the head). </ref> | # All men above the age of thirteen are required to put on tefillin daily. <ref> The Rambam(Sefer HaMitzvot Mitzvah Aseh 12 and 13) and Sefer HaChinuch (421) record this as a mitzvah that applies to every male individual even nowadays. Rambam there says based on the gemara in Menachot 44a that one who is obligated to wear tefillin but doesn't, transgresses eight commandments (4 for the hand and 4 for the head). </ref> | ||
# Tefillin is a [[Mitzvah Aseh SheHaZman Grama]] (time bound mitzvah) and so women are exempt. Even though usually women are allowed to fulfill mitzvot from which they are exempt, by Tefillin it’s preferable that women do not fulfill this mitzvah. <ref> S”A and Rama 38:3, Mitzvat Nashim (pg 35) | # Tefillin is a [[Mitzvah Aseh SheHaZman Grama]] (time bound mitzvah) and so women are exempt. Even though usually women are allowed to fulfill mitzvot from which they are exempt, by Tefillin it’s preferable that women do not fulfill this mitzvah. <ref> S”A and Rama 38:3, Mitzvat Nashim (pg 35) </ref> | ||
== Arrangement of Paragaphs == | == Arrangement of Paragaphs == | ||
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# However, pious individuals have the practice of wearing both Tefillin of Rashi and Rabbenu Tam. <ref> S"A 34:2-3 rules that that the especially pious should wear both sets, but added that only one commonly known to be especially pious may do so, so as not to appear as arrogant in one's piety. However, Halacha Brurah (Rabbi David Yosef, 34:1) writes that since it has become the practice of many common people to wear both Tefillin of Rashi and Rabbenu Tam it's not considered an issue of arrogance to wear both pairs of Tefillin. </ref> | # However, pious individuals have the practice of wearing both Tefillin of Rashi and Rabbenu Tam. <ref> S"A 34:2-3 rules that that the especially pious should wear both sets, but added that only one commonly known to be especially pious may do so, so as not to appear as arrogant in one's piety. However, Halacha Brurah (Rabbi David Yosef, 34:1) writes that since it has become the practice of many common people to wear both Tefillin of Rashi and Rabbenu Tam it's not considered an issue of arrogance to wear both pairs of Tefillin. </ref> | ||
# Unmarried individuals should not wear Tefillin of Rabbenu Tam unless they know that they are capable of having pure thoughts for as long as the one wears Tefillin. <ref>Halacha Brurah 34:2 </ref> | # Unmarried individuals should not wear Tefillin of Rabbenu Tam unless they know that they are capable of having pure thoughts for as long as the one wears Tefillin. <ref>Halacha Brurah 34:2 </ref> | ||
# If one mistakenly put on rabbeinu tam first, some poskim say to recite a beracha when putting on the rashi tefillin. <ref> Ben Ish Chai Vayera 24. Rav Ovadia Yosef in Halichot Olam volume 1 page 26 says that this is only if the person has prayed something in between but if he remembers immediately no beracha should be recited. </ref> | |||
==Halachot of the Boxes (Batim)== | ==Halachot of the Boxes (Batim)== | ||
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== Process of Putting Tefillin On== | == Process of Putting Tefillin On== | ||
# Right handed people wear the tefillin on their left arm and left handed people place it on their right arm. Whether you are right handed or left handed is determined by which hand you write with. Someone who is completely ambidextrous should place it on the left arm. <ref> S"A 27:1, 27:6 based on gemara Menachot 37a. Halacha Berura 27:21 writes that someone who writes with one hand and performs all other activities with another is praiseworthy if he places on the other hand in addition without a beracha. </ref> One who in the past performed all activities with his right hand but for whatever reason has lost use of it and now his left becomes stronger should place it on the right arm. <ref> Mishna Berura 27:22 </ref> | # Right handed people wear the tefillin on their left arm and left handed people place it on their right arm. Whether you are right handed or left handed is determined by which hand you write with. Someone who is completely ambidextrous should place it on the left arm. <ref> S"A 27:1, 27:6 based on gemara Menachot 37a. Halacha Berura 27:21 writes that someone who writes with one hand and performs all other activities with another is praiseworthy if he places on the other hand in addition without a beracha. This is also the ruling of Rabbi Eli Mansour http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=1101 </ref> One who in the past performed all activities with his right hand but for whatever reason has lost use of it and now his left becomes stronger should place it on the right arm. <ref> Mishna Berura 27:22 </ref> | ||
# The Tefillin of the arm is put on before the Tefillin of the head. <ref> Ben Ish Chai Vayera Halacha 6 says that this order has great kabbalistic significance as well. Chazon Ovadia Chelek 2 page 209 says that the order relates to the idea of naase vinishma (Shemot 24:7, that the Jews accepted to observe the commandments and only afterwards understand them, because the tefillin shel yad represent our actions and the shel rosh represent our understanding </ref> Therefore one should be careful to arrange the Tefillin in the case so that one takes the Tefillin shel yad first. | # The Tefillin of the arm is put on before the Tefillin of the head. <ref> Ben Ish Chai Vayera Halacha 6 says that this order has great kabbalistic significance as well. Chazon Ovadia Chelek 2 page 209 says that the order relates to the idea of naase vinishma (Shemot 24:7, that the Jews accepted to observe the commandments and only afterwards understand them, because the tefillin shel yad represent our actions and the shel rosh represent our understanding </ref> Therefore one should be careful to arrange the Tefillin in the case so that one takes the Tefillin shel yad first. | ||
# However, if one did take the Tefillin Shel Rosh first one must pass up that Tefillin and put on the Tefillin Shel yad first. <ref> S"A 25:6, Kaf Hachayim 25:42 </ref> | # However, if one did take the Tefillin Shel Rosh first one must pass up that Tefillin and put on the Tefillin Shel yad first. <ref> S"A 25:6, Kaf Hachayim 25:42 </ref> | ||
# The sephardic minhag is to place the tefillin shel yad while seated and the tefillin shel rosh while standing, <ref> Sh"t Yechave Daat 4:36, Chesed La'alafim 25:4. </ref> and remain standing while wrapping the tefillin around the hand. <ref> Kaf Hachayim 25:68, Chesed La'alafim 25:11 </ref> A sephardi who prays in an ashkenazic minyan should place his tefillin according to sephardic minhag. <ref> Sh"t Yechave Daat 4:36 </ref> | # The sephardic minhag is to place the tefillin shel yad while seated and the tefillin shel rosh while standing, <ref> Sh"t Yechave Daat 4:36, Chesed La'alafim 25:4. </ref> and remain standing while wrapping the tefillin around the hand. <ref> Kaf Hachayim 25:68, Chesed La'alafim 25:11 </ref> A sephardi who prays in an ashkenazic minyan should place his tefillin according to sephardic minhag. <ref> Sh"t Yechave Daat 4:36 </ref> | ||
# Sephardim have the custom to recite the passages of "kadesh li" and vihaya ki yiveacha," two of the four passages in tefillin after putting them on. <ref> Od Yosef Chaim Vayera 25 </ref> | |||
# The beracha of shehecheyanu is not recited the first time someone puts on tefillin. <ref> Chida in Machazik Beracha 22, Kaf Hachaim Palachi 10:8 based on Tosafot Menachot 75, agianst the tosefta Berachot 6:10 which says that when one makes tzitzit or tefillin, to make a shehecheyanu which is brought down by the Rambam Hilchot Berachot 11:9. However, the Biur Halacha 22:1 and Kaf Hachayim 22:2 both suggest to put on a new garment and say the shehecheyanu on that immediately before putting on tefillin for the first time, while having in mind for the tefillin, as well, to cover the safek. </ref> | |||
==Brachot of Tefillin== | ==Brachot of Tefillin== | ||
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# The Tefillin should be tilted slightly towards the body so that when the arm is bent the Tefillin faces the heart. <Ref> S”A 27:1 </ref> | # The Tefillin should be tilted slightly towards the body so that when the arm is bent the Tefillin faces the heart. <Ref> S”A 27:1 </ref> | ||
detached | detached | ||
# The knot which looks like a Yud on the Tefillin Shel Yad should be facing inward and touching the main Tefillin box. <Ref> S”A 27:2. Ben Ish Chai Vayera Halacha 15 says that according to Kabbalah the yud should be tocuhing the box even when the tefillin are wrapped in their boxes. </ref> | # The knot which looks like a Yud on the Tefillin Shel Yad should be facing inward and touching the main Tefillin box. <Ref> S”A 27:2. Ben Ish Chai Vayera Halacha 15 says that according to Kabbalah the yud should be tocuhing the box even when the tefillin are wrapped in their boxes. Shaare Teshuva OC 27:2 quotes the Shalmei Tzibbur saying the same. </ref> | ||
# The Minhag is to put the Maavarta (bridge) part of the Tefillin facing the shoulder. <Ref> S”A 27:3 </ref> The Maavarta should also be below halfway between the elbow and armpit. <Ref>Piskei Teshuvot 27:1 inferring from Mishna Brurah 27:34</ref> | # The Minhag is to put the Maavarta (bridge) part of the Tefillin facing the shoulder. <Ref> S”A 27:3 </ref> The Maavarta should also be below halfway between the elbow and armpit. <Ref>Piskei Teshuvot 27:1 inferring from Mishna Brurah 27:34</ref> | ||
# It’s better that the Maavarta is placed above halfway between the elbow and armpit and not have the main box of Tefillin be within 2 fingerbreadths of one’s elbow. <Ref>Piskei Teshuvot 27:1 quoting Shraga HaMeir 6:46 </ref> | # It’s better that the Maavarta is placed above halfway between the elbow and armpit and not have the main box of Tefillin be within 2 fingerbreadths of one’s elbow. <Ref>Piskei Teshuvot 27:1 quoting Shraga HaMeir 6:46 </ref> | ||
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# It is forbidden to laugh or come to lightheartedness while wearing Tefillin because it remove one’s concentration from the Tefillin altogether. <Ref> Chaye Adam 14:15 and Mishna Brurah 44:3 </ref> | # It is forbidden to laugh or come to lightheartedness while wearing Tefillin because it remove one’s concentration from the Tefillin altogether. <Ref> Chaye Adam 14:15 and Mishna Brurah 44:3 </ref> | ||
# It’s preferable not to remove one’s thought from the Tefillin at all so as not to come to think bad thoughts. However, during Davening and learning one doesn’t need to keep one’s mind on Tefillin since one will certainly maintain a proper seriousness and fear of Hashem. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 44:3 writes that it’s preferable not to remove one’s mind from the Tefillin at all while wearing them so as not to comet to bad thoughts. Biur Halacha (D”H yashan) explains (based on Or Zaruha 585) that during Tefillah and learning one will certainly have a fear of heaven and not come to lightheartedness. </ref> | # It’s preferable not to remove one’s thought from the Tefillin at all so as not to come to think bad thoughts. However, during Davening and learning one doesn’t need to keep one’s mind on Tefillin since one will certainly maintain a proper seriousness and fear of Hashem. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 44:3 writes that it’s preferable not to remove one’s mind from the Tefillin at all while wearing them so as not to comet to bad thoughts. Biur Halacha (D”H yashan) explains (based on Or Zaruha 585) that during Tefillah and learning one will certainly have a fear of heaven and not come to lightheartedness. </ref> | ||
# If one is not engaged in learning or praying and is still wearing the Tefillin one should occasionally touch one's Tefillin in order to keep one's attention focused to the Tefillin. <ref>S"A 28:1 writes that occasionally one should touch one's Tefillin in order to make sure that one's attention doesn't shift from thinking about the Tefillin. Mishna Brurah 28: | # If one is not engaged in learning or praying and is still wearing the Tefillin one should occasionally touch one's Tefillin in order to keep one's attention focused to the Tefillin. <ref>S"A 28:1 writes that occasionally one should touch one's Tefillin in order to make sure that one's attention doesn't shift from thinking about the Tefillin. Mishna Brurah 28:2 writes that while one is praying one doesn't need to touch one's tefillin for this purpose. Mishna Brurah 44:3 adds that the same is true while one is learning. </ref> One should touch one's Tefillin Shel Yad and then the Tefillin Shel Rosh. <ref>S"A 28:1. Mishna Brurah 28:3 explains that this order was chosen in order that when one's hand (the one not wearing Tefillin) touches the Tefillin it doesn't pass over the closer mitzvah of touching the Shel Yad first. </ref> | ||
# Some people write the word tefillin in front of them while they wear like in their siddur, in order to maintain awareness of the tefillin while wearing them. <ref> Ben Ish Chai Chayei Sara Halacha 17 because Menachot 36a says that one must have awareness of his tefillin as long as he wears them because of their great holiness. </ref> | # Some people write the word tefillin in front of them while they wear like in their siddur, in order to maintain awareness of the tefillin while wearing them. <ref> Ben Ish Chai Chayei Sara Halacha 17 because Menachot 36a says that one must have awareness of his tefillin as long as he wears them because of their great holiness. </ref> | ||
# One shouldn't hold the tefillin by their straps, rather they should be held by the boxes. <ref> S"A 40:1, Ben Ish Chai Chayei Sara 13, Chesed La'alafim 40:1 </ref> | # One shouldn't hold the tefillin by their straps, rather they should be held by the boxes. <ref> S"A 40:1, Ben Ish Chai Chayei Sara 13, Chesed La'alafim 40:1 </ref> | ||
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# One doesn't however fulfill his obligation with stolen tefillin and cannot recite a beracha on them. <ref> S"A 25:12, Mishna Berura 25:54 </ref> | # One doesn't however fulfill his obligation with stolen tefillin and cannot recite a beracha on them. <ref> S"A 25:12, Mishna Berura 25:54 </ref> | ||
==Getting Tefillin Checked== | ==Getting Tefillin Checked== | ||
# | # Even though one is not obligated, it is praiseowrthy to have your tefillin checked every year particularly during the month of elul and the aseret yimei teshuva. <ref> Sh"t Yechave Daat 1:49, http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=356 </ref> | ||
# If one didn't get his tefillin checked for a long time and later found out they were unkosher, he should increase his torah learning and some say he should take upon himself to also wear Rabbeinu Tam tefillin if he hasn't been already. <ref> Sh"t Otzrot Yosef 3:8 </ref> | # If one didn't get his tefillin checked for a long time and later found out they were unkosher, he should increase his torah learning and some say he should take upon himself to also wear Rabbeinu Tam tefillin if he hasn't been already. <ref> Sh"t Otzrot Yosef 3:8 </ref> | ||
