TEFILLIN }ylypt

 

The word Tefillin is similar to the word Tefila, both coming from the root “pallal”, which means judgement. Through praying and wearing Tefillin we testify to our faith in the presence of God and rely on His judgement, while also providing the opportunity for self-judgement and the improving of our ways.

 

One of the strongest symbols of Jewish faith and devotion is the wearing of Tefillin, which is mentioned in four separate passages in the Torah:

 

1) “And it shall be for a sign to you upon your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the L-rd may be in your mouth”.

 

2) “And it shall be for a sign upon your hand, and for frontlets between your eyes”.

 

3) “And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes”.

 

4) “Therefore shall you place these My words in your heart and in your soul; and you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

 

The four passages, in which the Mitsvah of Tefillin is mentioned, are written on the parchment that is placed in the boxes. These boxes are called the Shel Yad and Shel Rosh.

Through wearing Tefillin we practice two separate and distinct Mitsvot: The Tefillin Shel Rosh and the Tefillin Shel Yad. Tefillin are different from Tallit, which has four corners with Tsitsit which are all incorporated into the performance of the same Mitsvah. This is the reason why a person who is not able to put on either the Shel Yad or the Shel Rosh (e.g. if he has a broken arm, physical impairment, has lost part of his Tefillin etc) is still required to put on the other one. The inability to put on one part of the Tefillin does not exempt one from the obligation of wearing the other.

As the Mitsvah of Tefillin is a positive commandment, the practice of which is restricted to a certain time, i.e. day and not night, women are exempt from this obligation and do not wear Tefillin.

The leather straps, called Retsuot, the boxes and the parchment of the Tefillin are all made from kosher animals. The writing on the parchment must be hand-written by a Sofer (scribe).

On the Tefillin Shel Rosh, the letter Shin appears on the left and right sides of the box. One Shin has three strokes while the other has four.

A number of reasons have been given for this: