How to Put On Tefillin: Practical Guide

How to Put On Tefillin: Practical Guide

Tefillin are two black leather boxes containing parchment scrolls with biblical passages (Exodus 13:1-10, 13:11-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21). They are worn during weekday morning prayers in fulfillment of the commandment to "bind them as a sign on your arm and as frontlets between your eyes" (Deuteronomy 6:8).

Parts of the Tefillin

Tefillin shel yad (of the hand): A single box with four internal compartments, placed on the left arm (right arm for left-handed people) on the biceps, oriented toward the heart. Tefillin shel rosh (of the head): A single box with four compartments, placed on the forehead just above the hairline, centered between the eyes.

Order of Placement

1. Shel yad first: Place the arm tefillin while standing. Recite the blessing: "Baruch atah Adonai... asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'haniach tefillin."
2. Arm winding: The strap is wound seven times around the forearm (Ashkenazi custom) or three times (Sephardic custom).
3. Shel rosh: Place the head tefillin before tightening the arm knot, reciting: "Baruch atah Adonai... asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al mitzvat tefillin." Then say "Baruch shem kevod malchuto l'olam va'ed."
4. Hand winding: The strap is wound around the hand forming a shin (ש) letter, then around the middle finger three times while reciting Hosea 2:21-22: "V'erastich li l'olam..."

Order of Removal

After prayer, they are removed in reverse order: first shel rosh, then shel yad. The shel rosh strap is completely unwound before removing the box. The shel yad is removed by unwinding the hand strap, then the arm, and finally the box from the biceps.

When Not Worn

Tefillin are not worn on Shabbat or major festivals (Yom Tov), since these days are themselves a "sign" of the covenant. They are also not worn on Chol HaMoed (intermediate days) according to some customs.

Differences Between Customs

• Ashkenazi: Straps are black on both sides. The shel rosh knot forms a dalet (ד) shape.
• Sephardic: Straps may be black only on the outside. The knot shape differs.
• Chabad: Specific customs in winding and order of blessings.
• Women: Though most Orthodox women do not wear tefillin, some do, and in Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist movements it is increasingly common. Women are obligated according to halakhah to pray but are exempt from positive time-bound mitzvot.

"And all the peoples of the earth shall see that the name of the Lord is called upon you, and they shall fear you" (Deuteronomy 28:10) — the Talmud interprets this as referring to the tefillin shel rosh.