| Imagine that you have walked in to a synagogue, | | | | rectangular base without any dents or curves. |
| right around the time that prayers are supposed | | | | Any curvature or intentions that affect the |
| to start. You see each man who walks into the | | | | Tefillin's external physical appearance invalidate the |
| synagogue carrying a bag. You see the men take | | | | Tefillin for use. In this case, a certified scribe |
| out prayer shawls, place them upon themselves | | | | should be consulted to ascertain if there are any |
| and then take out small leather boxes with straps | | | | repairs that must be performed and carried out |
| attached to them, which the men then proceed | | | | as necessary. |
| to tie to their arms and place upon their heads. | | | | The straps are painted black on one side and this |
| What you have just witnessed is the | | | | side faces outward when wearing them. Tefillin |
| performance of one of the commandments from | | | | Shel Yad, the hand-tefillin, consists of a box with |
| the Torah, that of putting on and wearing Tefillin. | | | | long strap and a knot on the side closest to the |
| What are Tefillin? Tefillin, also known as | | | | heart. |
| phylacteries, are two leather boxes containing | | | | The placement of this knot depends on the hand |
| pieces of parchment with sections of the Torah | | | | used for writing. The general rule is that the hand |
| on them that are attached to straps. The scene | | | | used for writing is the hand used for performing |
| you witnessed at the synagogue was the | | | | mitzvoth, or commandments. Based on this rule, |
| performance of this commandment. The | | | | the Tefillin is placed on the hand not used for |
| commandment of wearing Tefillin is upon men, | | | | writing. Therefore, a left-handed individual would |
| who wear these boxes at the minimum during | | | | find the Shel Yad knot on the left side while a |
| Morning Prayer services and at the maximum all | | | | right-handed person would find it on the right side. |
| day and perform the commandment by placing | | | | The Shel Rosh Tefillin which goes on the head, |
| the Tefillin on the arm and head. | | | | consists of the same materials with the |
| The source of the commandment of Tefillin is | | | | difference being that there are four separate |
| found in the last book of the Torah, in | | | | compartments for parchment and how the knot |
| Deuteronomy, in Hebrew called Devarim. The | | | | is tied. The parchment contains the exact same |
| commandment is also found in verses in the book | | | | verses that are on the Shel Yad. |
| of Exodus, Shemot in Hebrew, but the main | | | | There are differing opinions regarding Tefillin. One |
| commandment is found in Deuteronomy. In those | | | | of most well known controversies is the order of |
| verses, the command is to "Bind them as a sign | | | | the verses in the Tefillin. The two opinions are |
| upon your arm and they shall be as Totafot | | | | those of two leaders from France in the 1000s |
| between your eyes." Nobody really knows what | | | | and 1100s - Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, known as |
| the word "Totafot" means, but there are | | | | Rashi, and his grandson Rabbi Ya'akov ben Meir, |
| guesses. | | | | known as Rabbeinu Tam. The consensus is that |
| The Tefillin boxes and straps are made of the | | | | Rashi Tefillin is required while Rabbeinu Tam is not. |
| hide of a kosher animal. The boxes must be | | | | Some people actually put on both, though not |
| perfect squares, painted black and attached to a | | | | simultaneously. |