Daf HaYomi B'Halacha Daily Email

Is it appropriate to wear Rabeinu Tam tefillin?

Shulchon Aruch rules that a G-d-fearing person should wear two sets of tefillin in order to conform to the opinions of both Rashi and Rabeinu Tam. He qualifies that this practice should be undertaken only by a person who is established and known to be pious. If he is not overly careful regarding other halachos, putting on two sets of tefillin gives the impression of being haughty. Since wearing Rabeinu Tam tefillin is common today, even an average person may be stringent in this matter. However, it is quoted in the name of the Vilna Gaon that one should not put on an extra pair of tefillin. Since the halacha follows Rashi’s view, one would have to wear many different pairs in order to incorporate other opinions. Since this is not viable, it is best to adhere just to the opinion adopted by halacha. Some say that a person should be certain to wear a pair of Rabeinu Tam’s tefillin at least once in his lifetime.

סעיף ב-ג ס"ק יז ביאורים ומוספים דרשו 24

When is the proper time to change tefillin?

Some people wear their Rabeinu Tam tefillin after they wear their Rashi pair. The Rashi pair should be worn during davening and the Rabeinu Tam after davening. A brocha is not said on the second pair. It is incorrect to change tefillin during chazoras hashatz. Since Rashi tefillin are primary, it is not proper to take them off before U’va L’tzion. In addition, one will not be able to properly focus on chazoras hashatz if he is busy changing pairs. If there is no other time available to wear the Rabeinu Tam pair, it may be permissible to change them during chazoras hashatz.

סעיף ב' ס"ק ה' ביאורים ומוספים דרשו 19

How can one avoid subtracting from a mitzvah?

As we have learned, a person who wears both types of tefillin must stipulate that he only wishes to be yotzei the mitzvah once. Otherwise, he will transgress the aveirah of bal tosif (adding to a mitzvah). In addition to this aveirah, it is also forbidden to subtract from a mitzvah. This is known as bal tigrah. If one does not make a stipulation, he may also end up transgressing this aveirah. Since each view maintains that the other’s tefillin are invalid, it is as if the tefillin only has two kosher parshios. One who wears such tefillin is subtracting from the mitzvah. Therefore, he must stipulate that he only wishes to be yotzei if the halacha follows that particular view.

ס"ק יג וביה"ל ד"ה יניח

The Torah prohibits adding on to a mitzvah. There is disagreement about whether this averiah, known as bal tosif, requires intent to be yotzei the mitzvah when one adds to it. Some peg this question to the disagreement about whether mitzvah observance in general requires intent. If it does, then transgressing bal tosif would also require intent.

Adding unnecessary components to a mitzvah is a transgression of bal tosif. Examples include shaking five species or affixing five sets of strings to a four-cornered garment.

It is forbidden to place two sets of parshios in the third and fourth compartments in order to satisfy the views of both Rashi and Rabeinu Tam. This would be adding additional parshios to the tefillin, which is forbidden. It is also forbidden to add a fifth compartment to the tefillin.

Can Rashi and Rabeinu Tam tefillin be stored together?

Are Rabeinu Tam tefillin worn on Chol Hamoed?

How many lines should there be in the parshios of tefillin?

PLEASE NOTE: The information in this email is for learning purposes only. Please review the Mishna Berura and Biurim U'Musafim before making a halachic decision. Hebrew words are occasionally transliterated to enable a smoother reading of the text. Common Ashkenazi pronunciation is generally used in these cases.