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What are Rabeinu Tam tefillin?

There is a well-known disagreement between Rashi and Rabeinu Tam regarding the proper placement of the parshios in tefillin. Starting from the left side of the wearer, they both agree that the parsha of Kadeish goes first, followed by the parsha V’hayo Ki Yeviacha. According to Rashi, the next parsha is Shema followed by V’hayo Im Shamoa. According to Rabeinu Tam, the order of Shema and V’hayo Im Shamoa is reversed. Aside from these opinions, there are others who hold that the parsha of Kadeish should begin from the right side of the wearer. These views are not quoted in the poskim.

[סעיף א, וס"ק ג; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 1]

Should both pairs be worn at the same time?

Shulchon Aruch rules according to the opinion of Rashi. Nonetheless, in deference to Rabeinu Tam’s view (which is also followed by many Rishonim), he says that a yarei shomayim should own two sets of tefillin and wear both of them. According to the Arizal, one should wear both pairs at the same time. The batim of the pair which is in accordance with Rabeinu Tam’s opinion should be smaller than the batim of the Rashi tefillin. Others wear the two sets separately.

סעיף א וס"ק ד ו־ה; וראה ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 8

How should two pairs of tefillin be placed when they are worn at the same time?

If one will be wearing two pairs of tefillin at the same time, he should place them as follows: On the arm, the Rashi tefillin should be closer to the shoulder and the Rabeinu Tam should be closer to the elbow. They both must be placed on the muscle. On the head, the Rashi should be below the Rabeinu Tam, closer to the forehead. The retzuos of the Rashi should cover the retzuos of the Rabeinu Tam. The two pairs of tefillin should be placed one right after the other so that the brocha can apply to both.

ס"ק ה-ו; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 7]

The knot which is used to tie the tefillin must be a keshirah tamah (whole and complete knot). This means that there may not be any knots (aside from the one that fastens the tefillin to the head) on the retzuos. This excludes retzuos which rip and must be retied.

Shulchon Aruch quotes two opinions on whether retzuos may be sewn together on the inner side, where stitches will not be visible. One may only rely on the lenient opinion if there are no other tefillin available. A brocha should not be said.

In a case where the retzuos are long enough to encircle the arm multiple times, the poskim disagree about whether the tying/knotting restrictions apply only to the minimal length or to the entire retzuah.

Is intent necessary to transgress bal tosif?

When is it forbidden to add a mitzvah object?

Is it possible to fulfill both opinions with one pair 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.