Daf HaYomi B'Halacha Daily Email

Can the gloss of the retzuos be from a non-kosher source?

The retzuos (straps) of the tefillin must be made from the hides of a kosher animal or bird. Some say that this is a halacha l’Moshe m’Sinai. Other say that it is only mid’rabonon. One should be stringent and treat this halacha with the seriousness of a d’oraisa. The paint for the retzuos should also only come from a kosher source. The poskim disagree about whether the outer gloss that is used to shine the retzuos must also be from kosher material.

[סעיף ג וביה"ל ד"ה עור; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 8 ו־13 ]

Must the leather for the retzuos be processed?

The Rishonim disagree about whether the batim of the tefillin must be made from processed leather. Regarding the retzuos, however, all agree that the leather must be processed. The processing makes them more pliable, allowing them to be wrapped around the arm. In addition, the poskim explain that if it is necessary to blacken the retzuos, which is only a minor part of the process, then certainly the rest of the processing is necessary.

[סעיף ג, ס"ק יח, וביה"ל ד"ה וצריך; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 10]

Can tefillin with ripped stitches be worn?

If two stitches of the tefillin are next to each other and they rip, they should be repaired before the tefillin are worn. If it is not possible to repair them beforehand, the tefillin may be worn and a brocha is recited. If three stitches rip, the tefillin should not be worn--even if the stitches are not right next to each other. If they cannot be repaired before they are worn, the tefillin should be worn without reciting a brocha. If the tear is in the corner, even one rip makes the tefillin pasul.

[סעיף ב, ס"ק יב, יג ו־טו, וביה"ל ד"ה להרמב"ם וד"ה לחוש]

A tear in one of the outer walls of the bayis of the shel rosh renders the tefillin pasul. The same halacha applies if the walls of the three inner compartments are torn. If the walls of only two compartments are torn, and the two sections are not next to each other, the tefillin are kosher.

The above-mentioned disagreement regarding a torn inner compartment pertains to a bayis that rips on its own. There is a concern that the tear on the inner compartment may spread to the outer compartment. The disagreement centers on the question of whether old or new tefillin are more problematic in this case. If the tefillin were ripped with a knife, however, both views agree that the tear could spread regardless of whether the tefillin are new or old.

If one is not sure whether his tefillin are new or old, the Gemara says that the age can be determined by pulling on the straps. If the bayis opens up when the straps are pulled, it is a sign that the tefillin are new. If it does not, the tefillin are considered old. This test is only effective if the ma’avarta (the section that the straps run through) is made from the same piece of leather as the bayis.

Does the entire retzuah need to be painted black?

Should the back of the retzuos be painted?

Is a woman permitted to paint the retzuos?

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.