Daf HaYomi B'Halacha Daily Email

What is the minimal lenght of a retzuah?

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 includes retzuos which rip and are tied back together. The restriction only applies to the minimal length necessary for kosher retzuos; the remainder can be knotted if necessary. On the shel rosh, there are three views as to the minimal length. Some say that it is the amount necessary to fasten the tefillin around the head. Others add an additional two tefachim. A third view maintains that the right retzuah must be long enough to reach the navel and the left must reach the chest. For the shel yad, the minimal length is enough to wrap around the arm, extend to the middle finger, and wrap around it.

סעיף ה, וס"ק כו, כח ו־כט; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 24 ו־26

Can the retzuos be sewn together?

As mentioned, a ripped retzuah cannot 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. If one will be sewing the retzuos, they may only be sewn with gidin (sinews) from a kosher animal.

סעיף ה, ס"ק כה, כו, כח ו־כט, וביה"ל ד"ה אם; ביאורים ומוספים דרשו, 27

How much of the retzuah of the shel yad must be free of knots?

As mentioned, the minimal length of the retzuah of the shel yad is enough to encircle the arm, extend across the arm and wrap around the finger. For this length, there are restrictions regarding knotting or sewing the retzuos. Beyond this area, the retzuos may be repaired. L’chatchilah, though, the retzuos should be long enough to encircle the arm six or seven times. In a case where the retzuos are long enough for this, the poskim disagree about whether the tying/knotting restrictions apply only to the minimal length or to the entire retzuah . Some are stringent, since the part of the retzuah that reaches the finger (which is essential in calculating the minimal length) is at the end of the entire retzuah .

סעיף ה, ס"ק כט, וביה"ל ד"ה אם וד"ה אין]

As we have learned, the retzuos of the tefillin must be painted black. L’chatchilah, they should be painted a dark shade of black, like the color of a raven. B’dieved, though, even a lighter shade is kosher.

Rambam rules that the inner part of the retzuos should also be painted black. In his opinion, this is a proper fulfillment of beautifying the mitzvah. The halacha, however, does not follow this view. The inside may be painted any color except red, which could look like blood.

The crafting of the batim, the formation of the letters on the bayis, and the stitching and knotting on the bayis must be done by a Jewish adult male with a proper lishmah intention. The processing and blackening of the leather must also be done lishmah, but it may be done by a woman.

What are Rabeinu Tam tefillin?

Should both pairs be worn at the same time?

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

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.