Can Rashi and Rabeinu Tam be stored together?

Tefillin which are written according to Rashi’s opinion should not be stored in the same tefillin bag/case with a pair that are written according to the view of Rabeinu Tam. It is inappropriate to keep the pair that has kedusha (whichever one that is) together with the pair that does not. Each case should be properly marked. Retzuos which were designated and used together with one pair should not be repurposed to be used with the other pair. Some poskim allow retzuos that were originally used with a Rabeinu Tam pair to be redesignated for a Rashi pair. Since the basic halacha follows Rashi’s opinion, using the retzuos for those tefillin is an upgrade of their kedusha.

סימן לד, סעיף ד וס"ק כ




Are Rabeinu Tam tefillin worn on Chol Hamoed?



As we have learned, there is a disagreement among the Rishonim about whether tefillin should be worn on Chol Hamoed. Shulchon Aruch rules that they should not be worn and Rema disagrees. All agree that the tefillin of Rabeinu Tam should not be worn on Chol Hamoed. Since the Zohar writes very strongly that tefillin should not be worn on Chol Hamoed, even those who do not adhere to his words agree that an extra pair should not be worn. In addition, wearing Rabeinu Tam tefillin is doubly questionable: 1) it is possible that tefillin should not be worn at all on Chol Hamoed, and 2) the halacha may follow Rashi’s opinion.

סימן לד ס"ק כ ביאורים ומוספים דרשו 31


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


There is a longstanding custom for the parshios of the tefillin shel yad to be comprised of seven lines each. The parshios of the shel rosh should total four lines each. If a sofer deviates from these numbers, the tefillin will still be kosher. If adhering to this custom raises the concern that the letters will not be written properly, it is best for the sofer to spread the words over more lines and be certain that the letters are kosher.

 סימן לה סע' א' ס"ק א-ג
  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • It is forbidden to subtract from a mitzvah. This is known as bal tigrah.



  • Is Sefardi ksav acceptable for an Ashkenazi?







  • Which letters are not supposed to be connected?







  • What is the proper way to write a tag?
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.
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