What Is Tefillin?
Tefillin, known in English as "phylacteries," are Jewish ritual objects used during weekday and non-holiday morning prayers. They are integral part of the Jewish service, and religious Jews consider once-daily use to be a commandment.
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Appearance
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A set of tefillin looks like two black wooden boxes, each slightly smaller than a tennis ball (though size can vary.) One box is smooth on the outside, and has a long leather strap running from one edge. The other has four faint lines carved into it, and has two leather straps running from either edge; these straps are knotted together.
Application
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The smooth box is slid over the left arm, and the strap wrapped seven times around the forearm. The remaining slack in the strap is used to form the Hebrew letters "shin," "dalet," "yud" on the left hand--one of the names of God. The lined box is fitted over the forehead, and the leather straps tightened to keep it in place.
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Ritual Significance
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In a Biblical passage that constitutes one of the most important Jewish prayers--the "Sh'ma"--Jews are commanded to bind the word of God on their arms and over their heads, among other places. Tefillin fulfill this commandment because both boxes contain passages from the Hebrew Bible, written on small pieces of parchment.
Kashrut
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Tefillin are special ritual objects containing the name of God, and therefore must be created by a "sofer" (scribe) in order to be considered "kosher" (appropriate) for ritual use. Tefillin are handmade and can be very expensive--most observant Jews receive them as gifts on the occasion of the Bar-Mitzvah, at the age of 13 (or 12 for girls).
Associated Rituals
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Tefillin are an integral part of the "shacharit" (morning) service. The other essential item is the tallit, a four-cornered piece of cloth with special knots tied at each corner. Both tallit and tefillin are donned before morning prayers begin.
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