From the Rav’s Desk: Putting on Tefillin in the Middle of Shema

Putting on Tefillin in the Middle of Shema

Question:
I was feeling sick and absentmindedly began to pray without Tefillin and only remembered in the middle of Shema. What should I now do? May I wear them, and is a blessing recited?

Answer:
You are to stop Davening and put on the Tefillin during Shema with a blessing. This is to be done even if you are in middle of the paragraph. This follows the final ruling of the Alter Rebbe and Mishneh Berurah, however, according to some Sephardic opinions, you should only wear the Tefillin with a Bracha if your are between paragraphs of Veahavta and Vehaya, or Vehayah and Vayomer.

Explanation:

In 66:11, Admur discusses a dispute regarding this issue. Certain authorities—such as Ram Mekotzi, Tosafos on Berachos 14b, brought in Kuntrus Achron 66:2—maintain that one may only don Tefillin with a blessing during the pauses between paragraphs (Perakim) of the Shema. According to their view, if one reaches the midst of a paragraph, a blessing should not be recited. Consequently, from the paragraph of “Vayomer” onwards, one should put on the Tefillin without reciting a blessing and, after completing Shemoneh Esrei, touch the Tefillin and then recite the blessing. Conversely, other authorities—such as the Tur, Hagahos Maimanis, brought in Kuntrus Achron 66:3—hold that it is permissible to recite the blessing even in the middle of a paragraph. The reason for this is because Tefillin is an obligation to wear for Shema and Shemoneh Esrei in order to accept the complete yoke of Heaven. [Admur 66:3 and 11] Furthermore, one is required to recite every word of Shema with his Tefillin, and hence one cannot wait until between the Perakim. [M”B ibid; Ketzos Hashulchan 18 footnote 12] In practice, Admur concludes that the latter opinion should be followed (Admur ibid.). Nonetheless, there are additional authorities, such as Kaf Hachaim 66:15, who rule in accordance with the first opinion, permitting the blessing only between paragraphs. Therefore, according to this view, from “Vayomer” onwards, the blessing may not be recited until after Shemoneh Esrei.

Source: See my Sefer “The Laws of Tefillin” Chapter 1 Halacha 4G!; Place with Bracha even in middle of Perek: Siddur Admur; Second and main opinion in 66:11; Kuntrus Achron 66:2; Tur; Hagahos Maimanis; M”B 66:15; Place with blessing only between Perakim: Ram Mekotzi, Tosafos on Berachos 14b, brought in Kuntrus Achron 66:2; Kuntrus Achron 66:2