- Putting on only one Tefillin-The law by one who can only put on one Tefillin, either the Shel Yad or the Shel Rosh:[1]
If one has only one Tefillin, such as only a Tefillin Shel Yad or only a Tefillin Shel Rosh, he is to wear the Tefillin that is available and is to say a blessing prior to wearing that Tefillin.[2] The same applies if one has both Tefillin available, although he has some reason why he can only wear one of them [such as if he has a head or arm injury and therefore cannot wear his head or arm Tefillin], he is nevertheless to wear the Tefillin that he is able to wear and say a blessing over it.[3]
Not enough time to wear both:[4] If one does not have enough time to wear both pairs of Tefillin, such as if he has an early flight to catch and they will not wait for him, then he is to wear his Tefillin Shel Rosh, which does not involve much delay. However, he must wear the Tefillin Shel Yad later on in the day.[5] Accordingly, the above allowance only applies if he will have time to wear it later on in the day, however, if he will not have time to wear the Tefillin Shel Yad later on in the day, then he is required to wear both the Tefillin Shel Yad and Tefillin Shel Rosh now prior to traveling from his home, as the sages did not allow one to nullify the Mitzvah of Tefillin simply in order not to delay his travels. [One is thus obligated to make time to wear both pairs of Tefillin each day even on the expense of missing a bus or flight.]
The blessing:[6] In a case that one is putting on only the Tefillin Shel Yad, he is to recite the blessing of Lehaniach Tefillin.[7] In a case that one is putting on only the Tefillin Shel Rosh, then according to the Sephardi [and Chabad custom[8]], he is to recite the blessing of Al Mitzvas Tefillin[9], while according to the Ashkenazi custom he is to recite both blessings of Lehaniach Tefillin and Al Mitzvas Tefillin.[10]
| Q&A On Mivtzaim, may one put on just the Shel Yad or Shel Rosh if the person will not have time to wear both Tefillin, or does not want to do so?[11] Yes. If one has a Shel Yad of Rashi and Shel Rosh of Rabbeinu Tam, or vice versa, may he wear them together? Yes.[12] Some Poskim[13] rule he is to first wear the Rashi Tefillin with a blessing [whether they are Shel Yad or Shel Rosh] and only then wear the Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin. Others[14] rule one is always to wear the hand Tefillin first, although the blessing is only recited on the Rashi Tefillin. |
[1] Admur 26:1-2; Ketzos Hashulchan 8:20:
[2] Admur 26:1; Michaber 26:1; Menachos 38a
The reason: As each one of the Tefillin is a separate Mitzvah, and they do not invalidate each other. [Admur ibid and 25:13]
[3] Admur 26:2; Michaber 26:1
[4] Admur 26:3 regarding one who is traveling; M”A 27:1; Rosh Tefillin 15
[5] See Shulchan Hatahor 26:1 that he must also wear his Tefillin Shel Rosh again together with the Shel Yad.
[6] Admur 26:4-5; Ketzos Hashulchan ibid
[7] Admur 26:5; Rama 26:2; Tur 26
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that he is recite two blessings on the Tefillin Shel Yad, Lehaniach tefillin and Al Mitzvas Tefillin. [M”B 26:3 in name of P”M 256 A”A 1 in first opinion; See Teshuvah of Mahariy Levi, brought in Taz 25:6]
[8] See Siddur Admur [Letter 15 in Raskin]; Sefer Haminhagim p. 5; Chapter 3 Halacha 2C
[9] Admur 26:4-5; Michaber 26:2
Ruling of Tzemach Tzedek: See Tzemach Tzedek 6 that one without an arm is to say the blessing of Lehaniach on the Shel Rosh, and seemingly the same should apply here. [Piskeiy Teshuvos 26 footnote 1]
[10] Background of Ashkenazi versus Sephardi custom: According to the Ashkenazi custom explained in 25:13-18, one who is only putting on the Tefillin Shel Rosh is to recite two blessings over it; Lehaniach Tefillin and Al Mitzvas Tefillin. [Admur 26:4; Rama 26:2] Other Poskim however rule that even if one only puts on the Tefillin Shel Rosh, he is to only say the blessing of Al Mitzvas Tefillin. [Admur 26:5; Michaber 26:2] Practically, the custom in the Ashkenazi communities is like the first opinion. [Admur 26:5] However the Sefaradi and Chabad custom is like the second opinion here, and so we ruled above.
[11] Based on Admur 26:3
[12] Shvus Yaakov 1:2; M”B 34:5; Kaf Hachaim 26:2
[13] Shvus Yaakov 1:2; M”B 34:5
[14] Kaf Hachaim 26:2
