Halachah 1 — Placement of the Head Tefillin
The head tefillin are placed:
- at the beginning of the hairline toward the face,
- on the part of the skull where an infant’s brain pulsates.
They must be centered on the head, aligned “between the eyes.”
The knot of the head tefillin rests at the base of the skull, at the top of the neck.
Halachah 2 — Placement of the Arm Tefillin
The arm tefillin are tied on the left arm, on the muscle between the shoulder and elbow.
When the arm is pressed against the body, the tefillin should be opposite the heart, fulfilling the verse: “And these words shall be upon your heart.”
Halachah 3 — Incorrect Placement and Left‑Handed Persons
One who places:
- arm tefillin on the palm, or
- head tefillin on the forehead,
follows the practice of the Sadducees.
Rounded tefillin are completely invalid.
A left‑handed person places tefillin on his right arm.
An ambidextrous person places them on his literal left arm.
The places of placement are part of the Oral Tradition.
Halachah 4 — Independence of the Two Mitzvot and the Blessings
The absence of one tefillah does not prevent wearing the other.
Blessings:
- On arm tefillin: “…to put on tefillin.”
- On head tefillin: “…concerning the mitzvah of tefillin.”
Halachah 5 — Order of Wearing and Blessing
If wearing both:
- One recites only one blessing: “…to put on tefillin.”
Sequence:
- Tie the arm tefillin,
- Then place the head tefillin.
Removal is done in reverse: head first, then arm.
Halachah 6 — Speaking Between Arm and Head
After tying the arm tefillin and reciting the blessing, one may not speak until the head tefillin are placed.
If he speaks, he must recite a second blessing on the head tefillin.
Halachah 7 — Repeating the Blessing
Each time tefillin are put on—even multiple times in one day—a blessing is recited.
The blessing is recited before tying, since tying completes the mitzvah.
Halachah 8 — Ordering Tefillin in Their Case
One should not place arm tefillin below head tefillin in the case.
The arm tefillin should be on top, since one must put it on first.
One may not ignore a mitzvah that comes first to one’s hand.
Halachah 9 — Sanctity of the Tefillin Case
A case made for and used for tefillin becomes holy and may not be used for mundane purposes.
A case that was intended but never used—or used temporarily without intent—does not become holy.
It is forbidden to hang tefillin directly, but one may hang their bag.
Halachah 10 — Time for Wearing Tefillin
Tefillin are worn by day, not by night.
They are not worn on Shabbat or festivals, since those days are themselves “signs.”
The time begins when one can recognize another person at four cubits and continues until sunset.
Halachah 11 — Wearing Near Nightfall
One who put tefillin on before sunset may continue wearing them after nightfall, even all night.
This ruling is not taught publicly.
Putting on tefillin after sunset constitutes a biblical transgression.
Halachah 12 — Sunset on Shabbat
If sunset occurs while traveling or in a study hall, one should cover the tefillin with his hand until reaching a safe place, then remove them.
If no safe location exists, he may continue wearing them temporarily to protect them.
Halachah 13 — Who Is Obligated or Exempt
Those exempt from Shema are also exempt from tefillin.
A minor who can guard tefillin should be trained to wear them.
Exempt:
- those with intestinal difficulty,
- those in pain or great distress,
- priests, Levites, and Israelites engaged in Temple service.
All ritually impure individuals are obligated like the pure.
Halachah 14 — Constant Awareness
One must touch tefillin periodically to avoid distraction.
Their sanctity exceeds that of tzitzit, since tefillin contain God’s Name many times.
Halachah 15 — Clean Body and Sleep
A clean body is required—no passing gas.
Sleeping while wearing tefillin is forbidden, even a nap,
unless they are covered, one’s wife is absent, and one sleeps seated.
Halachah 16 — Sleeping and Eating
If tefillin are wound on the hand, one may sleep while wearing them.
One may eat a snack with tefillin, but must remove them for a fixed meal and replace them afterward.
Halachah 17 — Entering a Lavatory
One must remove tefillin before using a lavatory.
They should be carried wrapped in one’s garment, close to the heart, without straps protruding excessively.
Halachah 18 — Temporary Lavatories
In temporary lavatories, tefillin may not be carried in the hand and must be given to someone else to guard.
Methods are described to avoid splashing when urinating.
Halachah 19 — Evening or Night Lavatory
If no opportunity remains to re‑wear tefillin, they must be placed in a container taken into the lavatory.
The same applies at night.
Halachah 20 — Accidental Entry Into a Lavatory
If one forgets and enters wearing tefillin, he must cover them, complete the initial flow, exit, remove them, and then return.
Interrupting mid‑flow is dangerous.
Halachah 21 — Accidental Intercourse
If one had relations while wearing tefillin, he must first wash his hands before touching or removing them.
Halachah 22 — Entering a Bathhouse
Rules differ by area:
- clothed area: may wear,
- mixed area: may retain but not put on,
- naked area: must remove.
Halachah 23 — Cemeteries, Nakedness, and Burdens
One may not wear head tefillin:
- in a cemetery,
- within four cubits of a corpse,
- while naked,
- or while carrying a load on the head.
A hat may be worn over tefillin; a handkerchief may not.
Halachah 24 — Sexual Relations Near Sacred Items
Sexual relations are forbidden in a room containing tefillin or a Torah scroll, unless they are double‑wrapped properly.
They may be placed near one’s bed, between cushions, for protection.
Halachah 25 — Spiritual Effect of Tefillin
Tefillin cultivate humility, fear of Heaven, and moral clarity.
One should strive to wear tefillin as much of the day as possible.
Rav was praised for never walking four cubits without Torah, tzitzit, and tefillin.
Halachah 26 — Importance During Prayer and Reward
Tefillin are especially important during prayer.
To recite Shema without tefillin is likened to false testimony.
One who neglects tefillin violates eight positive commandments.
The reward of wearing tefillin is long life and divine protection.
