*As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases.
- When to wear the Tefillin-Before or after the Tallis?[1]
After[2] wearing the Tallis Gadol [prior to Shacharis] one is to wear the Tefillin.[3] One must wear his Tallis before wearing his Tefillin being that the Tallis is a more common Mitzvah.[4] Other Poskim[5], however, rule that one must wear the Tefillin prior to wearing Tzitzis being that Tefillin has greater holiness and contains the acceptance of the yoke of Heaven. One who desires to fulfill his obligation according to all is to wear his Tallis Katan prior to the Tefillin, wear the Tefillin and then wear the Tallis Gadol.[6] However the custom of the world is to wear the Tallis Gadol prior to wearing the Tefillin.[7] [Likewise, based on Kabala one is to always wear the Tallis Katan and Gadol before the Tefillin.[8] Accordingly, it is a grave prohibition to wear the Tefillin before wearing Tzitzis.[9] This is the practical ruling of most Poskim[10] and so is the custom of all Jewry.[11]]
How to set up one’s Tallis & Tefillin bag?[12] [In compliance with the above Halacha], one who places his Tallis and Tefillin bag in the same bag/vessel is to initially be careful not to set up his Tefillin bag on top of his Tallis.[13] [The same applies whenever one removes his Tallis and Tefillin, such as to go to the bathroom during Davening, that one is to be careful to place his Tallis on top of his Tefillin and not the opposite.]
Encountered the Tefillin prior to the Tallis:[14] If one was not careful in the above and placed the Tefillin on top of the Tallis, then if the Tefillin are inside their bag, one is to nevertheless wear the Tallis prior to wearing the Tefillin.[15] However, if the Tefillin are revealed and are sitting outside their casing on top of the Tallis, it is forbidden[16] to bypass the Mitzvah of Tefillin that has now come to his hands, and he is thus required to wear the Tefillin prior to wearing the Tallis. [The above is according to the revealed ruling of Torah, however according to Kabala, one is always to wear his Tallis before his Tefillin.[17] Thus, according to Kabala, even if he already lifted his Tefillin and the Tefillin are uncovered, he is to nevertheless place them down and wear the Tallis first. Some Poskim[18] however conclude that in such a case one is to follow the Halachic ruling and wear the Tefillin.]
If one does not yet have his Tallis:[19] If one currently has his Tefillin with him and does not yet have his Tallis in front of him, he is not required to wait until he receives his Tallis in order to precede it to the wearing of the Tefillin, and rather he is to immediately wear the Tefillin and when his Tallis arrives he is to wear the Tallis.[20]
Â
 Summary: One is to always wear a Tallis Katan/Gadol prior to wearing the Tefillin. This applies even if one held on to the Tefillin bag prior to the Tallis. If, however, one took hold of his uncovered Tefillin prior to wearing the Tallis, then he is to wear the Tefillin first. [However, according to Kabbala, one is to wear the Tallis first even in such a case.]  Q&A Must one wear his Tallis or Tefillin right away once he takes it in his hand to put on? Some Poskim[21] write that one may not delay wearing the Tallis or Tefillin once it is already in his hands.[22] [Thus, one is not to place his Tallis on his shoulders and then speak idle talk prior to wearing it.] This same Posek however writes elsewhere[23] that the prohibition against passing over a Mitzvah does not apply towards preceding a mundane activity. This matter requires further analysis.  Must one wear his Tallis or Tefillin right away if he accidently took them into his hand?[24] No. [25]  If one is wearing Tefillin later on in the day, or prior to Davening in order to recite Kerias Shema, must he also wear his Tallis Gadol beforehand?[26] No, and so is the custom of Gedolei Yisrael who would wear Tefillin without the Tallis in order to be Yotzei Shema before Davening.[27] If one took hold of the straps prior to the Tallis, must he wear the Tefillin before the Tallis?[28] No. If one placed his Tallis on his shoulder and then absentmindedly took out his Tefillin, what is he to wear first?[29] He is to let go of his Tefillin and first wear his Tallis. If one is already holding his Tallis or Tefillin in his hand, may he stop to give Tzedaka to a pauper?[30] Yes, one may do so if the opportunity will pass if he does not do so at that time. If one took out his Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin prior to Rashi, which pair is he to wear first?[31] He is to wear his Rashi Tefillin first even in such a case.  |
[1] Admur 25:1-7; Ketzos Hashulchan 8:4; See Hisvadyus 5742 3:1506
[2] In 25:1 Admur records “immediately after”, as writes the Tur and is explained in the Bach. However, in the Siddur Admur omits the word “immediately” as omits the Michaber 25:1
[3] Admur 25:1 and Siddur Admur; Michaber 25:1; Tur 25; Nimukei Yosef Tzitzis; Reishis Chochmah Shaar Hakedusha 6:44
[4] Admur 25:2; 2nd reason in Beis Yosef 25 and in Nimukei Yosef Hilchos Tzitzis; Taz 25:1; Yad Efraim 25:1
The explanation: The Mitzvah of Tzitzis is more common, as it is accustomed both during the week and on Shabbos, while Tefillin is not customary during Shabbos and Yom Tov, and a Tadir [common] Mitzvah receives precedence to a less Tadir Mitzvah. [Admur ibid; Nimukei Yosef ibid; Brachos 28a; 51b]
Other reasons-Reason two: Alternatively, the Tefillin are worn after the Tallis because one must be Maalin Bekodesh and not Moridin. [Michaber 25:1; Likkutei Maharil; Mahariv; Zohar, brought in Biur Hagra; omitted from Admur ibid; Omitted from Beis Yosef 25; Shaagas Aryeh 28 and Degul Merivava 25 argue on this reason of the Michaber ibid as on the contrary, due to this reason one is specifically to wear the Tefillin first as stated in Zevachim 89a; See also Yad Efraim ibid that one cannot say that Maalin Bekodesh is the main reason being that this rule only applies within a single mitzvah, such as lighting another candle each night of Chanukah. However, between two different Mitzvos, the concept of Maalin Bekodesh does not apply. See the following Poskim who answer the questions against the Michaber ibid: Shaareiy Tzedek 3; Os Chaim Veshalom 25:1; Har Tzevi 1:20; Ratz Katzevi 1:1] According to this reason, if for whatever reason one is unable to wear the Tallis and Tefillin one after the other without a break in between, then he is to first wear the Tefillin. [Os Chaim Veshalom ibid]
Other reasons-Reason three: Alternatively, the reason is because Tzitzis correspond to the 613 Mitzvos. [1st reason in Besi Yosef 25; Nimukei Yosef ibid]
Hints from scripture: The verse states “Mechut Ad Seruch Naal” and “Vehayu Hatufim Lelavan vehakeshurim Leyaakov”, meaning that first one wears the Tallis which is white and then Tefillin which is black. [Ateres Zekeinim 25]
[5] Opinion in Admur 25:5, omitted in Siddur Admur; Nimukei Yosef in name of Ritva
[6] Admur 25:6; Michaber 25:2; Levush 25:3
[7] Admur 25:7; Rama 25:2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
[8] Rav Chaim Vital in name of Arizal brought in Shaar Hakavanos Tzitzis 2 and Peri Eitz Chaim Shaar Hatzitzis 3 and Shaar Hatefila 7, and Nagid Mitzvah brought in Kaf Hachaim 25:1 and 7 and 12; Zohar brought in Arizal ibid and Beis Yosef, Birkeiy Yosef 25; Yad Ahron 25; See Os Chaim Veshalom 25:4 that this applies specifically prior to Davening
The reason: As Tzitzis is Mochin Dekatnus while Tefillin is Mochin Degadlus and hence the Tefillin must be preceded by the Tallis. [Arizal ibid]
Other customs of Mekubalim: Some Mekubalim were accustomed to wear only the Tallis Katan before the Tefillin. [Beis Yosef 25:1 in name of Gedolei Mekubalei Sefarad; brought and negated in Shaar Hakavanos ibid; See Os Chaim Veshalom 25:3]
[9] Beis Yosef, in name of Iggur and Zohar Bamidbar
[10] Admur in Siddur [omits other opinion]; Olas Tamid 25:1; Birkeiy Yosef 25:4 and in Kesher Gudal 3:1; Shalmei Tzibur. 37b; Siddur Beis Oved; Chesed Lealafim 25:1; Ben Ish Chaiy Vayeira 3; Kaf Hachaim 25:1
[11] See Kaf Hachaim ibid that this is the custom of even Sephardic Jewry.
[12] Admur 25:2; Michaber 25:1; Nimukei Yosef Tzitzis in name of Ritva
[13] The reason: This is done in order so one does not encounter his Tefillin prior to encountering the Tallis and then be required to bypass the Mitzvah of Tefillin in order to wear the Tzitzis prior to wearing the Tefillin, as the Mitzvah of Tzitzis is more common, as it is accustomed both during the week and on Shabbos, while Tefillin is not customary during Shabbos and Yom Tov, and a Tadir [common] Mitzvah receives precedence to a less Tadir Mitzvah. [Admur ibid]
[14] Admur 25:3; M”A 25:1
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that in all cases that the Tefillin were placed on top of the Tallis one must first wear the Tefillin, even if the Tefillin are covered. [Michaber 25:1] The reason for this is because the precedence given to the Tallis over the Tefillin is a mere Asmachta, Rabbinical support, and therefore it is differed in order so one not come to bypass a Mitzvah. [Taz 25:1]
[15] The reason: Doing so is not considered that one is bypassing a Mitzvah being that the Tefillin are covered and still found within their casing. [Admur ibid] Nevertheless, initially, since one is not to delay a Mitzvah that has come to his hand therefore, as said above, one is set up the Tallis closer than the Tefillin.
[16] Is this prohibition Biblical or Rabbinical? Some Poskim rule it is a Biblical prohibition to bypass a Mitzvah even for the sake of another Mitzvah. [Tosafus Yuma 33; Meanchos 64; Zevachim 51; Levush 25; Nachalas Binyamin 86; See Miaseif Lechol Hamachanos 25:16] Other Poskim rule it is only a Rabbinical prohibition. [Radbaz 1:529; 2:589; Yad Melachi 3:3; brought in Kaf Hachaim 25:9]
[17] Soles Belula 25:1; Yofei Laleiv 25:6; Ben Ish Chaiy Vayeira 4; Torah Lishma 1; Kaf Hachaim 25:7
[18] Ashel Avraham Butchach, brought in Piskeiy Teshuvos 25:4; Ketzos Hashulchan 8:4 rules as writes Admur despite the ruling of Kabala
[19] Admur 25:4; Rama 25:1
[20] The reason: As one may not delay the fulfillment of a Mitzvah. This applies even though one can claim that delaying the Mitzvah will allow it to be fulfilled in a better way, Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar. The reason for this is because a Mitzvah that is done in its proper time is more beloved. [Admur ibid; M”A 25:1] See however Admur 94:5 that later hiddur overrides Zerizin Makdimim; See Likkutei Sichos 19 p. 76 in footnote 73 that both rulings are correct, as in 25:4 it discusses an external Hiddur of preceding the Tallis which is Tadir, and in 94:5 it discusses a Hiddur in the actual Mitzvah
[21] Turei Even Megillah 6b; Piskeiy Teshuvos 25:4 footnote 41
[22] The reason: As if one may not pass over one Mitzvah for the sake of another Mitzvah then certainly one may not Passover a Mitzvah for the sake of a non-Mitzvah.Â
[23] Shagaas Aryeh 28
[24] Admur 25:6 and M”A 25:4 regarding if one accidently took hold of the Tallis Gadol prior to going to Shul.
[25] The reason: As he does not intend to wear the Tallis at the current moment and is thus not considered like one who is Maavir Al Hamitzvah. [ibid]
[26] Os Chaim Veshalom 25:4
[27] The reason: As the adherence of the Zohar only applies by Shacharis. Furthermore, according to the final ruling above in Admur one who wants to be Yotzei all opinions is to specifically wear the Tefillin after the Tallis Katan, before the Tallis Gadol.
[28] Ashel Avraham Butchach, brought in Piskeiy Teshuvos 25:4
[29] Turei Even ibid, brought in Piskeiy Teshuvos 25 footnote 42
[30] Piskeiy Teshuvos 25 footnote 44
[31] Shaareiy Teshuvah 34:6 in name of Birkeiy Yosef; Ashel Avraham Butchach 25