- Kissing the Tefillin:[1]
It is the custom of Sages to kiss the Tefillin when placing them on and when taking them off. [This custom should be followed by all Jewry.[2] The custom is to kiss the head Tefillin after removing it from its case, prior to placing it on the head after having worn the Tefillin Shel Yad.[3] One may kiss the Tefillin with his lips and so is the custom.[4] Some are accustomed to kiss the Tefillin three times. Many also kiss the Yud and Daled of the Tefillin.]
[1] Admur 28:10; Michaber 28:3; Abudarham; Orchos Chaim 11; Rabbeinu Tam in name of Rav Haiy Gaon; Levush 28; Elya Raba 28; Piskeiy Teshuvos 25:7 footnote 70
[2] Elya Raba 28
[3] Nimukei Orach Chaim 28:2; Igros Moshe 4:10; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 25:19 Footnote 143
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule one is not to kiss the head Tefillin prior to wearing them due to it being a Hefsek. [Shelah in Mitzvahs Tefillin p. 126 in name of his teacher]
[4] Heichal Menachem 1:209 answer of Rebbe in Yechidus, brought in Shulchan Menachem 1:30 footnote 7
Other customs: Some are accustomed not to kiss the Tefillin with their mouths due to worry that perhaps they will swallow some of the ink of the Tefillin. [Heichal Menachem ibid; Minhag of Belzer Rebbe]
