- Putting on the Tefillin Shel Yad before Shel Rosh:[1]
One is to first wear the Tefillin Shel Yad and only afterwards wear the Tefillin Shel Rosh. The precedence of the Shel Yad to the Shel Rosh is a Biblical requirement.[2]
One first touched the Shel Rosh:[3] Even in the event that one first encountered the Tefillin Shel Rosh, he is to bypass the Mitzvah and first wear the Tefillin Shel Yad.[4] [This applies even if he already held the Shel Rosh in his hand without a cover. However, initially, one is not to touch his Shel Rosh prior to his Shel Yad, and is hence to arrange his Tefillin bag in a way that the Shel Yad is encountered first, as explained in Halacha 19B!]
How much of the Tefillin Shel Yad is to be worn prior to the Tefillin Shel Rosh? The custom is to first wrap the strap around the forearm and palm, and only then put on the Shel Rosh. See Halacha 8G and 10A!
| Q&A If one accidentally placed on his Shel Rosh prior to his Shel Yad, is he to remove his Shel Rosh prior to wearing the Shel Yad?[5] Some Poskim[6] rule that he is required to first remove his Shel Rosh and only then is he to put on his Shel Yad and then wear his Shel Rosh. Other Poskim[7] rule that he may put on his Shel Yad without removing his Shel Rosh. Practically, one is not to remove his Shel Rosh prior to putting on his Shel Yad.[8] If, however, he has not yet said the blessing over the Tefillin, then he may remove the Shel Rosh and then wear the Shel Yad.[9] See Chapter 3 Halacha 2C regarding if the blessing of Lehaniach was said over the Shel Rosh. |
[1] Admur 25:12; Siddur Admur [Letter 10 in Raskin]; Michaber 25:5; Menachos 36a; Mechilta Bo 13; See Likkutei Sichos 19:47, brought in Shulchan Menachem 1:72-80, for a lengthy discourse on the subject, including A) its source in the Talmud versus the Mechilta. B) If this is a law on the person or a law on the Tefillin. C) The law if one first put on the head Tefillin. D)
[2] Admur ibid; Taz 25:5; Levush 25:1
The reason: As at first the verse [Devarim 6:8] states, “Tie them as a sign on your arm” and only afterwards does it state “And it shall be a Totafos/sign on between your eyes”. [Admur ibid]
[3] Admur 25:12 and 26; Michaber 25:6
Other customs: Some Poskim rule one is to first wear the head Tefillin in such a case in order so he does not bypass the Mitzvah. [Nimukei Yosef, brought in beis Yosef 28, Chesed Lealafim 25:5] We do not rule like this opinion. [Kaf Hachaim 25:42]
[4] The reason: Since the requirement to precede the Shal Yad to the Shel Rosh is Biblical as explained above from scripture, therefore it overrides the prohibition against bypassing the Mitzvah of the Shel Rosh in this regard. [Admur ibid]
[5] See Shaareiy Teshuvah 25:13; Biur Halacha 25:5 “Paga”; Kaf Hachaim 26:1; Divrei Shlomo 2:114; Afrakasta Deanya 2:1; Miasef Lekol Hamachanos 25:93; See Likkutei Sichos 19:47, brought in Shulchan Menachem 1:72-80 that the dispute is dependent on the understanding of why the order of first wearing the hand Tefillin was given, and if it is a law on the actual Tefillin or a law on the person, which is a dispute between the Talmud and Mechilta.
[6] M”A 684:5; Abudarham, brought in Taz 684:4; Halachos Ketanos 1:53; Artzos Hachaim 25; Shulchan Hatahor 25:10; Rav Poalim 1:4; Sefer Hachaim 25; Shevet Halevi 3:7; Poskim brought in M”B 25:23
[7] Taz 684:4; Elya Raba 684:2; Birkeiy Yosef 26:1 in name of Rav Malko; Kesher Guda 3:3; Shiyurei Bracha 25:3; Sheilas Yaavetz 125; Beis Shearim 1:23; Shaareiy Teshuvah 25:13; Rav Akiva Eigar 25; Peri Megadim 25 A”A 11; 684 M”Z 4 in name of Elya Raba; Maharshag 1:9; M”B 25:22; Biur Halacha 25:6 “Paga”; Poskim brought in Kaf Hachaim 26:1; Ketzos Hashulchan 8:6
[8] M”B ibid; Kaf Hachaim ibid
[9] P”M 25 A”A 7 and 11
