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A. Erotic thoughts:[1]
One who wears Tefillin must beware not to entertain erotic thoughts of women.[2] [This applies even regarding one’s own wife.[3]] If one is unable to control himself [for even the mere span of time it takes to place them on and then remove them] it is better for him not to wear the Tefillin at all.[4] However, this only applies if one knows for certain that he will be troubled by such thoughts; if there is only a doubt then one should not refrain from fulfilling the Mitzvah of Tefillin.[5] [Nevertheless, even such a person that knows for certain will be troubled by erotic thoughts, must try to clear his mind to the point that he is able to put on Tefillin, and if he does not do so, he will be held accountable for causing this exemption.[6]]
Q&A If one is having such thoughts while wearing Tefillin, are the Tefillin to be removed?[7] No, one is not obligated to remove his Tefillin, and rather is to try his best to remove such thoughts from his mind. |
May people non-religious people put on Tefillin if they probably will have erotic thoughts?[8] Yes. There is no foundation to say that a person who is not religious will be unable to control his thoughts even during the short time of his wearing the Tefillin, and on the contrary most people who do something new and only on occasion are excited by it and pay attention and focus on what they’re doing and do not entertain as other thoughts at the time. Furthermore, even if such a worry existed, this worry is a mere doubt and does not overcome the definite Mitzvah of him wearing them, as stated above that only if one is certain that he will have bad thoughts is he to abstain from wearing them. |
[1] Admur 38:4; Michaber and Rama 38:4
[2] Admur ibid; Michaber ibid
[3] Salmas Chaim 44
[4] Admur ibid; Rama ibid; See Kaf Hachaim 38:13
Other Poskim: Some Poskim rule he is obligated to wear Tefillin at least for the recital of Shema even in such a case. [Kneses Hagedola 38:2; brought in Shalmei Tzibur; Yifei Laleiv 38:3; Kaf Hachaim ibid]
[5] Admur ibid; M”A 38:4
[6] Chesed Lealafim, brought in Kaf Hachaim 38:12
[7] See Shulchan Hatahor 38:2
[8] See Likkutei Sichos 6:271 and Igros Kodesh 14:52, printed in Shulchan Menachem 1:113 and 125
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