If one’s Tefillin arm was amputated R”L:[1]

Above bicep:[2] If [a right-handed person’s] left arm [onto which he would wrap Tefillin] was amputated past the bicep, then he is exempt from donning the arm Tefillin [and is thus not required to do so even] on his right arm. [He is nevertheless obligated to wear the head Tefillin with a blessing of Al Mitzvas Tefillin.[3] The above law only applies if the left arm was amputated, however if the right arm was amputated even entirely, the person is to wear the Tefillin on his left arm with a blessing. This applies even if he was originally a lefty.[4] See Q&A regarding if a righty or lefty’s non-Tefillin arm was amputated.]

Below bicep: If his left arm was amputated from below the bicep [i.e. from below the elbow] then it is disputed as to whether he is obligated to don the arm Tefillin. Some Poskim[5] rule that he is obligated to wear the hand Tefillin on his bicep. (Some Poskim[6] rule that is to be worn on the left bicep, while other Poskim[7] rule that it is to be worn on the right bicep.[8]) Other Poskim[9], however, rule that he is completely exempt from wearing the hand Tefillin.[10] Practically, one is to be stringent by a Torah matter and don the Tefillin [on both arms[11]] but without a blessing.[12] [Alternatively, one is to say a blessing on the Shel Rosh and include the Shel Yad.[13] Some Poskim[14] rule that the above dispute applies even if only the hand was amputated and the forearm and bicep remain. Other Poskim[15], however, rule that if only the hand was amputated and the forearm and bicep remain, then everyone agrees that one is to wear the Tefillin on his left arm with a blessing. The above law only applies to if the left hand was amputated however if the right hand was amputated, then everyone agrees that the Tefillin is to be worn on the left arm with a blessing even if he was originally a lefty, as stated above.]

Q&A What is the law if one’s Tefillin arm became paralyzed?[16] If a person’s Tefillin arm has become permanently paralyzed, then he is to nevertheless to continue to wear the Tefillin on that arm with a blessing.[17] If, however, the Tefillin arm has lost all blood flow, then some Poskim[18] rule that is considered nonexistent and follows the same law explained above regarding one whose entire arm was amputated. Practically, if a righty’s left arm became paralyzed to this point, he is to wear the Tefillin on his left arm without a blessing.[19]  What is the law if one’s non-Tefillin arm became paralyzed? He is to wear the Tefillin on his left arm with a blessing and after the prayers he is to wear the Tefillin on his right arm. This applies for both a righty and a lefty. What is the law if both of one’s arms became paralyzed?[20] Some Poskim[21] rule that in such a case he is to wear the Tefillin on his left arm even if he is a lefty and was accustomed until now to wear it on his right arm. Other Poskim[22], however, rule that he is to continue to wear it on whichever arm he wore it prior to the paralysis [a righty on the left arm and a lefty on the right arm]. Practically, one is to wear it on his left arm, and if he was born a lefty then after Davening, he should also wear the Tefillin on the right arm.[23] What is the law if one was born with both arms paralyzed?[24] If a person r”l was born with both arms paralyzed, then he is to have his Tefillin placed on his left arm. What is the law if one was born without a hand/arm?[25] Without a hand, but with forearm and bicep:[26] If a person was born r”l without a right hand but with a forearm, then if nevertheless that arm is considered his stronger arm, then he is to wear the Tefillin on his left arm with a blessing, even if he does the majority of his actions with his left arm due to lack of choice. Nevertheless, after the prayers he is to wear the Tefillin also on his right arm.[27] Without an arm, until bicep:[28] If a person was born r”l without a right hand or forearm, then if nevertheless that arm is considered his stronger arm, then he is to wear the Tefillin on his left arm with a blessing, even if he does the majority of his actions with his left arm due to lack of choice. Nevertheless, after the prayers he is to wear the Tefillin also on his right arm. Without an arm until shoulder:[29] One who was born without a left arm from the shoulder area and down [and hence does not have a bicep] is to wear Tefillin without a blessing on his right arm, [and recite a blessing of Al Mitzvas Tefillin on his Shel Rosh]. [However, if he was born without a right arm, then he is to wear the Tefillin on his left arm with a blessing.[30]]   What is the law if a righty’s right arm [i.e. non-Tefillin arm] was amputated or became immobilized?[31] *The law regarding if the Tefillin arm, which by a righty is his left arm, became amputated or immobilized is the original Halacha discussed above, and in previous Q&A [see there for details]. This question deals with the law in the case that his non-Tefillin arm, which is his right arm, became amputated or immobilized r”l. Temporary immobilization:[32] If a righty’s right arm became temporarily immobilized, then he is obligated to arrange for someone to help him put his Tefillin on his left arm as usual. It is to be worn with a blessing.[33] Permanent immobilization:[34] If a righty’s right arm became permanently immobilized, then it is debated as to which arm he is to wear the Tefillin.[35] Practically, he is to wear the Tefillin on his left arm with a blessing, even if he does the majority of his actions with his left arm due to lack of choice. Nevertheless, after the prayers he is to wear the Tefillin also on his right arm.[36] Amputation of entire right arm:[37] If a righty’s right arm became completely amputated r”l, he is nevertheless to continue wearing the Tefillin on his left arm with a blessing even though he now does all of his actions with his left arm. Amputation of hand/forearm:[38] If a righty’s right hand or forearm was amputated, then if the person still retains a right bicep, then if nevertheless his right arm is considered his stronger arm, then he is to wear the Tefillin on his left arm with a blessing, even if he does the majority of his actions with his left arm due to lack of choice. Nevertheless, after the prayers he is to wear the Tefillin also on his right arm. This applies even if the person has an artificial right arm.   What is the law if a lefty’s arm [i.e. non-Tefillin arm] was amputated or became immobilized?[39] *The law regarding if the Tefillin arm, which by a lefty is his right arm, became amputated or immobilized is the original Halacha discussed above, and in previous Q&A [see there for details]. This question deals with the law in the case that his non-Tefillin arm, which is his left arm, became amputated or immobilized r”l. Temporary immobilization:[40] If a lefty’s left arm became temporarily immobilized, then he is obligated to arrange for someone to help him put his Tefillin on his left arm as usual. It is to be worn with a blessing.[41] Permanent immobilization:[42] If a lefty’s left arm became permanently immobilized, then he is to wear the Tefillin on his left arm with a blessing. Nevertheless, after the prayers he is to wear the Tefillin also on his right arm.  Amputation of entire left arm:[43] If a lefty’s left arm became completely amputated r”l, he is to wear the Tefillin on his right arm without a blessing. This applies even if the person has an artificial left arm. Amputation of left hand/forearm:[44] If a lefty’s left hand or forearm was amputated, then if the person still retains a left bicep, then if nevertheless his right arm is considered his stronger arm, then he is to wear the Tefillin on his left arm with a blessing, even if he does the majority of his actions with his left arm due to lack of choice. Nevertheless, after the prayers he is to wear the Tefillin also on his right arm. This applies even if the person has an artificial left hand/forearm.

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[1] Admur 27:3; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 27:16; Dinei Iter 5:20

[2] Admur ibid; M”A 27:3; Bach 27; Piskei Rid Menachos 37a; Piskei Riaz Tefillin 27; Biur Hagr”a 27:6; Panim Meiros 3:11; Siddur Beis Oved 6; See Eretz Tzevi 9; Chikrei Halachos 5:32; Kaf Hachaim 27:5

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that in such a case he is to wear the Tefillin on his right arm. [Tiferes Shmuel on Rosh Tefillin 18 in name of Rasha, brought in Pischei Olam 27:4 and Kaf Hachaim ibid] Practically, the Kaf Hachaim ibid concludes to wear the Tefillin on the right arm without a blessing.

[3] Shagas Aryeh 37; Machazik Bracha 27:1; Siddur Beis Oved 7; Shaareiy Teshuvah 27:4; Kaf Hachaim 27:5; Iter Yad 5:20

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that in such a case he is even exempt from wearing the head Tefillin. [Tzemach Tzedek 5, brought in Kaf Hachaim ibid] Practically, the Kaf Hachaim ibid negates this ruling saying that it is against the implication of all the Poskim.

[4] Tzemach Tzedek O.C. 1:5 letter 8 and 11 based on Admur 651; M”B 27:6; Eretz Tzevi 1:9 that so is implied from Admur 27:3; Imrei Yosher 2:15; Igros Kodesh 29:93 that one even recites a blessing; Sefer Dinei Iter 5:20, 23

[5] 1^st opinion in Admur ibid; Bach 27; Tosafus Menachos 37a, brought in Or Zarua 1:577

[6] 1^st opinion in Admur ibid; Implication of Bach 27 and Elya Raba 27:2; Tzemach Tzedek O.C. 5

[7] 2^nd opinion in Admur ibid; M”A 27:3

[8] Admur ibid, parentheses in original [Admur rules in parentheses that it is to be donned on his left arm while in the next parentheses he brings that the Magen Avraham rules that it is to be placed on his right arm.]; Meaning, that even according to those opinions who say that the person remains obligated to wear the hand Tefillin in such a case, it is disputed whether he is to don the arm Tefillin on his right arm [not amputated] or left arm [the amputated arm].

[9] 2^nd opinion in Admur ibid; M”A 27:3 in name of Yireim and Mordechai; Shut Rama 124; Or Zarua ibid brought in Darkei Moshe 27

[10] The reason: As the Torah [Shemos 13:9] states “Al Yadecha/Above the arm,” which refers to the bicep, and thus since he does not have an arm [for it to be placed above it] therefore he is completely exempt from wearing the hand Tefillin. [Admur ibid]

[11] Minchas Shlomo 2:4; Piskeiy Teshuvah 27:16; However, see Chikrei Halachos ibid that the main opinion of Admur is to wear it only on the left arm

[12] Admur ibid; Rama 27:1; See Tzemach Tzedek 7

[13] Kaf Hachaim 27:7; Piskeiy Teshuvos 27:16 based on Biur Halacha 27:1 “Belo Bracha”

[14] P”M 27 A”A 3; Tzemach Tzedek O.C. 5:2;Minchas Shlomo 2:4-5; Sefer Dinei Iter 5:20

[15] M”B 27:5 and Biur Halacha 27:1 “Sheiyn Lo” that so applies even accoridng to Or Zarua; Piskeiy Teshuvos 27:16

[16] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 27:16; Dinei Iter 5:29-32 for various cases

[17] Igros Moshe 1:8; Conclusion of Piskeiy Teshuvos 27:16; Conclusion of Dinei Iter 5:30; See M”B 27:22 based on Degul Merivava; However, from some Poskim it can be understood that we view the arm as if it is non-existent, and hence the Tefillin must be worn on the other arm: See Sheiris Yehuda 2; Tzemach Tzedek O.C. 5; Imrei Yosher 2:14; Aruch Hashulchan 27:17; Divrei Yoel 1:3; Rav Akiva Eiger Tinyana 61; Peri Megadim 651 A”A 10; Kaf Hachaim 27:9; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 127

[18] Avnei Nezer 1:1; Minchas Elazar 4:57; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 135; Dinei Iter 5:25

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that one is nevertheless to continue wearing the Tefillin on his left arm. [Imrei Yosher 2:14; Beis Shlomo E.H. 148; See Sefer Iter Yad 5:25]

[19] Iter Yad 5:25

[20] See Sefer Iter Yad 5:31

[21] Maharsham 2:240; Divrei Yoel 1:3; Minchas Yitzchak 10:1; Piskeiy Teshuvos 27:16

[22] Ohel Yehoshua 1:17-5

[23] Implication of Tzemach Tzedek 4, 5 and 12; Conclusion of Iter Yad 5:31

[24] Maharsham 2:240; Divrei Yoel 1:3; Minchas Yitzchak 10:1; Piskeiy Teshuvos 27:16

[25] See Sheiris Yehuda 2; Tzemach Tzedek O.C. 5; Divrei Nechemia

[26] Sheiris Yehuda 2; Divrei Nechemia 11; Tzemach Tzedek 5 [The above answers were given in response to Rav Baruch Shalom, the eldest son of the Tzemach Tzedek, who was born without a right hand]; Pischei Olam 4; Kaf Hachaim 27:9; Iter Yad 5:22

[27] Tzemach Tzedek ibid

[28] Dinei Iter Yad 5:21 based on Poskim in previous footnotes

[29] Shvus Yaakov 1:3 that it is possible in such a case that everyone agree it is obligated to wear the hand Tefillin on his impact on and hence when his to do so due to the doubt; Yad Aaron; Kaf Hachaim 27:7; Iter Yad 5:21

[30] Tzemach Tzedek O.C. 1:5; Sefer Dinei Iter 5:21

[31] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 27:16; Iter Yad 5:22

[32] Misgeres Zahav on Kitzur SHU”A 9:5; Kaf Hachaim 27:8; Iter Yad 5:26; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 27:16 that according to some Poskim, a temporary mobilization the forces want to change his handedness, also changes which hand he is to put the Tefillin on. Nonetheless he concludes in footnote 128 that the custom is not this way. See Dinei Iter 5:28

[33] See Igros Kodesh 29 p. 93

[34] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 27:16; Iter Yad 5:29

[35] Some Poskim rule that he now becomes a lefty, and must thus wear the Tefillin on his right arm. [Degul Merivav 27; M”B 27:22] Other Poskim, however, rule that needs to continue to wear it on his left arm. [Imrei Yosher 2:14; See all Poskim in Piskeiy Teshuvos 27 footnote 127]

[36] Conclusion of Iter Yad ibid; See Tzemach Tzedek O.C. 5:11

[37] Tzemach Tzedek O.C. 1:5 letter 8 and 11 based on Admur 651; M”B 27:6; Eretz Tzevi 1:9 that so is implied from Admur 27:3; Imrei Yosher 2:15; Igros Kodesh 29:93 that one even recites a blessing; Sefer Dinei Iter 5:20, 23

[38] Poskim in previous Q&A regarding one who was born without this part of the arm and the same applies if it was amputated r”l; Dinei Iter Yad 5:21; See Degul Merivav 27; M”B 27:22; Piskeiy Teshuvos 27:16

[39] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 27:16

[40] Misgeres Zahav on Kitzur SHU”A 9:5; Kaf Hachaim 27:8; Iter Yad 5:26; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 27:16 that according to some Poskim, a temporary mobilization the forces want to change his handedness, also changes which hand he is to put the Tefillin on. Nonetheless he concludes in footnote 128 that the custom is not this way. See Dinei Iter 5:28

[41] See Igros Kodesh 29 p. 93

[42] Iter Yad 5:29; See Poskim in previous Q&A regarding right arm

[43] Iter Yad 5:24

[44] Minchas Yitzchak 10:1; Cheshev Haeiphod 3:77; Betzel Hachochma 6:1; Shevet Halevi 7:7; Tzitz Eliezer 18:2; Mishneh Halachos 13:7; Piskeiy Teshuvos 27:16; Iter Yad 5:22

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