Tefillin & Its Significance

Tefillin are a set of small black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah. Jewish men wear them during weekday morning prayers as part of their religious obligations and connection to G-d.

The tefillin consist of one part for the head, and one to be worn on the arm with the box pointing towards the heart, symbolizing the dedication of mind and heart to G-d's service, as a covenant with G-d. The commandment to don tefillin is a daily one, not including Shabbat and other holidays, which is usually worn for services in the morning, but technically combining those two mitzvahs is not necessary. 

Tefillin may look like solid boxes, but while there is some significance of the casing, the most important part of the tefillin on both the head and the arm is that they contain a set of 4 scrolls with verses of the Torah written on parchment. 

The commandment to wear tefillin is found in the Torah, specifically in four passages: Exodus 13:1-10, Exodus 13:11-16, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, and Deuteronomy 11:13-21.

In order for tefillin to be kosher, the verses need to be written with special ink on parchment made of a kosher animal by a trained scribe, known as a sofer, in a state of ritual purity. The boxes and straps also have requirements of using kosher leather, made hides without holes or tears, and to be dyed black. Mehadrin kosher tefillin are an even higher standard to check that not only is each step done perfectly, but the materials are better quality such that everything will a lifetime.

The Shema

The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) is the central declaration of the Jewish faith, proclaiming the oneness of G-d. It instructs:

"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes."

These verses form the foundation for the mitzvah (commandment) of tefillin, symbolizing the binding of one's mind and actions to G-d's will.

Oral Torah

While the biblical verses command the wearing of tefillin, it is the Talmud that provides the detailed understanding and practical guidance necessary for its observance. Without the Talmud's explanations, the commandment would remain abstract and difficult to implement, as the Torah does not provide detailed instructions on how to fulfill this commandment, leaving many questions unanswered, such as:

• What are the tefillin supposed to look like?
• How should they be worn?
• What specific texts should be included within them?
• When and how often should they be worn?

The Talmud addresses these questions in detail. It explains why tefillin must be made of black leather and how they should be placed (Menachot 34b-35a), identifies the specific verses to be written inside (Brachot 6a), and clarifies the nature of their obligation (Kiddushin 34a).

In contemporary times, the practice of wearing tefillin remains a vital expression of Jewish identity and spirituality. For many, it serves as a daily mitzvah that fosters mindfulness, discipline, and a deepened connection to G-d. Tefillin also act as a tangible link to Jewish heritage, preserving a practice that has been passed down through generations.

Given their daily use and incredible significance, a common bar mitzvah gift or father's day present will be of a personalized tallit/tefillin bag to store them safely and decoratively.

The Surge in Observance After October 7

The tragic events of October 7, marked by violence and loss, led to a resurgence in the observance of tefillin among Jews worldwide. This renewed commitment is deeply rooted in the association that the mitzvah of tefillin carries a divine promise of protection and reward, particularly the blessing of living in Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel), as outlined in the Shema.

This is why Jewish organizations around the world were seeing Jews of all stripes saw record high attendance for regular services, and saw a high demand for not only tefillin but also mezuzahs, that are mentioned in the Shema too.

Through tefillin, Jews around the world reaffirm and strengthen their bond to G-d, to each other, and to the eternal promise of Eretz Yisrael.

If you're looking to get a fresh pair of tefillin, check out what we've got on offer of kosher tefillin for every background.