DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 522 KB)
Positioning the Knot of the Tefillin Shel Rosh and Kissing the Tefillin

Where precisely on the back of the head should one position the Dalet-shaped knot of the Tefillin Shel Rosh (Tefillin worn on the head)?

The Shulchan Aruch rules that at least part of the knot should be touching the "Etzem Ha'gulgolet," the bone directly beneath the skull on the back of the neck. Underneath the skull on the back of the neck there is an indentation, which one can feel when touching the back of his neck. Right above that indentation is a round bone, and the knot of the Tefillin Shel Rosh should be at least partially touching that bone. Many people mistakenly wear the Tefillin Shel Rosh with the knot situated considerably lower on the neck; a person must ensure that the knot is high enough that at least part of it rests on the bone directly underneath the skull.

On a different issue related to Tefillin, the Shulchan Aruch writes that while wearing Tefillin, one should periodically touch them in order to remind himself that he wears Tefillin and must therefore maintain an aura of sanctity due to their uniquely sacred quality. Indeed, common practice is to touch one's Tefillin and then kiss his hand from time to time during the prayer service, so as to remain cognizant of the sanctity of Tefillin.

Halacha requires that one should first touch the Tefillin Shel Yad (Tefillin worn on the arm) and only then touch the Tefillin Shel Rosh – the same sequence that is followed when putting Tefillin on in the first place. However, if a person's hand happens to be near his head when he decides to touch his Tefillin, he should first touch his Tefillin Shel Rosh. If he would first touch the Tefillin Shel Yad, he would appear as passing over the Mitzva of Tefillin Shel Rosh, which would constitute an insult, of sorts, to the Mitzva.

Summary: The Dalet-shaped knot of the Tefillin Shel Rosh should be worn such that it at least partially touches the bone directly underneath the skull on the back of the head, right above the indentation on the upper part of the back of the neck. One should touch his Tefillin from time to time while he wears them; one first touches the Tefillin Shel Yad, unless his hand happens to be situated near the head, in which case he first touches the Tefillin Shel Rosh.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Does One Recite a Beracha Over a Secondary Food That Was Brought Only After He Recited the Beracha Over the Primary Food?
If One Eats the Secondary Food Before the Primary Food
The Beracha Over Cereal with Milk, and Yogurt with Fruit
If One Recited a Beracha Over a Cracker With Cheese, and Some Cheese Was Left Over
If a Person Changes His Mind and Decides Not to Eat After Listening to a Beracha
If a Person Mistakenly Concluded “Al Ha’mihya” With the Words “Al Ha’perot”
Fulfilling One’s Requirement by Listening to a Beracha Recited by Another Person
The Requirement of “Shem U’malchut” in a Beracha
Does the Beracha of “Gefen” Cover Other Beverages if One Does Not Intend to Drink More Wine?
Halachot Concerning the Berachot Over Wine, Fruit Juice and Coffee
Does One Recite a Beracha Over Beer or Whiskey Drunk During a Maal if HaMosi Was Recited?
Does One Recite a Beracha Over Tea and Coffee Drunk After a Meal If Ha'Mosi Was Recited ?
Must One Recite a Beracha Over Water or Wine During a Meal Where One Recited Ha'motzi?
Is Wine Still Considered A ‘Bore Peri HaGefen’ And Acceptable for Kiddush If It is Diluted
The Sequence of Berachot When Eating Cake With Coffee
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found