DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

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

      
(File size: 4.03 MB)
Is One Allowed to Keep Other Items With the Tefillin in the Tefillin Bag?

The Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 42:3) writes that if one keeps his Tefillin in a bag which is exclusively designated for Tefillin, then once he placed his Tefillin in the bag, he may not then use the bag to keep money inside it. The bag at that point becomes a "Tashmish Kedusha" – an article designated for the purpose of a sacred article – and thus may not be used for money. The Mishna Berura (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin, 1839-1933) clarifies that the Shulhan Aruch mentions money only as a common example, and in truth, this Halacha applies to all items which are not sacred like Tefillin. Even things which are used for a Misva – such as a Siddur or Tehillim – may not be placed in the bag designated for Tefillin. Likewise, one may not keep in this bag the mirror he uses to help position the Tefillin on his head, or the marker he uses to paint his Tefillin.

Many people keep their small Tefillin bag in a larger bag, which is used also for their Tallit and Siddur. Since this larger bag is not designated exclusively for Tefillin, it may be used for other items, even items which are not used for a Misva, such as money. This Halacha is discussed by Hacham David Yosef (contemporary) in his Halacha Berura (vol. 3, p. 301; listen to audio recording for precise citation).

Summary: A bag which is designated exclusively for Tefillin may not be used to hold anything else, even a Siddur. However, if one keeps his Tefillin bag in a larger bag together with his Tallit and Siddur, then since the larger bag is not designated exclusively for Tefillin, he may keep anything else – even money – in that larger bag.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Pouring Into a Sink With a Strainer on Shabbat
Paying a Doctor for Services Rendered on Shabbat; Renting a Hotel Room for Only Shabbat
Is a Wife Bound by Her Husband’s Early Acceptance of Shabbat?
At What Point in the Friday Night Prayer Service Does One Accept Shabbat?
Asking a Gentile to Turn On a Light for a Frightened Child, or To Turn On the Heat or Air Conditioning
Scheduling a Wakeup Call on Shabbat
Opening a Refrigerator Door on Shabbat if the Light Was Not Disengaged
Shabbat Candle Lighting – The Custom to Light Two Candles; Lighting When the Parents are Away for Shabbat
If the Person Who Recited Kiddush is Unable to Drink the Required Amount of Wine
Eating and Drinking Before Kiddush
Until When May a Woman Light Shabbat Candles on Friday Afternoon?
When is the Latest Time for Eating the “Se’uda Rebi’it” Meal on Mosa’eh Shabbat?
Shabbat – Using an Urn with a Water Level Indicator
Shabbat – Wearing a Garment That Causes Static Electricity
Leaving Water on an Open Lame Before Shabbat
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found