Tefillin are two small leather boxes that Jewish men wear on their hands and heads during weekday morning prayers (they do not wear tefillin on Shabbat and holidays). In these boxes are scrolls with texts from the Torah, particularly excerpts from Exodus and Deuteronomy, which speak of the unity of God and the importance of keeping the commandments.

The structure and meaning of tefillin

– The head tefillin (or tefillin shel ראש) consists of a single box which is attached to the forehead and on which a strap is placed that wraps around the head. The box must be pointed so that its front part is between the eyes, and the straps must be tied in a special way that symbolizes the various aspects of the Torah and religious commandments.

– The tefillin on the hand (or tefillin shel yad) is worn on the left hand, closer to the heart. It is a box containing a single Torah scroll, attached to the hand with a strap that wraps around the hand in a certain order.

Scrolls content

Inside both tefillin are parchment scrolls with passages from Shema Yisrael and other verses that remind us of God’s authority and call us to believe in the One God. Each passage is carefully handwritten by a qualified scribe (soifer), and the scrolls must be checked for accuracy.

Religious significance

Tefillin are an important symbol of Jewish faith and Torah observance. Putting on tefillin is associated with giving importance to what is in one’s heart and mind, reminding oneself of one’s spiritual connection to God. It is the fulfillment of one of the 613 commandments of the Torah, which has deep meaning both literally and symbolically.

In addition, tefillin symbolize a commitment to remember God in all aspects of life, and wearing them is one of the most visible and daily practices for observant Jews.