What are phylacteries?

Answer

Phylacteries, also known as tefillin, are small square leather boxes containing portions of Scripture worn by Conservative and Orthodox Jews during prayer services. They are worn in pairs—one on the left arm and one on the forehead of Jewish men during weekday morning prayers. The term phylactery originates from a Greek word that means “safeguard, protection, or amulet.”

The phylactery worn on the arm is called the shel yad and has a single compartment, while the one on the forehead, which has four compartments, is known as the shel rosh. The Hebrew letter shin (ש) is inscribed on each side of the head phylactery. Specific regulations dictate the length and width of the straps that connect them, the method of tying knots to secure the phylacteries, and the color of the boxes (black). Each phylactery contains four passages from the Old Testament: Exodus 13:1–10, 11–16; Deuteronomy 6:4–9; 11:13–21. These verses must be written in black ink on parchment that is specially prepared for this purpose, using the skin of a clean animal. Additional rules specify the type of writing instrument to be used, the number of lines dedicated to each verse, and the arrangement of the parchment pieces within each compartment, among other details.

The practice of wearing phylacteries is based on commands found in Deuteronomy. The Israelites were instructed to love God and obey His commandments. They were specifically told to “tie [the commandments] as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads” «And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. », (Deuteronomy 6:8). Later, God instructs them, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads” «Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul. », (Deuteronomy 11:18).

Our soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.” , (Deuteronomy 11:18). We interpret these commands figuratively: whatever we do (with the hand) and whatever we think (with the head) should be guided by the authority of God’s Word. However, at some point—possibly as early as the fourth century BC—the Jewish rabbis began taking this verse literally, and the practice of attaching phylacteries to their arms and heads began.

Phylacteries are referenced in the New Testament. Jesus, cautioning His disciples about the hypocrisy of the teachers and Pharisees, said, “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long” «But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, », (Matthew 23:5). The religious leaders of Jesus’ time had deviated from God’s intent in the Law. Phylacteries were being enlarged solely to attract attention to the wearer—the larger the phylactery, the more piety it was thought to display. Ironically, the very command to honor the Word of God was being used to dishonor the Word.

Jesus taught that God is not as concerned with the external trappings of religion as He is with the true nature of the heart. He pointed out that it was possible to wear large phylacteries containing God’s Word yet disobey God’s Word at the same time. Similarly, in the church today, it’s possible to wear a cross, give a tithe, raise a hand, and recite a creed—all without truly acknowledging the Lord in our hearts. God knows the truth of our spiritual condition. “LORD Almighty, you . . . examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind” «But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seesTo the reins and the heart, let me see your vengeance on them: for unto you have I opened my cause.” (Jeremiah 20:12), Jeremiah 20:12. May we be able to say with the psalmist, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” “Thy word have I hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against you.” , Psalm 119:11.