(revised) putting on tefillin in the ashkenazi minhag

Matisyahu Glenn demonstrates how to put on tefillin according to the european, or ashkenazic minhag(custom).

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• torah
• judaism
• matisyahu
• glenn
• tefillin
• ashkenazi
• minhag

[christinepro]

Isn't this suppose to be a spiritual commandment rather than a physical?

[vulcanmat613]

@christinepro

This is half-true - for millenia, even the most heretical Jews, who deviated in serious ways from the main body of Torah Judaism, including Bassusim, Sadducees, etc..., all understood from our tradition that tefillin are to be worn. Tefillin were even found among the dead sea scrolls, exactly as we have them today. However, the reason why we do it is spiritual, and what they accomplish, is also entirely spiritual. These tefillin purify our hearts and minds(which the soul rests on)

[vulcanmat613]

@vulcanmat613

Only recently have impostors of various 'new-age' streams come along and attempted to dismiss all of the commandments as 'metaphors' or whatever. The same can be done with 'do not kill' as well, or anything, at the whims of these pseud-religionists. G-d gave us a body with which to sanctify with the physical performance of 613 commandments - of course, a large amount of the effects come from the thoughts behind the actions, among them that one is doing the mitzvah for Hashem

[iegp9]

thank you for this. i was using a different method which i found a little uncomfortable. i do have a question though. isn't it supposed to spell out one of g-ds names on the arm (sha...)? i don't see it. i see the shin and nothing else.

[vulcanmat613]

The hand part of the tefillin is supposed to make a shin in some way(there are various ways of doing this) on the hand itself. The arm is just supposed to be wrapped 7 times, going down the arm.

[diemaster91]

He really has got upyachka!!!!!11

[YamaniNetsi]

thank you!

[bernardrichards]

@vulcanmat613

"one is doing the mitzvah for Hashem"

One is doing the mitzvah for oneself. One never does mitzvahs for Hashem because that would mean Hashem is incomplete or not perfect, and we take axiomatically that he is.

[KingOystar]

how often should Tefillin be inspected to insure they are still Kosher?

[aviyahu01]

@vulcanmat613 both in the video as well as in the comments section...very good explanations.

[aviyahu01]

@vulcanmat613 very good explanation.

[virginiatechfanx]

do only ashkenazi wrap it on their middle finger or do all and do all wrap on the bicep in the shape of a shin?

[KingOystar]

very helpful indeed! I lay Tefillin each required day! 

[MrQueentut898]

@christinepro The issue is disputed. Most authorities consider it a literal one, but for example the Rashbam (Rashi's grandson) says that "According to the deep plain meaning, it should be for a constant state of consciousness as if it were written on your very hand, just like the phrase 'Place me as a seal upon your heart.'"

However, he wouldn't question that tefillin should still be worn, as a symbol/reminder of the deeper meaning.

[MrQueentut898]

@vulcanmat613 It's probably better to spend more time learning and less time criticizing other Jews. The Rashbam (Rashi's grandson, not usually considered a heretic) says that "According to the deep plain meaning, it should be for a constant state of consciousness as if it were written on your very hand, just like the phrase 'Place me as a seal upon your heart.'"