Repainting Retzuos

Question: As I was putting my tefillin away, I noticed that there are several spots on my retzuos where the black paint has worn off. Are the tefillin still kosher, or do I need to repaint them before wearing them again?

Answer: The Gemara (Menachos 35a) teaches that there is a halacha lemoshe misinai that the retzuos must be painted black. The Elya Rabba (32:62) explains that black is unique in that any colour painted on top of it becomes absorbed into it. Black therefore symbolises the oneness of Hashem.

The Mishna Berura (33:19; Biur Halacha 33:3) writes that particular attention should be paid to the kesher of the shel yad, as that area is especially prone to wear. So long as the retzuos appear black at first glance, they remain kosher, even if upon closer inspection they look slightly grey or blue.

The Mishna Berura further writes that he is uncertain whether the entire length of the retzuos must be black, or only the minimum amount of strap required for the tefillin to be kosher (see Shulchan Aruch OC 27:8). Nonetheless, the consensus of the poskim (Maharshag OC 1:7; Salmas Chaim OC 40; Halichos Shlomo, Tefilla 4:28 n.41; Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2:22) is that the tefillin remain kosher so long as the majority of the straps are black.

In conclusion, one should repaint any white spots, particularly if they are near the kesher or within the ‘minimum size’ required for the retzuos. When repainting the straps, one should say l’shem kedushas tefillin (Rema OC 33:4) and use ink made from kosher ingredients.

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