Writing B”H on Letters

Questions: One of our teachers encourages us to write B”H on the top of our work, while another teacher told us that we should avoid doing so. Which is right?

Answer: The Gemara (Rosh Hashana 18b) relates that the Yevanim decreed that the Jewish people must not mention Hashem’s Name. The Chashmonaim ruled that every letter they wrote should contain Hashem’s Name. Nonetheless, the sages revoked this rule, fearing that these letters would end up being discarded. Thus, the Rema (YD 276:13) writes that one must be careful not to write sheimos in letters.

R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechave Daas 3:78) quotes the Chida who writes that one may write abbreviations even if they refer to Hashem. While the Rogatchover Gaon (Tzafnas Paneach 196) disagrees, R’ Ovadia writes that writing ב"ה on the top of letters is an ancient minhag and is permissible.

However, R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe YD 2:138) writes that while he is not concerned about the letters being destroyed, it is not necessarily appropriate to write ב"ה on a secular letter. R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanahagos 1:640) adds that the Vilna Gaon did not write this on his letters. Nonetheless, they write that those that do want to write something, should rather write בס"ד, standing for bisyata dishmaya, with help from heaven (see Aruch Hashulchan YD 276:28).

In conclusion, there are different practices regarding writing B”H on the top of a paper. Many Chassidim are particular to do so, some choose to write BS”D instead while others avoid writing anything.

Removing Tefillin on Rosh Chodesh

Question: I do not usually have enough time to remove and wrap my tefillin after kaddish and before mussaf on Rosh Chodesh. Should I take them off earlier or wrap them during chazaras hashatz?

Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 25:13; 423:4) writes that one should remove one’s tefillin before reciting mussaf on Rosh Chodesh. The Levush (OC 423:4) and Mishna Berura (423:10) explain that when mentioning the korbanos during mussaf, it is akin to Yom Tov when we do not wear tefillin (see Shulchan Aruch Harav OC 25:41).

R' Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 1:45) stresses that it is a bizayon (disgrace) to remove one’s tefillin and leave them on the table while davening mussaf. He quotes the Shulchan Aruch Harav and Elya Rabba who write that one should remove one’s tefillin before kaddish.

Nonetheless, the Magen Avraham (25:30; 423:6), Pri Megadim (Eshel Avraham 423:6) and Mishna Berura (25:59) write that our practice is to wait until after kaddish (see Kaf Hachaim OC 25:94).

The Ben Ish Chai (Chayei Sarah 1:19) and Kaf Hachaim (OC 28:7) stress the importance of wrapping one’s tefillin and putting them away as soon as one takes them off. When one does not have time, such as on Rosh Chodesh, one should ensure that they are laid out straight and wrap them after mussaf. R' Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 1:281:5) quotes R’ Baruch Halevi Epstein (Baruch Sheamar Tefilla p330) who writes that one must cover one’s tefillin while davening mussaf, comparing it to covering the challa whilst reciting kiddush on Shabbos.

The Pri Megadim (Mishbetzos Zahav 34:2) criticizes those who remove their Rashi tefillin during chazaras hashatz, writing that one must concentrate on the tefilla.

In conclusion, one should remove one’s tefillin after kaddish. If one does not have enough time to wrap them, one should place them in their boxes and cover them with one’s tallis bag until after mussaf when one can wrap them properly. Only if one does not have time to wrap them then, should they remove them before kaddish rather than during chazaras hashatz.