Question: Is it important to put on one’s tallis before one’s tefillin?
Answer: The Beis Yosef (OC
25:1) rules that one should don the tallis before the tefillin, citing
two reasons. Firstly, the mitzva of tzitzis is considered equal
to all other mitzvos. Secondly, we follow the principle of ‘tadir
ve’sheino tadir, tadir kodam, the mitzva that is performed more
frequently takes precedence.’ Since we wear a tallis every day, but not tefillin
on Shabbos and Yom Tov, the tallis is put on first.
The
Shulchan Aruch (OC 25:1) provides a third reason, explaining that we follow the
rule of ‘maalin bekodesh, we increase in aspects of holiness’. The Bach
(OC 25:1) adds that wearing tzitzis serves as a reminder to perform
other mitzvos, including tefillin. The Levush (OC 25:1) explains
simply that one is obligated to wear tzitzis upon waking, whereas tefillin
can only be worn once one is fully dressed.
The
Beis Yosef and Shulchan Aruch write that if one picks up their tefillin
first, they should put them on first, adhering to the rule of ‘ein maavirin
al hamitzvos¸ one does not pass over an opportunity to perform a mitzva’.
Therefore, it is advisable to arrange the tallis bag so that the tallis
is reached first.
The
Shaagas Aryeh (28) challenges these reasons, arguing that unlike tefillin¸ the
mitzva to wear a tallis is not obligatory in the same way tefillin
are. Additionally, maalin bekodesh does not apply when dealing with two
separate mitzvos. Instead, the holier mitzva should take
precedence (see Dagul Merevava OC 25:1).
However,
the Aruch Hashulchan (OC 25:1) and Mishna Berura (Biur Halacha 25:1) explain
that maalin bekodesh refers to the ascending process of kedusha
that we undergo, starting with wrapping ourselves in a tallis and then
donning tefillin.
The
Ben Ish Chai (Torah Lishma 1) adds that there are kabbalistic reasons
for putting on the tallis first. As such, if one put on their tefillin
first, they should remove them to put on their tallis first (see
Kaf Hachaim OC 25:1). However, other poskim disagree (Aruch Hashulchan
OC 25:3; Mishna Berura 25:5).
In
conclusion, it is important to put on one’s tallis before putting on
one’s tefillin.
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