Wrong Tefillin

Question: My friend allowed me to borrow his tefillin, but I accidentally put on Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin, only realising after davening. Do I need to repeat the berachos when I put on Rashi Tefillin?

Answer: There is a machlokes among the rishonim regarding the order of the parshiyos in tefillin. According to Rashi (Menachos 34b), the parshiyos are placed in the order they appear in the Torah; thus, ‘Shema’ comes before ‘Vehaya im Shamoa’. Tosafos, however, writes that ‘Shema’ appears last.

The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 34:2) rules that pious individuals should wear both pairs of tefillin, ensuring that they are fulfilling the mitzva properly according to both opinions. He adds (OC 34:3) that only those recognised for piety should do so. The Mishna Berura (34:17) explains that for others, wearing both is considered a sign of haughtiness, as the accepted practice is to wear only Rashi tefillin. This is why most ashkenazim do not wear Rabbeinu Tam tefillin.

The Ben Ish Chai (Vayera 1:21) cites the Arizal, who writes that one should fulfil both opinions for Kabbalistic reasons. R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer 1:3; 9:108:25) disagrees, noting that there is a machlokes among the geonim and rishonim as to which is correct. While the mainstream psak follows Rashi, the concern about haughtiness is no longer relevant (see Minchas Yitzchak 6:7). Many sefardim and chassidim therefore choose to wear both Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam tefillin.

The Aruch Hashulchan (OC 34:3) writes that the accepted halacha follows Rashi. Therefore, even those who do wear Rabbeinu Tam tefillin recite a beracha only on Rashi tefillin.

R’ Shlomo Kluger (Haelef Lecha Shlomo OC 10) rules that if one puts on Rabbeinu Tam tefillin first, a new beracha should be recited when putting on Rashi tefillin, since saying berachos on Rabbeinu Tam tefillin is considered a beracha levatala. R’ Betzalel Stern (Betzel Hachachma 4:81) clarifies that someone who regularly wears both and accidentally puts on Rabbeinu Tam first does not need to recite a new beracha, provided they put on Rashi immediately without an unnecessary interruption. However, someone who does not usually wear Rabbeinu Tam must repeat the beracha when putting on Rashi tefillin (see Teshuvos Vehanhagos 3:10). Saying a second beracha in this case is considered a minhag.

In conclusion, if you do not normally wear Rabbeinu Tam tefillin and accidentally put them on instead of Rashi, you should put on Rashi tefillin and repeat the beracha of lehaniach tefillin.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Wait Until Nacht to Count the Omer

Question: When is the best time to count the omer if I am not davening maariv with a minyan at nacht ? Answer: The Beis Yosef (OC 489:1) highlights a machlokes regarding whether one may count the omer during bein hashemashos (the time between shekia , sunset, and nacht , nightfall). The Rosh, (Pesachim 10:40), Tur (OC 489:1) and Tosafos (Menachos 66a) argue that since counting the omer is miderabanan nowadays, it is permissible to count from shekia . On the other hand, Rambam (Temidin Umusafin 7:22) and the Ran (Pesachim 28a) assert that one should wait until nacht . Following this reasoning, the Mishna Berura (489:14) states that, ideally, one should wait until nacht to count (see Aruch Hashulchan OC 489:7). Other poskim , including the Bach (OC 489:1), Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 489:12) and R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechave Daas 1:23) write that it is acceptable to count after shekia . The Shulchan Aruch (OC 489:1) advises that the omer should be counted after maariv . The Mishna Beru...
Read more

Disturbance During the Amida

Question: I brought my child to shul and he began making noise, disturbing others during shemone esrei. Was I permitted to take him out while I was davening ? Answer: The Mishna (Berachos 30b) teaches that one may not interrupt shemone esrei even if a king inquires about one’s welfare or if a snake is coiled around one’s leg. The Gemara (Berachos 32b) clarifies that this restriction applies only in non-dangerous circumstances. The Mishna refers specifically to a Jewish king and to a harmless snake (see Shulchan Aruch OC 104:3). The Vilna Gaon (Biur Hagra, OC 104:3) notes a machlokes regarding whether physical movement constitutes an interruption. According to Rabbeinu Yona (Berachos 21a) and the Rema (OC 104:3), mere movement is not deemed an interruption. However, the Rosh maintains that it is, and therefore one may not move during shemone esrei except in a case of danger. The Magen Avraham (104:3) and Mishna Berura (Biur Halacha 104:3) write that although one should n...
Read more

Time to Count the Omer on Friday

Question: I forgot to count the omer on Thursday night, and only remembered after davening kabbalas Shabbos . As this was before shekia , can I still continue counting with a beracha , or was it too late? Answer: Tosafos (Menachos 66a) discusses a machlokes regarding whether one may count the omer during the day or if it must specifically be done at night. Accordingly, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 489:7) stipulates that if one misses counting at night, they should count during the next day without reciting a beracha. They may then resume counting with a beracha on subsequent nights (see Mishna Berura 489:34; Shaar Hatzion 489:45). The Taz (OC 600:2) discusses a case where a community had not fulfilled the mitzva of hearing the shofar on the second day of Rosh Hashana, which fell on a Friday. They began davening kabbalas Shabbos early, and then someone brought them a shofar . The Taz rules that despite having already been mekabel Shabbos , they could still blow the shofar (see Taz OC ...
Read more