Tefillin After Interruption

Question: I removed my tefillin in the middle of Shacharis to respond to a Hatzala emergency call. When I returned, I joined the following minyan to continue davening. Should I have repeated the berachos before putting my tefillin back on?

Answer: The Gemara (Sukka 46a) records a machlokes whether one who puts tefillin on again later that day recites a new beracha, or whether the original morning beracha remains effective for the entire day.

Rambam (Tefillin 4:7) rules that even if one removes and replaces his tefillin one hundred times in a day, he recites a new beracha each time. Accordingly, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 25:12) rules that one should repeat the berachos whenever he puts tefillin on again.

However, the Rema rules that the accepted Ashkenazi practice is not to repeat the beracha when the tefillin were removed with the intention of replacing them immediately. The Aruch Hashulchan (OC 651:14) explains that unlike lulav, which is a one-time mitzva, tefillin applies throughout the day. Therefore, putting them on again after a significant interruption can be considered a new fulfilment of the mitzva.

The Magen Avraham (25:22) explains that this exemption applies only when the tefillin were removed with the intention of replacing them immediately. If they were removed for an extended period, to enter a bathroom, or an unexpected delay caused a hesech hadaas, a new beracha is required (see Mishna Berura 25:47). The Kaf Hachaim (OC 25:78) rules that due to safek berachos lehakel, no new beracha is recited when they were removed with the intention of replacing them immediately.

R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 8:2) writes that a new beracha may be required even after a short interruption if there was a clear hesech hadaas. He cites the Mishna Berura (8:14) that folding away and storing a tallis demonstrates an intention not to return to it immediately, and applies this principle to tefillin.

The Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 25:29) defines an extended interruption as approximately two to three hours. Similarly, the Piskei Teshuvos (25:22) writes that if there was no complete hesech hadaas, no regular sleep, and the interruption lasted less than this amount of time, the accepted Ashkenazi practice is not to repeat the beracha.

R’ Shmuel Wosner (Shevet Halevi 9:3) notes that when repeating the beracha after an interruption, some have the practice to recite only “lehaniach tefillin”, although there is also a basis for reciting both berachos.

In conclusion, one who removed his tefillin to respond to a Hatzala call and returned within a relatively short time would generally not repeat the berachos. Some Sephardim recite a new beracha even after a shorter interruption involving hesech hadaas; in such a case, only “lehaniach tefillin” should be recited.

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