Knot Touching the Bayis
Question: When I bought my tefillin the kesher touched the bayis but it no longer does. Does it need to be secured with a string so it stays in place? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 27:2) writes that the kesher in the shape of the letter yud of the shel yad should face inwards towards the heart, and one should be careful that it remains in contact with the bayis . The Aruch Hashulchan (OC 27:10) notes that there is no explicit Talmudic source requiring that the yud of the kesher face the heart or remain in constant contact with the bayis , as the Gemara only requires that the tefillin shel yad itself be positioned opposite the heart. Nevertheless, he writes that these practices are firmly rooted in Kabbala. He therefore observes that those who wrap the retzua away from the body, in accordance with Sephardic custom, are less likely to draw the kesher away from the bayis . The Mishna Berura (27:10) citing the Zohar (Pinchas 232b), notes a strong emphasis that the yud re...