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 remain in constant contact with the tefillin, even when not being worn. He adds that some had the practice of tying the kesher with an external gid around the bayis, and also of running the retzua under the tefillin, but he discourages these practices since they may constitute a chatzitza.

The Ben Ish Chai (Vayera 15) writes that after tightening the tefillin properly, the retzua should be wrapped around the yud to secure it to the tefillin. Although the yud is already attached to the bayis with a gid, he notes that there is a kabbalistic significance to this additional tying (see Shaarei Teshuva OC 27:2; Ohr Letzion 2:3:1).

The Kaf Hachaim (OC 27:12) explains that many follow the practice of securing the yud with gid at the time of manufacture, using the same gid that is already part of the tefillin construction, so that it never moves even when stored in its box. Rather than wrapped around the bayis, the gid is passed through the maavarta along with the retzua itself, thereby ensuring that it does not create any chatzitza between the tefillin and the arm (see Piskei Teshuvos 27:6; n30).

Sefer Halichos Shlomo (Tefilla 4:30) records that R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach would tie a gid to his tefillin, as well as to those of his sons, to ensure that the yud remained properly secured.

In conclusion, it is ideal to secure the kesher to the bayis by passing a gid through the maavarta and around the kesher. 

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