Phylacteries, known in Hebrew as "tefillin," are small, square leather boxes containing strips of parchment inscribed with specific passages from the Torah. These passages include Exodus 13:1-10, Exodus 13:11-16, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, and Deuteronomy 11:13-21. The practice of wearing phylacteries is rooted in the commandment found in Deuteronomy 6:8, which states, "Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads."

Historical and Religious Context

Phylacteries have been a significant aspect of Jewish religious practice since ancient times. They are traditionally worn by Jewish men during weekday morning prayers, serving as a physical reminder of their covenant with God and the commandments they are to follow. The use of phylacteries is a literal interpretation of the biblical injunctions to bind God's words as a sign upon one's hand and as frontlets between the eyes.

Construction and Use

The construction of phylacteries is meticulous, adhering to specific halachic (Jewish legal) requirements. Each box is crafted from the hide of a kosher animal and contains four compartments in the head tefillin (tefillin shel rosh) and one compartment in the arm tefillin (tefillin shel yad). The parchments are inscribed by a qualified scribe, known as a "sofer," who must follow precise guidelines to ensure the sanctity and validity of the text.

The arm tefillin is bound to the bicep of the weaker arm, with the strap wrapped around the arm and hand in a specific pattern. The head tefillin is placed on the forehead, with the straps hanging down over the shoulders. This practice is a daily ritual, except on the Sabbath and Jewish holidays, when phylacteries are not worn.

Biblical References and Interpretations

The biblical mandate for phylacteries is found in several key passages. In Exodus 13:9, the scripture states, "It shall be a sign for you on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For with a mighty hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt." Similarly, Deuteronomy 11:18 instructs, "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads."

In the New Testament, Jesus references phylacteries in a critique of the Pharisees' practices. In Matthew 23:5 , He states, "All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels." This passage highlights the potential for religious practices to become superficial or ostentatious, rather than sincere expressions of faith.

Cultural and Theological Significance

Phylacteries serve as a tangible expression of Jewish identity and devotion. They symbolize the commitment to keep God's commandments at the forefront of one's thoughts and actions. The practice underscores the importance of integrating faith into daily life, serving as a constant reminder of the relationship between God and His people.

In Christian theology, while the physical practice of wearing phylacteries is not observed, the underlying principle of keeping God's word central to one's life is emphasized. The focus is on internalizing the teachings of Scripture and living out one's faith through actions and attitudes that reflect the love and commandments of God.Phylacteries

things to be especially observed

Phylacteries

Were little rolls of parchment, in which were written certain words of the law, and which were worn by the Jews upon their foreheads, and upon the left arm. The custom was founded on a mistaken interpretation of Exodus 13:9,16, "And it shall be for a taken upon thy hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes."

Leo of Modena informs us particularly about these rolls. Those worn upon the forehead have been described under the article FRONTLETS, which see. Those that were to be fastened to the arms were two rolls of parchment written in square letters, with ink made on purpose, and with much care. They were rolled up to a point, and enclosed in a sort of case of black calfskin. They then were put upon a square bit of the same leather, whence hung a throng of the same, of about a finger's breadth and a cubit and a half long. These rolls were placed at the bending of the left arm, and after the throng had made a little knot in the form of the letter Yodh, it was wound about the arm in a spiral line, which ended at the top of the middle finger. They were called the Tephila of the hand.

The phylactery, from a Greek word signifying preservative, was regarded not only as a remembrancer of God's law, but as a protection against demons. It was probably introduced at a late period in the Old Testament history. Our Savior reproaches the pride and hypocrisy of the Pharisees, shown in making their phylacteries broad as a sign of their superior wisdom and piety, Matthew 23:5. David, on the other hand, says, "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee," Psalm 119:11.

(Gr. phulakteria; i.e., "defences" or "protections"), called by modern Jews tephillin (i.e., "prayers") are mentioned only in Matthew 23:5. They consisted of strips of parchment on which were inscribed these four texts:

(1.) Exodus 13:1-10;

(2.) 11-16;

(3.) Deuteronomy 6:4-9;

(4.) 11:18-21, and which were enclosed in a square leather case, on one side of which was inscribed the Hebrew letter shin, to which the rabbis attached some significance. This case was fastened by certain straps to the forehead just between the eyes. The "making broad the phylacteries" refers to the enlarging of the case so as to make it conspicuous. (see FRONTLETS.)

Another form of the phylactery consisted of two rolls of parchment, on which the same texts were written, enclosed in a case of black calfskin. This was worn on the left arm near the elbow, to which it was bound by a thong. It was called the "Tephillah on the arm."

(n.) Plural of Phylactery.5440. phulakterion -- an outpost, fortification, an amulet
... 21). Strapped to the inside of the left arm (between the shoulder and the
elbow), phylacteries "rest over the " during prayer. They ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5440.htm - 7k2903. totaphoth -- bands
... Definition: frontals. Word Origin from an unused word Definition bands NASB
Word Usage frontals (2), phylacteries (1). frontlet. From ...
/hebrew/2903.htm - 5k

Matt. xxiii. 1-3.
... but were destitute of good works), but for things without warmth or worth, and such
as were certain proofs of their baseness, the phylacteries, the borders; of ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxii matt xxiii 1-3.htm

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
... appear from such instances as the refusal to save a woman from drowning for fear
of touching a female, or waiting to put off the phylacteries before stretching ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 13 among the people.htm

Hypocrisy
... before them when they gave away alms; praying standing at the corners of the streets;
going in long clothing, making broad their phylacteries, the written ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxxvii hypocrisy.htm

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the ...
... Even the Phylacteries, because they contained portions of the sacred text, the very
leather straps by which they were bound to the head and arm - nay, the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxi the cavils of.htm

Christian Morals. Part iii.
... goodness of God. Happy are they who verify their amulets, and make their
phylacteries speak in their lives and actions. To run on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/christian morals part iii.htm

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and ...
... By a merely external interpretation of Exodus 13:9, 16, and Deuteronomy 6:8;
xi.18, practice of wearing Phylacteries or, as they were called, Tephillin, prayer ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the third day.htm

The Two Sons.
... the first picture; the chief priests and elders, who concealed their thirst for
innocent blood under a mantle of long prayers and broad phylacteries, sat for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/x the two sons.htm

The Healing of the Woman - Christ's Personal Appearance - the ...
... fringes,' although, by way of ostentation, the Pharisees made them particularly
wide so as to attract attention, just as they made their phylacteries broad. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxvi the healing of.htm

The Doctrines of Grace do not Lead to Sin
... accept undeserved favour just because God wills to give it:"this is not pleasant
to the great minds of our philosophers, and the broad phylacteries of our ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/the doctrines of grace do.htm

Recommendation.
... Thou may perceive a company of self-deceiving speculatists, who make broad the
phylacteries of their garments, and boast of some high attainments in religion ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/recommendation.htm

Phylacteries (2 Occurrences)
... The "making broad the phylacteries" refers to the enlarging of the case so as to
make it conspicuous. (see FRONTLETS.). ...Phylacteries (2 Occurrences). ...
/p/phylacteries.htm - 8k

Amulet
... It was worn on the heart or on the arm. (2) The Phylacteries and the Mezuzah.
There is no distract reference to these in the Old Testament. ...
/a/amulet.htm - 17k

Phylactery
... the Pharisees, who, in order that their works might "be seen of men," and in their
zeal for the forms of religion, "make broad their phylacteries and enlarge ...
/p/phylactery.htm - 13k

Broad (113 Occurrences)
... way, that leadeth to destruction" (Matthew 7:13); the ostentatious piety of the
Pharisees: "They make broad (platuno, "widen") their phylacteries" (Matthew 23:5 ...
/b/broad.htm - 40k

Noticed (19 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their
phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments, (See NAS). ...
/n/noticed.htm - 11k

Name (10157 Occurrences)
... Shema" (from shema`, "hear," the first word in 6:4), the first article of Israelite
faith, taught to all the children, written on the phylacteries, and still ...
/n/name.htm - 23k

Observed (84 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:5 And everything they do they do with a view to being observed by men;
for they widen their phylacteries and make the tassels large, (WEY). ...
/o/observed.htm - 30k

Lengthen (9 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their
phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments, (See NAS). ...
/l/lengthen.htm - 9k

Large (235 Occurrences)
... by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their
garments, (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT). Matthew ...
/l/large.htm - 34k

Garments (232 Occurrences)
... seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their
garments, (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Matthew 24 ...
/g/garments.htm - 37k

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