The Importance of Rabbeinu Tam’s Tefillin

Order of the Scrolls According to the Rishonim

In Jewish tradition, there is a well-known disagreement among the medieval Torah scholars, known as the Rishonim, regarding the order of the four Torah passages placed inside the Tefillin Shel Rosh.

The two principal opinions are those of Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam.

Despite this disagreement, the Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 34:1, rules that the accepted practice is to wear Tefillin arranged according to the opinion of Rashi and the Rambam.

The Shulchan Aruch nevertheless adds that a person who fears Heaven should seek to fulfill both opinions by also wearing Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin. It further notes that, traditionally, this additional practice was associated with people known for particular piety.

Contemporary Sephardic Practice

In more recent generations, the wearing of Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin has become widespread, including among people who are not regarded as exceptional scholars or Kabbalists.

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zatzal explains in Halikhot Olam that since this practice has become common, it is proper for every man who is able to do so to take the opinion of Rabbeinu Tam into consideration.

This is especially significant because, according to Rabbeinu Tam and the authorities who follow his view, a person wearing only Rashi Tefillin would not fulfill the mitzvah according to their opinion.

The Teaching of the Arizal

Rabbeinu Ha-Ari, as cited by the Ben Ish Chai in Parashat Vayera, teaches that both Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin possess genuine spiritual significance.

According to the Kabbalistic tradition, the two arrangements correspond to different spiritual realities and different forms of Divine influence. They are therefore not viewed merely as one valid pair and one doubtful pair, but as two sacred arrangements that each accomplish a distinct spiritual purpose.

For this reason, the Arizal recommends reciting the Shema Yisrael while wearing both pairs.

The ideal Kabbalistic practice is to wear both pairs simultaneously. This requires particularly small Tefillin, since both pairs must fit entirely within the halachically valid areas of the arm and head.

Wearing the Two Pairs Simultaneously or Separately

A person who wears Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin separately generally puts on Rashi Tefillin during Shacharit and then wears Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin after the prayer.

The blessing is recited only when putting on Rashi Tefillin. No new blessing is recited when putting on Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin.

While wearing Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin, one should recite at least the passages of Shema Yisrael and Vehaya Im Shamoa.

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef notes that wearing both pairs simultaneously has particular value according to the Arizal. Nevertheless, there are significant practical difficulties:

• Both pairs must be sufficiently small and fully kosher.
• Both Tefillin Shel Yad must fit within the halachically valid area of the upper arm.
• Both Tefillin Shel Rosh must fit entirely above the original hairline.
• It can be difficult to obtain miniature Tefillin of excellent halachic quality.

For these reasons, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef recommends, in practice, that most people wear Rashi Tefillin during the prayer and Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin afterward.

Rabbi Ben Zion Abba Shaul zatzal, on the other hand, encouraged wearing both pairs simultaneously, in accordance with the Kabbalistic practice of the Arizal.

The Proper Intention When Wearing Both Pairs

The Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 34:2, teaches that a person wearing both pairs should have a conditional intention so that he fulfills the mitzvah according to the correct halachic opinion.

This intention may be made whether the two pairs are worn simultaneously or one after the other.