The Mitzvah of Tefillin
By wearing tefillin, the Creator instills within us the power to refine our hearts and minds, to subdue all evil inclinations, and to plant within our hearts the light and strength to love G‑d and to fulfill His commandments.
In the tefillin are written four Torah portions, corresponding to the four letters of the Divine Name, Havayah (Tikkunei Zohar 4:9). By wearing them, we channel Divine light into the four elements of creation — fire, wind, water, and earth. The Blessed One created them from His Name: fire corresponds to the letter Y; wind corresponds to the first letter H; water corresponds to the letter V; and earth corresponds to the last letter H.
Through this, we also merit rectifying all realms of existence: the inanimate, the growing, the living, and the speaking — all of which are also formed from the Name Havayah (Etz Chaim, Sha’ar 50).
When donning tefillin, we impact these four foundations, uplifting and perfecting them (Tanya, ch. 41).
Blessing for Tzitzis:
Scroll down for instructional videos — a guide to the Mitzvah of Tzitzit for beginners and advanced.
*Before the blessing, place the Tefillin on the arm.
Before wrapping the strap, recite the blessing, then tighten the Tefillin.
*One should not speak between putting on the hand Tefillin and the head Tefillin until both have been put on completely.
Recite with intention:
Want to know how to put on Tefillin correctly? In this video we will learn the order of putting on Tefillin step by step, from the blessing on the arm all the way to the recitation of the Shema. Beyond the practical guidance, we will discover the deep meaning of this Mitzvah — how Tefillin connect us to the Creator of the Universe and how our small act impacts all of Creation.
Chapters in this video:
The spiritual meaning: our connection to the Creator of the Universe
Practical demonstration: the placement of the Tefillin on the arm
The blessing for the hand Tefillin (text and explanation)
Wrapping the seven coils around the forearm
Placing the head Tefillin: the exact position at the hairline
What to do if you spoke between the hand and head Tefillin (the second blessing)
Wrapping the straps around the fingers and forming the letters Shin-Dalet-Yud
Conclusion and recitation of the Shema
The Mitzvah of Tzitzit is the “key” to all the commandments of the Torah. In this short and moving video, we will learn how to wrap oneself in a Tallit properly, what the correct blessing is, and how this wrapping grants us Divine strength for the entire day. Join us to learn how to “acquire” a connection with G‑d through one simple Mitzvah.
Chapters in this video:
The power of the Mitzvah of Tzitzit: remembering all the commandments
How does the Creator of the Universe become “ours”?
Practical guidance: how to hold the Tallit before the blessing
The blessing over the Tallit and wrapping the head
The order of wrapping (right side over left) and sweetening of judgments
Tip: how to arrange the Tallit on your shoulders so it does not slip
Are your head Tefillin too large and sliding down to your forehead? Or perhaps too tight and small? There is no need to run to a Sofer. In this video we will show you exactly how the Tefillin knot works (the Dalet knot) and how you can tighten or loosen the strap yourself — easily and quickly — so that the Tefillin always sit in the correct position above the hairline.
Chapters in this video:
The problem: Tefillin that do not sit correctly on the head
Understanding the structure of the knot (the letter Dalet) and the straps
Demonstration: how to pull the strap to tighten
Demonstration: how to release the strap to loosen
Tips for securing the knot (for the sanctity of the Tefillin)
What to do when the strap is stiff? (The spoon/key tip)
