The mitzvah of binding Tefillin (phylacteries) is one of the most powerful and enduring commandments in Jewish tradition. Worn by men during weekday morning prayers, Tefillin serve as a holy sign of connection, binding our minds, hearts, and actions to the Almighty.
To help you walk through this sacred ritual with complete confidence and ease, we have structured the step-by-step order of donning Tefillin below. Each section features the original Hebrew text, a precise phonetic English transliteration (allowing you to read the Hebrew using English letters), and a faithful English translation.
1. Tefillin Shel Yad (The Hand Tefillin)
Place the hand Tefillin on the bicep of the weaker arm, and recite the following blessing before tightening the strap.
Original Hebrew Text
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהָנִיחַ תְּפִלִּין.
Phonetic English Transliteration
Ba-ruch a-tah A-do-nai, E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-o-lam, a-sher kid-sha-nu be-mitz-vo-tav, ve-tzi-va-nu le-ha-ni-ach te-fi-lin.
English Translation
Blessed are You, HASHEM, our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to don Tefillin.
2. Tefillin Shel Rosh (The Head Tefillin)
Tighten the hand Tefillin, wrap the strap around the forearm, and immediately place the head Tefillin on the head.
Note: For those following Ashkenazic custom, recite this second blessing before tightening the head Tefillin. According to Sephardic custom, this blessing is not recited.
Original Hebrew Text
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל מִצְוַת תְּפִלִּין.
Phonetic English Transliteration
Ba-ruch a-tah A-do-nai, E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-o-lam, a-sher kid-sha-nu be-mitz-vo-tav, ve-tzi-va-nu al mitz-vat te-fi-lin.
English Translation
Blessed are You, HASHEM, our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning the mitzvah of Tefillin.
3. Securing the Head Tefillin
Immediately after tightening the head Tefillin, the following verse is recited:
Original Hebrew Text
בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.
Phonetic English Transliteration
Ba-ruch shem k-vod mal-chu-to le-o-lam va-ed.
English Translation
Blessed is the Name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever.
4. Post-Donning Prayer
Many have the custom to recite the following prayer immediately after putting on the Tefillin:
Original Hebrew Text
וּמֵחָכְמָתְךָ אֵל עֶלְיוֹן תַּאֲצִיל עָלַי, וּמִבִּינָתְךָ תְּבִינֵנִי. וּבְחַסְדְּךָ תַּגְדִּיל עָלַי, וּבִגְבוּרָתְךָ תַּצְמִית אוֹיְבַי וְקָמַי. וְשֶׁמֶן הַטּוֹב תָּרִיק על שִׁבְעָה קְנֵי הַמְּנוֹרָה, לְהַשְׁפִּיעַ טוּבְךָ לִבְרִיּוֹתֶיךָ. פּוֹתֵחַ אֶת יָדֶךָ וּמַשְׂבִּיעַ לְכָל חַי רָצוֹן.
Phonetic English Transliteration
U-me-choch-ma-t-cha El el-yon ta-a-tzil a-lai, u-mi-bi-na-t-cha t-vi-ne-ni. U-v-chas-d-cha tag-dil a-lai, u-vig-vu-ra-t-cha tatz-mit oy-vai v-ka-mai. V-she-men ha-tov ta-rik al shiv-ah k-nei ha-m-no-rah, l-hash-pi-a tuv-cha liv-ri-yo-te-cha. Po-te-ach et ya-de-cha, u-mas-bi-a l-chol chai ra-tzon.
English Translation
And from Your wisdom, Supreme God, may You emanate upon me, and from Your understanding, may You give me understanding. In Your kindness, deal grandly with me, and in Your might, cut off my enemies and those who rise against me. Pour the good oil onto the seven branches of the Menorah to flow Your goodness onto Your creations. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
5. Wrapping the Middle Finger
Wrap the remainder of the hand strap three times around the middle finger, reciting the following biblical verses:
Original Hebrew Text
וְאֵרַשְׂתִּיךְ לִי לְעוֹלָם וְאֵרַשְׂתִּיךְ לִי בְּצֶדֶק וּבְמִשְׁפָּט וּבְחֶסֶד וּבְרַחֲמִים. וְאֵרַשְׂתִּיךְ לִי בֶּאֱמוּנָה וְיָדַעַתְּ אֶת יְהוָה.
Phonetic English Transliteration
V-e-ras-tich li le-o-lam, v-e-ras-tich li b-tze-dek u-v-mish-pat u-v-che-sed u-v-ra-cha-mim. V-e-ras-tich li b-e-mu-nah, v-ya-da-at et A-do-nai.
English Translation
And I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you to Me with righteousness, with justice, with kindness, and with mercy. And I will betroth you to Me with faithfulness, and you shall know HASHEM.
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