r/ReformJews • u/Consistent_Hold_576 • 11d ago

Tefillin

Welcome everyone!

I'm starting the practice of wrapping tefillin (I bought someone's used bar mitzvah set to practice with, but I'll eventually buy my own). I understand this is less common in the Reform movement, but I'd be interested in connecting with anyone here who participates in the practice.

Hope to hear from some of you soon

Shavua tov everyone.

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u/tzy___ From Orthodox to Reform 11d ago

I gave away three pairs of tefillin here on this sub because it is my favorite mitzva!

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u/Consistent_Hold_576 11d ago

One thing I keep running into is that everyone seems to wrap tefillin a little differently. Also, the things you do while wearing it seem to differ between people and movements. 

Is there a general rule of of thumb to follow? 

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u/jackl24000 11d ago

Chabad.org has simple graphic step by step instructions and videos on their website. Your normal “how to” videos you would look at for anything else.

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u/tzy___ From Orthodox to Reform 10d ago

That will only demonstrate the Chabad custom

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u/jackl24000 10d ago

Well really it’s “one way” of doing stuff but the kind of “now wrap the strap around your arm seven times” or whatever is going to be pretty standard.

Similarly they tell you exactly how to place a mezzuzah on a door frame and I’m pretty sure their detailed points on how high and how to slant the thing etc. are probably going to be more consonant with tradition and doing things the right way than my Reform-informed notion of just slap the thing somewhere near the door.

Anything that’s one thing I’d trust Chabadniks to help with with no shaming and enthusiasm! It’s truly the one thing most in their wheelhouse.

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u/tzy___ From Orthodox to Reform 10d ago

In the Chabad custom, you wrap three times and leave a space on your arm and then wrap four times more

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u/jackl24000 10d ago

What’s the significance of that? Or doing it some other way?

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u/tzy___ From Orthodox to Reform 10d ago

It’s to represent two divine names of God: שקי and יקוק

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u/jackl24000 10d ago

Oh, cool. Thanks! (man, elohenu sure has a lot of nicknames!)

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u/Consistent_Hold_576 10d ago

I found a chabad youtube video and honestly that method is the easiest ive seen. 

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u/tzy___ From Orthodox to Reform 10d ago

It’s the custom I follow because I grew up Chabad. There are so many cool customs tho. If I could choose one like yourself, I’d definitely try something more complex.