The Halacha below was derived from multiple classes orated by Rabbi Eli Mansour in the Bekiim B'Halacha series. Click on any of the dates below to hear the original audio files, which are the sources for today's Halacha below. 04/23/25 ; 04/29/25 ; 05/05/25 ; 05/18/25 Can One Wear Tefillin on Top of a Hat, Bandage, or Scalp Cover—And When Is This Permitted? Tefillin Shel Rosh must sit directly on the head, without any barrier (hatssitsa) between the box or straps and the skin. But what if a person is cold, recovering from surgery, or must wear a bandage or other covering on the scalp? Are there exceptions in such cases? Must the Tefillin Shel Rosh Touch the Head Directly? Yes. According to the Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 27:4), the Tefillin Shel Rosh must be placed directly on the skull, with no hat, yarmulke, or material in between. This is derived from the word "bein einecha"—"between your eyes"—which the Rabbis understood as referring to a specific location on the skull that must be directly under the Tefillin. The box of the Shel Rosh (the bayit) and the knot at the back (the kesher) must both rest directly on the skin. The halacha considers anything in between to be a hatssitsa, which invalidates the Misva. What If There's a Medical Condition or Bandage? If someone has a medical bandage, stitches, wound, or skin sensitivity, and it is difficult to wear Tefillin directly on the scalp, he may still put on the Shel Rosh over the bandage—without a Beracha. This is a ruling based on the principle of safek Berachot lehakel: when there's doubt about whether a Beracha is appropriate, we refrain from reciting it. Hacham Ovadia Yosef writes that one may rely on the view of the Rashba, who held that the Beracha is still valid even if the Tefillin rests on a hat or covering. However, since most Poskim disagree, the person should wear the Tefillin without a Beracha. Does This Apply to Cold Weather or Wind? Yes, but only under specific circumstances. If a person feels unwell or is sensitive to the cold and is unable to remove his hat, he may place the Tefillin on top of a thin head covering. Again, he should do so without a Beracha. If the person can tolerate it, even for just a few moments, it is best to briefly remove the hat or covering, place the Tefillin correctly, and then replace the covering in a way that doesn't interfere with the box or the straps. Some wool hats or fitted caps can be gently pulled over the bayit once it's already in place. Can Women Assist Someone with Head Tefillin Placement in These Cases? Yes. In cases where someone is physically unable to reach the correct spot—due to illness, age, or surgery—others may assist with positioning the Shel Rosh. The Halacha permits assistance by another Jew, even a woman, when the individual is still fulfilling the Misva himself. The helper merely aids in placing the Tefillin properly. What About Wigs or Toupees? A wig is considered a hatssitsa. If the wig is removable, the person must take it off before donning the Tefillin. If it cannot be removed or causes embarrassment, and it is worn tightly and habitually, some authorities may allow the Tefillin to be placed over it without a Beracha, similar to the case of a medical wrap. Summary - Tefillin Shel Rosh must touch the scalp directly—no hat or cloth may intervene. - If this is not possible due to medical or health reasons, one may place it over a covering without a Beracha. - This leniency applies to bandages, surgical dressings, or cold weather gear only when absolutely necessary. - Wigs are generally a hatssitsa, unless removal is not practical. - Whenever possible, the Tefillin should be worn in the standard way, even for a short time, to fulfill the Misva with a Beracha.