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Should One Place Tefillin While Sitting or Standing—And What If the Community Follows a Different Custom?
Should One Place Tefillin While Sitting or Standing—And What If the Community Follows a Different Custom? The Sephardic custom, rooted in the rulings of Maran in the Shulhan Aruch (O.H. 25:5), is to don the Tefillin Shel Yad while sitting , and the Tefillin Shel Rosh while standing . This is not simply a question of posture but reflects a deeper understanding of the nature of each Tefillin and its associated Misva. The Tefillin Shel Yad is considered a private and personal obligation . It is hidden, placed on the weaker part of the body, and not seen by others during prayer. In contrast, the Tefillin Shel Rosh sits openly on the head, between the eyes, and represents a public declaration of our bond with Hashem. Because of its visibility and its connection to communal holiness, the Tefillin Shel Rosh is given more formality, which includes the standing position when placing it. The Ben Ish Hai (Parashat Vayera) emphasizes this distinction, explaining that the Shel Yad is associated with the heart , representing internal service of Hashem (Avodat HaLev), while the Shel Rosh is associated with the mind , representing Torah and public sanctity. Therefore, sitting for the Shel Yad reflects modesty and inwardness, while standing for the Shel Rosh expresses reverence and honor. What If One Is in an Ashkenazi Minyan That Stands for Both? In Ashkenazi practice, it is common to stand for both the Shel Yad and Shel Rosh. This can present a challenge for a Sephardi who finds himself in such a minyan. Should he follow his custom to sit for the Shel Yad, or should he stand to avoid standing out? Hacham Ovadia Yosef (in Yabia Omer , vol. 1, O.H. 4 and Halichot Olam ) rules clearly that one should not deviate from the Sephardic custom , even when praying in an Ashkenazi congregation. The halachic principle of "Al Titosh Torat Imecha"—do not abandon the tradition of your fathers—applies here. A person should not feel pressured to change his practice in order to "fit in," especially in a matter that has solid halachic and kabbalistic support. Moreover, this practice is not offensive to others. In most cases, no one pays much attention to who is standing or sitting during Tefillin. But even if someone notices, preserving one's mesora (halachic tradition) takes precedence over conforming for the sake of appearance. In the reverse case—an Ashkenazi praying in a Sephardic minyan—it is likewise appropriate for him to stand for both Tefillin, according to his custom. Kabbalistic Reasoning The Mekubalim, particularly the Hida and the Ben Ish Hai , stress the spiritual distinctions between the two Tefillin. According to the Zohar HaKadosh , the Tefillin Shel Yad corresponds to the sefirah of Gevurah and is internal, while the Tefillin Shel Rosh corresponds to the sefirah of Hokhmah and projects spiritual light outward. These ideas are only heightened when the Tefillin are placed with proper kavana (intent), posture, and awareness of their function. In short, sitting for the Shel Yad enhances the quality of its intent as a private covenant with Hashem. Summary: Sephardim should place the Tefillin Shel Yad while sitting , and the Tefillin Shel Rosh while standing. This custom follows Maran in Shulhan Aruch and is further supported by the Ben Ish Hai and Mekubalim. Even in an Ashkenazi minyan, Sephardim should not deviate from their custom. This posture reflects both halachic rulings and the inner meaning of each Tefillin.
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By Rabbi Eli J. Mansour
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7070 ratings
Should One Place Tefillin While Sitting or Standing—And What If the Community Follows a Different Custom? The Sephardic custom, rooted in the rulings of Maran in the Shulhan Aruch (O.H. 25:5), is to don the Tefillin Shel Yad while sitting , and the Tefillin Shel Rosh while standing . This is not simply a question of posture but reflects a deeper understanding of the nature of each Tefillin and its associated Misva. The Tefillin Shel Yad is considered a private and personal obligation . It is hidden, placed on the weaker part of the body, and not seen by others during prayer. In contrast, the Tefillin Shel Rosh sits openly on the head, between the eyes, and represents a public declaration of our bond with Hashem. Because of its visibility and its connection to communal holiness, the Tefillin Shel Rosh is given more formality, which includes the standing position when placing it. The Ben Ish Hai (Parashat Vayera) emphasizes this distinction, explaining that the Shel Yad is associated with the heart , representing internal service of Hashem (Avodat HaLev), while the Shel Rosh is associated with the mind , representing Torah and public sanctity. Therefore, sitting for the Shel Yad reflects modesty and inwardness, while standing for the Shel Rosh expresses reverence and honor. What If One Is in an Ashkenazi Minyan That Stands for Both? In Ashkenazi practice, it is common to stand for both the Shel Yad and Shel Rosh. This can present a challenge for a Sephardi who finds himself in such a minyan. Should he follow his custom to sit for the Shel Yad, or should he stand to avoid standing out? Hacham Ovadia Yosef (in Yabia Omer , vol. 1, O.H. 4 and Halichot Olam ) rules clearly that one should not deviate from the Sephardic custom , even when praying in an Ashkenazi congregation. The halachic principle of "Al Titosh Torat Imecha"—do not abandon the tradition of your fathers—applies here. A person should not feel pressured to change his practice in order to "fit in," especially in a matter that has solid halachic and kabbalistic support. Moreover, this practice is not offensive to others. In most cases, no one pays much attention to who is standing or sitting during Tefillin. But even if someone notices, preserving one's mesora (halachic tradition) takes precedence over conforming for the sake of appearance. In the reverse case—an Ashkenazi praying in a Sephardic minyan—it is likewise appropriate for him to stand for both Tefillin, according to his custom. Kabbalistic Reasoning The Mekubalim, particularly the Hida and the Ben Ish Hai , stress the spiritual distinctions between the two Tefillin. According to the Zohar HaKadosh , the Tefillin Shel Yad corresponds to the sefirah of Gevurah and is internal, while the Tefillin Shel Rosh corresponds to the sefirah of Hokhmah and projects spiritual light outward. These ideas are only heightened when the Tefillin are placed with proper kavana (intent), posture, and awareness of their function. In short, sitting for the Shel Yad enhances the quality of its intent as a private covenant with Hashem. Summary: Sephardim should place the Tefillin Shel Yad while sitting , and the Tefillin Shel Rosh while standing. This custom follows Maran in Shulhan Aruch and is further supported by the Ben Ish Hai and Mekubalim. Even in an Ashkenazi minyan, Sephardim should not deviate from their custom. This posture reflects both halachic rulings and the inner meaning of each Tefillin.