What Is the Proper Way to Remove Tefillin—And Should It Be Done Away from the Sefer Torah? Removing Tefillin may feel like a simple conclusion to prayer, but Halacha views it as a continuation of the Misva itself. The removal must be done with awareness, order, and reverence— preserving the dignity of the Tefillin until the very end. Which Tefillin Comes Off First? The Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 28:2) rules that the Tefillin Shel Rosh —the head Tefillin— should be removed before the Tefillin Shel Yad —the arm Tefillin. This is based on the principle of Ma'alin BaKodesh Ve'lo Moridin —" we ascend in holiness and do not descend." Since the Tefillin Shel Rosh is considered holier, it is kept on longer. Removing the holier one first would symbolically lower our spiritual standing, so we delay it respectfully. Handling the Tefillin with Respect When removing Tefillin, one should take special care not to treat them casually: Do not drop or fling the straps. Roll the straps neatly around the box, without tangles or knots. Do not place anything on top of the Tefillin boxes , even briefly. Avoid placing Tefillin on the floor or on a chair where people sit. Return them to their bag with care, and place the bag in a respectful location. The Tefillin remain sacred even after removal. As Hacham Ovadia Yosef notes, the Misva of Kavod (honor) for Tefillin applies not just when they're worn, but also when they are being handled and stored. Should One Remove Tefillin in Front of a Sefer Torah? Several Poskim , including Rav Hida and the Ben Ish Hai, stress that Tefillin should not be removed in direct view of an open Sefer Torah , especially during Keri'at HaTorah (Torah reading). Why? Tefillin represent an intense spiritual connection and a symbol of Hashem's Name. Removing them symbolizes a descent from that spiritual height. Doing so in front of the Sefer Torah—another symbol of the covenant—may appear as dishonor. Best practice: Wait until the Torah is returned to the Hechal or covered. If it must be done earlier, step to the side or turn away discreetly. If that's not possible, remove them with added care and seriousness, being mindful of their sanctity. What If Others Are Removing Early? One of the challenges people face is peer pressure. If everyone around is already removing Tefillin—whether out of habit or rushing to work—a person may feel uncomfortable being the only one still wearing them. However, Halacha does not change due to social behavior. A person should be guided by what is proper and respectful, not simply by what others are doing. It is better to be alone in doing what is right than to follow a crowd in treating a Misva lightly. Summary: • Always remove the Tefillin Shel Rosh before the Shel Yad. • Handle Tefillin respectfully: no dropping, flinging, or placing on unclean surfaces. • Avoid removing them in direct view of an open Sefer Torah. • Don't let social habits override halachic dignity. • The end of the Misva should reflect the same reverence as its beginning.