ten thereon in four columns, each column having seven lines. On column i is written Exod. xiii, 1-10, treating on the sanctification of the first-born, and containing the injunction about the phylacteries; on col. ii, Exod. xiii, 11-1G, which also treats on the sanctification of the first-born, and repeats the injunction about the phylac- teries ; on col. iii, Deut. vi, 4-9, enjoining that the law and the command about the phylacteries should be in- culcated into the minds of the rising generation ; and on col. iv is written Deut. xi, 13-21, describing the bless- ing attached to the keeping of the law, and to the ob- servance of the command about the phylacteries. The order, therefore, of the passages of Scripture is as fol- lows :
Deut. xi, 13-5
Deut.
i, 1-10
The slip is rolled up, put inside, tied with white and well-washed hairs of a calf or cow, generally obtained from the tail, and put into the box; a flap connected with the brim is then drawn over the open part and sewed firmly down to the thick leather brim, in such a manner as to form a loop on one side, through which passes a very long leather strap (!~t"1^~i), wherewith
Phylactery for the Ann.
the phylactery is fastened to the arm. The box of which the phylactery for the head (CS1 3113 tl^EH) is made has on the outside to the right the regular three-pronged letter Shin, being an abbreviation for 1*1113, the Almighty, and on the left side a four-pronged letter Shin (Sabbath, 28 b). In the inside are four cells, in which are deposited four slips of parchment, whereon are written the same four passages of Scripture as on the one slip in the phylactery for the hand. The box is closed in the same manner, and a thong passes through the loop with which it is fastened to the head.
The phylacteries, like the Mezuzah, i. e. the scrolls on the door-posts, must be written in Hebrew charac- ters, while the law may be written in Greek (Mishna, Megilla, i, 8). Every Jew, from the time that he is thirteen years of age, when he is considered a member
PHYLACTERY
Phylactery for the Head.
of the congregation i itlSia "- I, i- obliged to wear the phylacteries during the time of morning prayer, every daj excepl on Sabbath and festivals. Before commenc- ing his devotions he firs) puts on one on the left arm through ilif sling formed by the long strap. Having fastened it just above the elbow, on the inner pari of the naked arm. in such a manner that whim the arm is bent the phylactery may toucb the fiesh and be near the heart, to fulfil the precept, "Ye shall lay up these words in your heart," he first twists the long strap three times close to the phylactery, forming a Skin, whicb stands for "Ti". pronouncing the following bene-
diction : - Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who nasi sanctified us with thy command- ments and enjoined us to put on the phylacteries." He then twists the long leather strap seven times around the arm (in the form of two Skins, one with three prongs and the other with four), and puts on the phy- lactery "ii the head, placing it exactly in the centre between the eyes, so as to touch the spot « here the hair ■ grow, and in fore he secures it pronounces the following benediction: "Blessed art thou. <) Lord our God, King of the universe, who hasl sanctified us with thy commandments, and enjoined upon us the command about the phylacteries;" and immediately alter adjust- ing it say-. •• Blessed be the name of the glory of his kingdom foreveT and ever" (Maimonides, Tad ITa-Che- zaha, HUckoth Tephillin, iv,5). He then winds the end
afrk
Phylactery on the A
,6 PHYLACTERY
j of the long leather strap three times around his middle finger, and the remainder around the hand, saying, "I will betroth thee unto me forever, yea. I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in mercy, and thou .-halt know the Lord" i Hos. ii. 19).
There is no special canon about the biz< of the boxes (DTO) which contain the slips and thus constitute the phylacteries. They are generally made an inch and a half square, and are wom during morning prayer. excepl mi Sabbath and festii als, because th< se daj - be- ing themselves a sign (T'X) require no other sign or pledge (Maimonides, ibid.iv, 10). The pious Jews who i id in the study of the law. and in meditations, also wear them during these hallowed engagements; they make the phylacteries a little larger than the ordinary ones to give more space, and hence mure dis- tinctness to every letter and wind composing the writ- ing inside, and walk with the phylacteries on from one place to another. The hypocrites among the Pharisees imitated this, and made their phylacteries more than ordinarily large, so as to make them conspicuous and visible to any one at a distance, thereby to indicate that they were praying or in holy meditation, which our Saviour rebuked (Matt xxiii. 5). If the phylacteries are written by an infidel they must be burned; and if written by a Samaritan, an informer, a slave, a woman, or a minor, they are unlawful and must be shut up (Maimonides, ibid. i. 13). The Sadducees wore the phylacteries on the forehead or brow, and on the palm of the hand ( Maimonides, ibid. iv, 3).