Checking Teffilin & Mezuzot During Elul

Halacha Moment
Sep 7, 2022
2 min read

Updated: Sep 4

The Daily Halacha Moment - Checking Teffilin & Elul 📙

״כל השונה הלכות בכל יום - מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא״ (נידה עג ע״א, מגילה כח:)

“Anyone who studies Halachot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the world-to-come” (Megilla 28b, Niddah 73a)

Question:

Is one obligated to check his Teffilin during the month of Elul?

What berachah in Shemoneh Esrei should one have extra Kavanah during the month of Elul?

Answer:

While there is no formal obligation to do so, it is nevertheless considered praiseworthy and commendable for a person to have his tefillin and mezuzot inspected by a qualified sofer (scribe) during the month of Elul. This period, which leads up to the High Holy Days, is traditionally a time of spiritual introspection and increased attention to religious observance. Although tefillin do not require periodic checking unless there is a specific concern or reason to suspect damage, and mezuzot are only halachically required to be checked approximately once every three and a half years, many individuals take the opportunity during Elul to go beyond the letter of the law and ensure that these sacred items are in proper condition. [1]

During Elul, and especially during the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah, when reciting the berachah of Hashivenu Avinu leToratecha, one should have in mind the request that Hashem help the unobservant Jews to repent. If one knows of someone specifically, he should have that person in mind, and may even recite names, especially of family members. [2]

Sources:

[1]. Yechaveh Daat 1:49; Chazon Ovadia, Yamim Nora’im, p. 26; Torat HaMoadim, Yamim Nora’im, p. 2; Yalkut Yosef, Yamim Nora’im, p. 84; Ohr LeTzion, vol. 4, 1:6. See also Orchot Maran, vol. 1, p. 97, which states that Chacham Ovadia Yosef was not particularly stringent to check his tefillin and mezuzot every Elul.

[2]. Chazon Ovadia, Yamim Nora’im, p. 25, 21, in the name of Rabbi David Amar, Tefillah LeDavid, Siman 212. See also Yalkut Yosef, Yamim Nora’im, p. 81.

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