When to Check One’s Tefillin

Contrary to widespread belief, there is actually no true obligation for one to ever check one’s tefillin.[1] In fact, there were many great sages who never did so.[2] One who personally prepared his own tefillin, or purchased them from a reliable individual, is not required to ever have them checked unless they are damaged or begin to show signs of wear and tear.[3] This is based on the principle of "chazaka," presumption, which teaches that once something is established or certified, there is no reason to suspect that its status has changed. In this case, once tefillin are certified as kosher, they are assumed to remain kosher unless there is reason to suggest otherwise.[4]

Nevertheless, one is strongly encouraged to check one’s tefillin from time to time, and not doing so is considered to be a breach of common custom. As the Aruch Hashulchan writes, "It is well known that after a few years the ink peels off the parchments…Therefore, it seems to me that one is required to periodically check one's tefillin, and one should be sure to do so."[5] There are, however, many different opinions and customs as to what exactly "periodically" means.

According to the Talmud, one should check one's tefillin once a year.[6] Indeed, a number of authorities suggest that this approach is alluded to in the Torah itself.[7] This was the accepted custom of the Jewish communities in France.[8] Another more popular custom, is to check one's tefillin "twice in seven years" or approximately every three and a half years.[9] It is more than likely that this custom was adapted from the requirement to check one's mezuzot "twice in seven years."[10]

It is considered especially meritorious to check one's tefillin every year in the month of Elul. Doing so is said to assist in tipping the scales of judgment in one’s favor during the High Holiday season.[11] One who finds tefillin should not wear them until they are checked. Similarly, one who inherits tefillin, or is given the tefillin of one who passed away, should have them checked before using them.[12] One who had a dream that his tefillin are not kosher should consider having them checked, as well.[13]

Sweat is known to slowly seep into tefillin which can ruin the letters on the parchments and cause the batim to warp out of shape. Therefore, one who sweats while wearing tefillin, and certainly one who wears tefillin with wet hair, should be sure to check his tefillin every so often.[14] So too, one whose tefillin fell into water, or were exposed to extreme heat or cold, is required to have them checked, and they should not be worn until this is done.[15] One who owns a pair of tefillin that are used infrequently, such as one who has multiple pairs of tefillin and rotates between them, is required to check them from time to time.[16]

One who, for whatever reason, feels that his tefillin should be checked, but there is no one in the area who is able to do so, may continue to wear his tefillin. Nevertheless, the accompanying blessing(s) should not be recited if there is good reason to suspect that the tefillin are no longer kosher.[17] Indeed, a number of authorities rule that one is only required to ever check one’s tefillin if one suspects that there may be a problem. This is because today’s tefillin are of a higher quality than they were in past generations and are not likely to become damaged in the course of routine wear. In fact, it is possible to accidentally invalidate tefillin when putting them back together after checking them![18]

[1] OC 39:10.

[2] Yerushalmi Eruvin 26a.

[3] Menachot 35a.

[4] Rambam, Hilchot Tefillin 2:11; Tur, OC 39.

[5] Aruch Hashulchan, OC 39:6. See also Kaf Hachaim (Palagi) 10:35.

[6] Yerushalmi Eruvin 26a.

[7] Shemot 13:10; Tosfot, Menachot 42b s.v tefillin.

[8] Orchot Chaim, Tefillin 29.

[9] Tosfot, Menachot 43a; Chayei Adam 14:20.

[10] Tur, OC 39.

[11] Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:3; Mateh Ephraim 551:10.

[12] Shevet Hakehati 3:33; Lishkat Hasofer 18.

[13] Mekor Chaim 39:10.

[14] Knesset Hagedola, OC 39; Magen Avraham 39:14; Shulchan Aruch Harav 39:11; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 10:26.

Mishna Berura 39:26. See also Halichot Shlomo 4:36.

[15] Masechet Tefillin 8; Magen Avraham 39:15; Mishna Berura 39:26; Aruch Hashulchan, OC 39:6; Chayei Adam 14:20; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 10:26.

[16] OC 39:1; Shulchan Aruch Harav 39:11; Mishnat Hasofer 24:3.

[17] Rema, OC 39:10; Mishna Berura 39:26.

[18] Halichot Shlomo 4:36.