tefillin

Leather scripture containers

Tefillin are small leather boxes containing Hebrew scripture verses, worn by observant Jewish men during weekday morning prayers.

One box is strapped to the forehead, the other to the upper arm near the heart.

The practice follows biblical commandments to bind God's words as a sign upon the hand and between the eyes.

Also called phylacteries.

components

shin

Front lower leg

strapsNarrow securing bands
boxesSix-sided containers
knotTied rope fastening

housings · scrolls · parchment · leather · black · square

ritual

shacharit

Jewish dawn worship service

bindingLegally or morally required
wrappingOuter covering material
donningTo put on clothing

placement · arm · forehead · bicep · hairline · seven · coils · blessing · weekday · morning

significance

sign

Mark conveying information

remembranceAct of holding something in mind
covenantBinding formal pledge
devotionDeep, loyal commitment

submission · dedication · awareness · mindfulness · connection · exodus · bind · hand · heart · Torah

practice

bar mitzvah

Jewish adulthood ceremony

dailyPer diem, repeated
weekdayNon-weekend calendar day
minyanJewish prayer quorum

synagogue · tallit · siddur · preparation · storage · bag · mirror · left-handed · customs · checking

craftsmanship

sofer

Jewish sacred text copyist

scribeManual document copier
kosherPermissible by Jewish law
tanningCuring hides or bronzing

sewing · sinew · blackening · forming · checking · inspection · cowhide · calligraphy

Opposites

sacred vs. secular objects

tefillincostume jewelry

Non-precious decorative adornments

fashion accessories · bling · vanity items · baubles

jewish ritual objects vs. other religious traditions' sacred objects

tefillinrosary

Beaded prayer counter

crucifix · prayer beads · prayer wheel · religious icons

Family

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G