Kitzur Yomi with Yossi

Does the mitzvah of mezuzah apply only to the doorways of our homes, or does it extend to courtyards, alleyways, and even city gates? And when affixing a mezuzah, why must it be placed on the right side? What happens if someone mistakenly puts it on the left? Does being left-handed make any difference? In today's episode of Kitzur Yomi, we continue Hilchos Mezuzah, Siman 11, covering two se&#3...

Does every doorway in your home require a mezuzah? What if you have several entrances but only use one? And does a doorway used exclusively for deliveries need a mezuzah? Welcome to Hilchos Mezuzah — the laws of mezuzah. In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, we begin Siman 11, Seif 1, exploring the conditions that determine when a house or doorway requires a mezuzah and the responsibility to affix mezuz...

How often should you have your tefillin checked? Do the parshiyos inside need regular examination? And what happens if your tefillin become wet, damaged, or haven't been worn for a long time? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch discusses the halachos of checking tefillin to ensure that they remain kosher. The Kitzur begins with an important principle: Once tefillin have b...

Should tefillin be worn on Chol Hamoed? Why do some communities wear them while others do not? And what happens when people with different customs daven in the same shul? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch discusses the halachic disagreement regarding wearing tefillin during Chol Hamoed, the different customs that developed, and the importance of maintaining unity within a c...

When should a boy begin wearing tefillin? Must he wait until his thirteenth birthday, or can he begin earlier? And what determines whether a child is ready for this important mitzvah? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch discusses the responsibility of a father to prepare his son for the mitzvah of tefillin before Bar Mitzvah. The Kitzur teaches that when a minor reaches the l...

Can you wear tefillin when you're sick? What if you're suffering from stomach problems, physical pain, or an illness that makes it difficult to concentrate? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch explains that wearing tefillin requires both bodily cleanliness and the ability to maintain proper awareness of their holiness. The Kitzur begins by teaching that anyone wearing...

What should you do if you arrive at shul without tefillin and the congregation has already begun davening? Is it better to daven with the minyan without tefillin, or wait until you can borrow a pair? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch teaches an important principle about the relationship between tefillah b'tzibbur, wearing tefillin, and observing the proper times for She...

Does it matter how you arrange your tefillin inside their bag? Should the shel yad be placed on top of the shel rosh? And why should your tallis be positioned above your tefillin? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch teaches that even the way we store our tallis and tefillin should reflect the proper order of performing the mitzvos and respect for their holiness. The Kitzur ex...

Why do we remove the shel rosh before the shel yad? Why should we use our weaker hand to remove tefillin? And why do we kiss them when putting them on and taking them off? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch explains the proper order and manner of removing tefillin, emphasizing the respect and reverence that should accompany the mitzvah from beginning to end. The Kitzur teach...

When is the proper time to remove your tefillin during Shacharis? Should you keep them on until the end of davening? And why are there different customs for Rosh Chodesh, Chol Hamoed, and a day when a bris is performed? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch explains when tefillin should be removed during davening and how the proper timing changes according to the occasion. The...

Can you take a strap from the shel rosh and use it for the shel yad? Can you reverse a damaged tefillin strap? And may a bag that once held tefillin be used for ordinary belongings? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch teaches a fundamental principle concerning sacred objects: Ma'alin Bakodesh V'ein Moridin — We may elevate something to a higher level of holiness, but...

Why do we touch our tefillin while wearing them? And why is there a custom to touch and kiss them during the recitation of Shema? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch teaches that whenever a person thinks about his tefillin, he should touch them. This practice helps maintain awareness of their presence and holiness, preventing his thoughts from becoming improperly diverted fro...

Must you constantly think about your tefillin while wearing them? Can you eat a meal, have a snack, or take a short nap without removing them? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch teaches that as long as a person is wearing tefillin, he must not divert his attention from them, even for a moment. Tefillin possess tremendous kedushah—sanctity—and wearing them requires a heighten...

If you remove your tefillin to use the bathroom, must you recite the berachos again when putting them back on? And what happens if you return while you're already in the middle of davening? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch explains when a new berachah is required after removing tefillin and how to handle this situation during the berachos of Shema. The Kitzur teaches t...

What should you do if your tefillin accidentally fall to the ground? And what happens if the straps turn over so that the white side faces outward? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch teaches us about the proper care, handling, and respect required for the mitzvah of tefillin. First, we must be careful that the black side of the tefillin straps always faces outward. If the st...

Does a left-handed person wear tefillin on the right arm? And what happens if someone writes with one hand but performs most other activities with the other? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch explains how to determine which arm should receive the shel yad, particularly for left-handed and ambidextrous individuals. The general principle is that the shel yad is placed on the...

What happens if you have only one tefillin available? Can you still fulfill the mitzvah if you have only the shel yad or only the shel rosh? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch teaches an important principle: the tefillin of the arm and the tefillin of the head are two separate mitzvos, and neither depends on the other for its fulfillment. Although we normally put on both the...

What should we be thinking about when putting on tefillin? Is it enough to simply place them on our arm and head, or should we have a deeper intention? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch explains the proper kavanah—intention—we should have when fulfilling the mitzvah of tefillin. When putting on tefillin, we should remember that Hashem commanded us to wear tefillin containin...

What happens if you accidentally speak between putting on the shel yad and the shel rosh? Do you need to start over, or can you simply continue? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch explains what to do when an interruption occurs between putting on the two tefillin. As we learned in the previous se'if, the shel yad and shel rosh should be put on without interruption, formi...

May you speak—or even answer Kaddish or Kedushah —between putting on the shel yad and the shel rosh ? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi , the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch teaches that once the shel yad is in place, the shel rosh should follow immediately and without interruption . Talking is forbidden, and one should not unnecessarily delay. Even communicating through a gesture, such as with the eyes or by...

How should the shel yad be positioned, and what happens when a left-handed person has to borrow tefillin made for someone who wears them on the opposite arm? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi , the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch teaches that care should be taken to keep the knot of the shel yad close to the bayis . This applies even when the tefillin are put away in their bag. The yud formed by the knot shoul...

Can anything come between your tefillin and your skin? And does hair count as a separation? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi , the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch teaches that there should be no intervening substance—a chatzitzah—between the tefillin and the body . This applies both to the shel yad on the arm and the shel rosh on the head. Normal, short hair does not constitute a separation. Since hair natura...

What happens if you accidentally take the shel rosh out of your tefillin bag before the shel yad ? Normally, we learned that we do not pass over a mitzvah that has already presented itself— ein ma'avirin al hamitzvos . Does that mean you should put on the shel rosh first? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi , the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch teaches that this case is different . Even if you took out the s...

What is the proper order for putting on tefillin, and when are the berachos recited? In this episode of Kitzur Yomi , the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch teaches that tefillin should be put on while standing . The commentary notes the Sefardic custom, based on the Zohar , of putting on the shel yad while seated, while the berachah is recited standing. The tefillin themselves must be handled with respect. Ra...

Where exactly do the shel yad and shel rosh belong? The Torah speaks of tefillin being “upon your hand” and “between your eyes,” but the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch explains that these phrases have precise halachic meanings. The shel yad is placed on the weaker arm—the left arm for a person whose left arm is weaker. The Torah's unusual spelling of yadecha is understood by our Sages as yad keiha , th...