Ashkenazi Tefillin

Ashkenazi Tefillin

It is important to be aware of the two categories of Tefillin - Ashkenazi and Sephardi Tefillin. Both are Kosher, reputable and accepted. Each person should follow his custom and chose what is relevant for his background and ancestry. Ashkenazi refers to Jews who originate from Western Europe and Sephardi Jews are those who trace their origin to Oriental Middle East countries. If there are any questions, a competent Rabbi should be consulted.

When it comes to Tefillin, there are three main differences between Ashkenazi and Sephardi Tefillin: the shape of the Shin letter on the box of the Tefillin, the writing style on the parchments and the manner in which the hand straps are tied.

At tefillin. biz you will find a choice of Tefillin in both Ashkenazi and Sephardic style. For the sake of simplicity and convenience, we have placed them in separate categories so you can find easily and simply what you are looking for.

There is a great range of prices in the cost of Tefillin. Nobody is taking advantage of you. The more expensive Tefillin reflect a genuine improvement in quality, kashrut and long standing sturdiness. So, if your Tefillin are important for you and you want them to last a lifetime, we recommend an investment in quality Tefillin.

The first level of low-cost Tefillin are the Peshutim - made with various leniencies. The inner parts comprise of pieces of parchment and leather glued together. The parchments are handwritten by a competent scribe but are not computer checked and they do not carry a guarantee.

The next stage in low-cost Ashkenazi Tefillin are Bar Mitzvah Tefillin - intended for the boy who is wearing Tefillin for the first time. Although this too has leniencies, the parchment has been written by Tefillin.biz certified scribe and it has been computer checked and is guaranteed.

Tefillin Peshutim Mehudarim is the next stage. They too are crafted from separate pieces of leather glued together and the boxes are made from the less expensive and lightweight goatskin. However, the parchments come with a computer check certificate and tefillin.biz stands by the accuracy of the writing of these Tefillin. However, these tefillin are fragile and need to be handled with great care so that the boxes do not become rubbed at the corner and lose their exact square shape.

For those who prefer a larger box, tefillin.biz offers at a nominal additional cost, Tefillin Boxes that are 35 millimeters wide on each side instead of the usual 32.

A little more costly are the Tefillin Dakkot. These are made in the more preferable manner – a single piece of leather stretched over the base. The boxes of these tefillin are stronger and more durable. However, they still need special care to ensure that they do not get damaged. Dakkot Ohr Echad Tefillin are even more halachically acceptable.

Advancing to the top level are the Tefillin Gassot. The boxes here are made from a single piece of superior thick cow-hide leather that has been softened, dried and pressed by a special process that takes time, effort and manpower. They are usually strong enough to last a lifetime. Hence, the high cost.

There are three kinds of Gassot: Gassot, Gassot Miksheh level B and Miksheh Level A. Each one has various levels of hidurim – that is, enhancing the Mitzvah so that it should be done in the most perfect way possible. In Miksheh A and B, the boxes and straps are hand-made and the box is skillfully formed from a single piece of leather stretched to the form of the box. Level A has even more enhancing details making this a magnificent pair of Tefillin that will become a family heirloom.

Needless to say, the quality of the Tefillin parchments is proportionate to the cost of the Boxes. The higher the cost of the Tefillin, the higher will be the quality of the parchment scroll.

We know that even after reading the above, you may feel confused and have many questions. Pick up a phone and call our staff. They are trained to answer all your queries and their guidance and recommendation will help you make the decision on which Tefillin best suit your budget and life style.