Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 34

Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 34 — English translation

Translation: Sefaria Community Translation. Section numbers match the Hebrew text above.

1. 1The order of the placement [of the head tefillin scrolls] in their compartments [is as follows]: per Rashi and Rambam, [the] "Kadesh" [scroll] goes in the compartment furthest to the left of the one wearing the tefillin, in the compartment on the left edge of the tefillin. After it is [the scroll] "Ki Yeviacha" in the second compartment [counting from the left of the wearer], and [the scroll] of "Shema" in the third compartment, and [the scroll of] "Vehayah Im Shamoa" in the fourth compartment, which is the external compartment on the wearer's right. According toe Rabbenu Tam, in the third compartment one places "Vehayah Im Shamoa" and in the fourth compartment - that is the external one - Shema. And the popularly accepted custom is to follow Rashi and Rambam's view.
2. 2One who fears Heaven will seek to fulfill the commandment according to both views, by making two pairs of tefillin and wearing both. He shall have the intent upon putting them on that, "With the pair that correctly express the true halacha I am fulfilling my obligation, and the remainder are just ordinary straps." [And this is possible to do] as there is space on the head to wear two pairs of tefillin and likewise on the arm. If he does not know the precise place such that he could wear them both simultaneously, then he shall wear according to one view [the tefillin] of arm and head (outtake: and remove them immediately) and then place the other set [upon himself] in reliance on his initial blessing. If (outtake: and there are those who say) he cannot wear them both simultaneously, he should wear those [made according to] Rashi's view and bless upon them and they should be upon him at the time of reading Shema and the Tefilah [aka Shemoneh Esreh]. Then after the Tefilah he shall place tefillin of Rabbenu Tam without a blessing and read, while wearing them, [the paragraphs of] Shema and Vehayah Im Shamoa.
3. 3One shouldn't follow the above practice [of wearing two sets of tefillin, i.e. also wearing those of Rabbenu Tam] unless he is habituated in [muchzak translated per the basis of chazakah] and well-known for [his] piety.
4. 4One shouldn't place two pairs of tefillin in a single pouch, since one of the pairs is profane (relative to the other) and it is prohibited to place it in the same pouch as the [pair that truly are] tefillin. Rather he should make two pouches and a sign on each so that he shouldn't place one set in the other set's pouch.

License: CC0