Travel Size (Pitzponim) Tefillin Batim and Retzuot Guide
Tefillin Quality Details CHARTS
| Quality Tier | Batim (Houses) | Retzuot (Straps) |
|---|---|---|
| Kosher Lechatchila | Shapira - Ribua Regel Mechaven (שפירא - ריבוע רגל מכוון) | Malchut David (מלכות דוד) |
| Mehudar B | Shapira - Ribua Regel Mechaven (שפירא - ריבוע רגל מכוון) | Elboim (אלבוים רצועות) |
| Mehudar | Shapira - Ribua Regel Mechaven (שפירא - ריבוע רגל מכוון) | Elboim (אלבוים רצועות) |
Tefillin Batim Details
שפירא - ריבוע רגל מכוון
SHAPIRA - RIBUA REGEL MECHAVEN
| Quality | Batim | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Details | English Translation | Explanation | |
|
Kosher Lechatchila Mehudar B Mehudar |
ריבוע רגל (Ribua Regel) | Human powered foot pedal | The process of squaring the (batim compartments) is humanly powered (by foot pedal, not electric). |
| מכוון (Mechaven) | Visible sinew | There is a visible external sinew that passes from the outside between the partitions of the tefillin of the head, and is not just internal as in fully separated Perudot. | |
| מעור משובח (Me'or Meshubach) | Superior leather | Refers to high-quality leather used in the production of tefillin, enhancing their durability, appearance, and overall quality. | |
| ללא חשש בכור (Lo Chashash Bechor) | Without concern of firstborn | Ensures that the leather used does not come from a firstborn animal, adhering to halachic requirements. | |
| עיבוד בסיד בעבודת יד (Ibud Basid BeAvodat Yad) | Processed with lime by hand | Refers to the method of tanning the leather using lime, done manually to ensure quality and adherence to traditional methods and halachic standards. | |
| השין משוך ביד (HaShin Mashukh BeYad) | The shin made by hand | Pertains to the shin letter on the tefillin shel rosh, indicating it is drawn by hand, following traditional methods and halachic requirements. | |
| כשרות הרב משה שאול קליין (Kashrut HaRav Moshe Shaul Klein) | Kashrut certification by Rabbi Moshe Shaul Klein. | Refers to the kosher certification provided by Rabbi Moshe Shaul Klein, a prominent halachic authority and dayan, known for his expertise in the laws of kashrut and Jewish law. His certification is respected and trusted for its adherence to stringent halachic standards. | |
Tefillin Strap (Retzuot) Details
מלכות דוד רצועות
MALCHUT DAVID RETZUOT
| Quality | Straps | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Details | English Translation | Explanation | |
|
Kosher Lechatchila |
רצועות מהודרות (Retzuot Mehudarot) | Superior straps | Refers to the high-quality leather straps used in the tefillin, indicating they are made to exacting standards for enhanced durability and aesthetics. |
| עבודת יד (Avodat Yad) | Handcrafted | Indicates that the straps are made by hand, ensuring careful craftsmanship and adherence to traditional methods. | |
| מעור עליון (Me'or Elyon) | Top layer of hide leather | Refers to the top-quality leather used for making the straps, which is from the top layer of hide. | |
| נעשו בהשגחה צמודה והידור רב (Naasu Behashgacha Tzmuda VeHidur Rav) | Made under close supervision | Made under close supervision with many Hiddurim. | |
| מתחילת העיבוד והצביעה והחיתוך לשם קדושת התפילין והכל (Leshem Kedushat HaTefillin) | For the sanctity of the tefillin for the whole process | Indicates that the production process, from the initial stages of leather processing, dyeing, and cutting, is carried out with the intention of maintaining the sanctity of the tefillin. | |
| כשרות בד"ץ ומרכז רבני אירופה (Kashrut Badatz V'Merkaz Rabanei Europa) | Certification of Kashrut by Badatz and the Rabbinical Centre of Europe. | Refers to the kosher certification provided by the Badatz (Beit Din Tzedek), along with the Rabbinical Centre of Europe, ensuring adherence to the highest standards of halachic compliance. | |
Tefillin Strap (Retzuot) Details
אלבוים רצועות
ELBOIM RETZUOT
| Level has all the Hiddurim of the previous levels in addition to what is below | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Straps | ||
| Product Details | English Translation | Explanation | |
|
Mehudar B Mehudar |
עורות הרצועות ללא חשש בכורות (Ein Chashash Bechorot) | No concern of Bechor status | The hides are sourced in a manner that avoids halachic concerns relating to a firstborn kosher animal. |
| זהירות יתירה בצביעה שלא יטפטף צבע על העור שלא בכוונה לשמה (Zehirut Yeteira BiTzvi’ah) | Extra care during the dyeing process | Special precautions are taken so that no dye reaches the leather without the proper lishmah intention. | |
| אין שום חציצה בין הצבע לעור [אימפרגנציה] (Ein Shum Chatzitzah Bein HaTzeva LaOr) | No barrier between the dye and leather | The blackening is applied directly to the leather, without an intervening impregnation layer between the color and the hide. | |
| אין שום חציצה בין העור ובשר הפנימי [מודבק] (Ein Shum Chatzitzah Bein HaOr U’Vasar HaPnimi) | No intervening glued layer within the leather | The strap is produced without an additional glued or separating layer between the outer leather and its inner flesh side. | |
| חיתוך הרצועה נעשה בעבודת יד לשמה (Chituch HaRetzuah Naaseh BeAvodat Yad Lishmah) | Straps are cut by hand lishmah | In addition to the general handmade production of the previous level, the actual cutting of the straps is specifically performed by hand with lishmah intention. | |
| צבוע בשחור גם מצידי הרצועה במקום החיתוך [כמובא בקסת הסופר] (Tzavua BeShachor Gam MiTzidei HaRetzuah) | Cut edges are also blackened | The sides exposed when the strap is cut are also dyed black, following the practice cited in Keset HaSofer. | |