How Do You Spell TEFILLIN?

Pronunciation: [tˈɛfɪlˌɪn] (IPA)

The word "tefillin" or "tefilin" (תפילין) is a Hebrew term that refers to the small leather boxes worn by observant Jewish men during morning prayers. The spelling of the word may vary depending on the transliteration system used, but the IPA phonetic transcription is /təˈfɪlɪn/. The "e" is pronounced as a schwa sound, while the emphasis is placed on the second syllable. The spelling of Hebrew transliterations is often a matter of convention, but the IPA helps to clarify pronunciation across different languages.

TEFILLIN Meaning and Definition

1. Tefillin, also known as phylacteries, is a pair of black leather boxes containing biblical texts that Jewish men above bar mitzvah age traditionally wear during morning prayers. The word "tefillin" derives from the Hebrew word "tefillah," meaning prayer or prayerful action. It is an essential component of the Jewish religious practice, particularly in Orthodox and Conservative denominations.

   Each tefillin consists of two compartments, one for the head and the other for the arm. The head tefillin contains four small parchments, each inscribed with passages from the Torah, while the arm tefillin has one parchment with the same texts. The parchments include verses from the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy, specifically the Shema Yisrael commandment, emphasizing the oneness of God and the duty to love and serve God with all one's heart and soul.

   Jewish men wrap the tefillin around their dominant arm and bind it seven times while reciting specific blessings. They also place the head tefillin above their hairline, positioning it across the forehead, forming a knot at the back of the head. This ritual symbolizes the connection between the intellect (represented by the head) and the actions of the hand, combining faith and action.

   Wearing tefillin is a tangible expression of Jewish identity, reminding individuals of their obligations to God and their religious heritage. The act is believed to facilitate focused prayer, spiritual unity, and an elevated level of consciousness. Tefillin serves as a constant reminder for Jewish men to maintain a sincere and dedicated commitment to Jewish values and commandments throughout their daily lives.

Common Misspellings for TEFILLIN

• fefillin
• gefillin
• yefillin
• 6efillin
• 5efillin
• twfillin
• tsfillin
• tdfillin
• trfillin
• t4fillin
• t3fillin
• tedillin
• tecillin
• tevillin
• tegillin
• tetillin
• terillin
• tefullin
• tefjllin
• tefkllin

Etymology of TEFILLIN

The word "tefillin" (also spelled "tefillin" or "phylacteries") has its etymology rooted in Hebrew. The Hebrew term for this religious item is תְּפִלִּין, pronounced "tefillin" in English letters.

The etymology of "tefillin" can be traced back to the Hebrew word "tefillah", which means "prayer". "Tefillah" stems from the Hebrew root פ־ל־ל (P-L-L), a concept related to judgment, distinguishing, or discerning.

The term "tefillin" specifically refers to the set of small black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah. These boxes are worn by Jewish men during weekday morning prayers.