When does the act of donning tefillin end?

Hi,

When we put on tefillin, we put on the arm tefillin, then we put on the head tefillin, and then we wrap the straps of the arm tefillin around our fingers. However, the mitzvah act is complete once the arm and head tefillin are on, before the wrapping around the fingers.

Therefore: The act of putting on tefillin is complete once one puts on the head tefillin, and after that one may respond "Amen" to a berachah one hears. However, one should not respond "Amen" until after saying the "Baruch Shem Kvod" line, since that is meant to be joined with the berachah on the head tefillin.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:30:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Toupees and Tefillin

Hi,

A toupee which is detachable constitutes an interruption between the scalp and tefillin. Therefore, he should put on tefillin at home without the toupee and with a berachah, and put the head tefillin on at shul over the toupee without a berachah.

Foreign hair which cannot be removed does not constitute an interruption.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:40:18)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Kissing the straps of one's tefillin

Hi,

Theoretically, one could contend that kissing the straps of one's tefillin, after donning the arm tefillin and before donning the head tefillin, would constitute an illegal interruption. However, because this does not cause a delay in donning the head tefillin, this is not a concern.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:10)

Have a great day,
Mordechai