PHYLACTERIES. In the Gospel of Matthew (q.v.) Jesus is represented as saying (xxiii. 5), with reference to the Scribes and Pharisees : " But all their works they do for to be seen of men : they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their gar ments." The word phylacteries is Greek. It was used as the equivalent of the Hebrew word Totilfoth (FRONT LETS). In the Old Testament it is said (Deuteronomy vi. 8), with reference to the words of God : " And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes." The practice of writing sacred words or formulas on pieces of parch ment and using them as amulets and charms has been common among primitive folk. The passage in Deuteronomy may be understood in this way. It is possible, however, that originally the words were not intended to be taken literally. In any case, in course of time they came to be interpreted literally, and it became the custom to wear phylacteries. The phylactery
was a small black square box made of skin. The box contained passages from the Old Testament (the Torah) written on parchment. It was attached to the arm or head of a person by long leather straps. The box, the parchment, and the straps had to be made of the skin of a " clean " animal. In the Targums the Aramaic equivalent of phylacteries is Tefillin (the Hebrew word in the Singular, tefillah, means " prayer "). This is the term which has come into common use among the Jews. They speak of the " Ann-Tefillah " (or Hand-Tefillah) and the " Head-Tefillah." The Tefillin are now worn during the daily morning service: but it is not considered necessary to wear them on Sabbaths or Holy Days. They are not worn by women; nor by boys until they are thirteen years old. See W. 0. E. Oesterley and G. H. Box.