The manner of putting on tefillin | Sheilot

The manner of putting on tefillin

Question

Order of putting on tefillin Shalom, Rabbi. I am a baal teshuva and I wanted to ask about putting on tefillin. I saw that some people wrap seven times and some wrap eight times. What is the best number of wraps? And the shin on the palm of the hand – should it be facing to the right or to the left? My great-great-grandfather, as far as I know, used the Nusach Sefard, but I pray according to Nusach Ashkenaz because that’s what I am used to. And is it permitted to drink coffee while wearing tefillin?

Answer

Shalom u’vracha.

If you follow Ashkenaz customs in all matters, you should follow the Ashkenaz custom in this as well.

The Ashkenaz custom is to make 7 windings. The base of the shin is toward the thumb, and the direction of the windings is from the outside toward the body.

It is permitted to drink coffee while wearing tefillin.

Answered 16 February 2026 How answers are reviewed
Rabbi Israel Cohen
Answered by
Answers questions at Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Smicha "Yoreh-Yoreh" (2012), Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Orach Chaim, Yoreh Deah
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