Why are tefillin square shape?
Question
Why are tefillin batim cubes, other than because Moses said? Does anyone know or can direct me to who may know? Would you also cite your source, please? Thank you.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
The Talmud in Meseches Shabbos 28a and in Meseches Menachot 35a asks your question and says it is 'Halacha lemoshe Misinai' - Meaning that we don't have a source in the actual Torah but this specific Halacha was taught to Moshe when he accepted the Torah at Sinai and was passed on from generation to generation.
wishing you lots of success
Answered by
Head of the English department at sheilot.com, Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Graduate of Yeshivas Ponovezh and Kollel Ponovezh, tested by Mifal Halacha, Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah (2022–2026)
Basar Vecholv, Ta'aroves, Ribis, Laws of Shabbos, Yom Tov, Chol Hamoed, Niddah, Tzitzis and Tefillin, Eiruvin, Succah
About the Rabbi
Source
Talmud Bavli: Tractate Shabbos 28a, Tractate Menachot 35a.
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