Tefillin on the First Day of Shiva When Not Feeling Much Grief

This question and answer were automatically translated using our trained AI and have not yet been reviewed by a qualified rabbi. Please treat this translation with caution.
go to original →

Question

If someone feels that they are not very grieved by the death of a relative, should they put on tefillin on the first day?

Answer

Even if one feels that they are not very grieved, and the main rule that tefillin is not worn on the first day is because it is the primary time of mourning, nevertheless, it is forbidden to wear tefillin as it is a disrespect to the tefillin and the mourning.


Source

Rashi in Tractate Sukkah, page 25a, writes: "And a mourner is not adorned, and when adorned, he shows that he is not mourning." Therefore, this reason applies even when he is not grieving, as he shows that he is not mourning.

And in Rashi, Tractate Ketubot, page 6: "Your crown is upon you (Ezekiel 24), and a mourner is covered in dust, and this is not an adornment for tefillin." This implies that it is a disrespect to the tefillin. Perhaps this reason does not apply when he is not covered in dust. However, Rashi's first reason is certainly more applicable when he is not grieving.


Comments

Have an additional question on this topic or need clarification? Leave your comment below. (Please note that the comment will not be published but will be sent directly to the answering Rabbi for review and a private response)

Please sign up or log in to submit your comment

Become our patrners in supporting and spreading the Torah
Help us answer more questions faster and better
Join the mission
More questions in this category