THE LAWS OF TEFILLIN
Tefillin have two basic parts, the box (bayis) and the straps (retzu-os). The
Tefillin are always black and must be square and not chipped. The straps come out
from the back of the Tefillin. The bayis has a greater Kedusha (holiness) because it
contains four parshiyos of the Torah written on parchment. On the outside of the
bayis of the head, there are four lines which mark the sections where the four
parshiyos are found inside. There is a letter "shin" on both sides of the bayis. The
straps are wrapped and meet at the back of the head. There the straps form a knot
that is shaped like the letter "daled". On the bayis of the arm there is a knot in the
form of a "yud". When all three letters are put together, the name "Shadai" is
spelled, which is one of the names of Hashem.
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