phylacteries

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phylacteries [Gr.,=safeguard], two small leather boxes worn during morning prayers by Orthodox and Conservative Jews after the age of 13 years and one day. Each box contains strips of parchment inscribed with verses from the Scriptures: Ex. 13.1–10; 13.11–16; Deut. 6.4–9; 11.13–21. One box is fastened to the forehead and the other to the left arm; they are intended to serve as a reminder of the constant presence of God and of the need to keep Him uppermost in one's thoughts and deeds, thereby safeguarding the wearer against committing a sin. They are not worn on the Sabbath or holy days, since these days are in themselves a reminder of God. Phylacteries are also called tephillin [Aramaic,=attachment].

phylactery a small leather box containing Hebrew texts on vellum, worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law.

The two boxes are worn on the arm (usually the left) and the forehead, with the same four texts inserted into each. These are Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and 13–21 and Exodus 13:1–10 and 11–16.

Recorded from late Middle English, the word comes via late Latin from Greek phulaktērion ‘amulet’, from phulassein ‘to guard’.

phylacteries Small leather cases, mentioned in the Law (Exod. 13: 9; Deut. 6: 8). They were worn in NT times by Pharisees and some others and were attached to the forehead and the left arm of males when reciting daily prayers. Inside the cases were texts from the Pentateuch. Scribes and Pharisees were alleged to make a display of exaggerated piety by making their phylacteries more conspicuous than was necessary (Matt. 23: 5).

phylactery small box containing four texts of Scripture worn by Jews as a reminder of the obligation to keep the law. XIV; in various uses from XVII. Early forms fil-, philaterie — OF. *filaterie, -atiere — late L. fyl-, phylactērium — Gr. phulaktḗrion safeguard, amulet, f. phulaktḗr guard.

phylactery. A small leather case containing vellum strips inscribed with four passages from the OT. From pre-Christian times orthodox Jews have worn them on the forehead and arm during morning prayer on most days of the year to remind them of their obligation to keep the law.

phy·lac·ter·y / fīˈlaktərē/ • n. (pl. -ter·ies) a small leather box containing Hebrew texts on vellum, worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law.

Phylacteries (containers for Jewish commands): see TEFILLIN.

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