Tell me more ×
Mi Yodeya is a question and answer site for those who base their lives on Jewish law and tradition and anyone interested in learning more. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 4 down vote favorite

If I don't have a known family minhag regarding this, how should I decide whether to wear tefillin during Chol HaMoed? Which communities generally follow each option, and what are the reasons behind each?

Also, does it make a difference if I am in Israel (either for a visit or permanently)? I hear that in Israel as a whole there is a pervasive and strong disposition not to wear tefillin during Chol Hamoed. And if I am supposed to wear tefillin, what would I do on 2nd day on Yom Tov if I am visiting Israel?

share|improve this question
Did you wear tefillin during the last time it was chol hamoed or not? If so, then that is your minhag, but if not, then no. Because either way you have been fulfilling one of the minhagim, and both are acceptable and in accordance with halacha. – Adam Mosheh May 23 '12 at 0:38
Oy. Very tough question. Both Minhagim are very adamantly held positions, and they are mutually exclusive. CYLOR! – Seth J May 23 '12 at 2:09
@SethJ They don't have to be mutually exclusive, if you put on tefillin with no bracha and a tnai. – Double AA♦ May 23 '12 at 15:15
@DoubleAA, those are sort of quirky Halachically wishy-washy solutions to a very complex problem. But on paper, the two positions are mutually exclusive. You're only wearing Tefillin on condition that it's what you're supposed to do? That's like saying I'm only eating this cheeseburger on condition that the meat is soy. – Seth J May 23 '12 at 15:26
@SethJ I agree it is complex, and clearly most people stick to their respective minhagim lechumra and lekula, but I disagree with your analogy to cheeseburgers: that is a lav while here it is an asei where mitzvot tzrichot kavana is a very relevant factor. What I described is an opinion that has been held by various rishonim and achronim, and I think deserves to be brought to the table. – Double AA♦ May 23 '12 at 16:11
show 9 more comments

3 Answers

up vote 4 down vote

Regarding Israel, the (virtually) universal minhag is not to put on tefillin here. Some people may put on privately at home, but no one wears in shul. If you are living here, you should adopt this minhag; if you are visiting, you should adopt it at least in public. Assuming you are keeping two days of yom tov, then on the 8th day of yom tov you will say the yom tov davening and not wear tefillin.

share|improve this answer
Mike, Welcome to mi.yodeya, and thanks very much for bringing your Israeli knowledge to the Launch Party. – Isaac Moses Mar 3 '10 at 15:19
"If you are living here, you should adopt this minhag" -- you mean in public? Or one should change his minhag even in private if he moves to Israel? – Curiouser May 23 '12 at 1:47
up vote 1 down vote

There are minyonim where tefillin is worn in public on chol hamoed in Eretz Yisroel, e.g. minyan affiliated with Machon Moreshes Ashkenaz. There are also significant elements who. though they may not wear them publically, do put them on in private, including gedolei Yisroel.

There is really no single, unitary 'minhag Eretz Yisroel' in general, by the way. Sepharadim in Eretz Yisroel don't act the same as GR"A followers, who don't act the same as Hassidim, and on and on....

share|improve this answer
Nevertheless at least with respect to tefillin-wearing on C.H., I believe Mike is correct. When I was sojourning in Jerusalem one Sukkoth, I was told to wear tefillin in my apartment, since the "minhag Yerushalayim" is not to wear. – Barry Mar 17 '10 at 16:08
1  
It was Reb Moshe Feinstein who said in Eretz Yisroel the Minhag is not to and hence only to wear them in Private. – SimchasTorah Apr 2 '10 at 4:33
up vote 0 down vote

Tefillin is worn in public in Eretz Yisroel on chol hamoed. For example, the Erlauer Rebbe does so in his beis midrash, minyan of Machon Moreshes Ashkenaz does so, and I think others as well.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.