Guide to Buying Tefillin. How to Purchase Tefillin

(Consult your Rabbi. This should not substitute your rabbi's advice.)
Many Jewish men have their first experience with tefillin at the time of their Bar Mitzvah and continue to wear these articles every morning during the prayer services. Tefillin are black boxes containing Bible verses. The boxes have black straps that are tied to the arms and the head. There are many complex laws governing the ritual of tefillin, and purchasing tefillin requires a serious commitment to finding the most suitable, kosher item available.

Step 1
Buy your tefillin only from merchants you are sure are selling a kosher item. Your tefillin should have rabbinical approval.

Step 2
Pay for quality. When it comes to tefillin, you really do get what you pay for, and there are many benefits to purchasing the best quality tefillin you can afford.

Step 3
Make sure each set is complete. Count the number of boxes to ensure you are getting a full set of tefillin.

Step 4
Inspect the inside of the box before buying. You can remove the small parchment scrolls from within the tefillin boxes. First of all, ensure the scrolls are made of parchment and not regular paper.

Step 5
Check that the letters on the parchment are written in black ink. Make sure every letter is clear and distinct.

Step 6
Purchase a velvet bag to store your tefillin once it has passed inspection.

Step 7
Take any questions you have about a pair of tefillin you purchase to a rabbi if it is concerning the boxes or the straps and to a Jewish scribe if you have an issue with the writing on the parchment