What spacing requirements apply between words, lines, and letters in tefillin, and what space must be left at the top and bottom of the parchment?

Synopsis

The Mechaber requires space at the top equal to the roof of a lamed and at the bottom equal to an extended kaf or nun. No space required at beginning or end. The Rema adds that the custom is to leave some space at beginning and end, and specifies inter-word, inter-line, and inter-letter spacing requirements.

Early Acharonim
Lenient
Strict
Lesser cited
Major authority

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