Must Tefillin straps (retzuot) be black, and on which side?
Synopsis
It is a Halacha l'Moshe miSinai that the outside of Tefillin straps must be black. The inside may be any color except red. The Rambam requires the inside to also be black, but this is not the accepted practice.
More in Tefillin on Chol HaMoed
If two adjacent compartments of the head Tefillin are damaged (torn), are the Tefillin valid or invalid?
5 opinions across 3 eras
What defines Tefillin as 'new' vs. 'old' for purposes of the damaged-compartment rule?
3 opinions
If two non-adjacent compartments (e.g., 1st and 3rd) of the head Tefillin are damaged, are the Tefillin valid?
3 opinions
If three compartments of the head Tefillin are damaged, are the Tefillin valid?
2 opinions
If the stitching of the Tefillin is severed, when are the Tefillin invalid?
4 opinions across 3 eras
Must the leather of Tefillin straps (retzuot) come from a kosher animal and be processed (tanned) for the sake of the mitzvah?
3 opinions
Must the blackening of Tefillin straps be done by a Jew and lishmah? What is the status if done by a non-Jew?
4 opinions
If a Tefillin strap is severed, may one repair it by stitching, and does it depend on where along the strap the break occurs?
7 opinions across 3 eras
Related from other topics
If one touched the head tefillin first before putting on the arm tefillin, must he set it aside?
When to Put On Tefillin
On which hand does a left-handed person (ittir) wear tefillin?
How to Put On Tefillin
Must the black side of the tefillin straps (retzuot) face outward, and what is the consequence if they become reversed?
How to Put On Tefillin
Which tefillin should be removed first when taking off tefillin?
What Invalidates Tefillin
How should the tefillin straps be wrapped when storing tefillin?
What Invalidates Tefillin
On which side of the klaf (parchment) must tefillin be written, and what are the requirements for the type of parchment?
Writing Tefillin
Discussion
Discussion coming soon.
The Daily Law
One question. Every opinion. Every morning.
A new halakhic question and the full spectrum of rabbinic thought, delivered daily.