Must the blackening of Tefillin straps be done by a Jew and lishmah? What is the status if done by a non-Jew?
Synopsis
The Mechaber says it is ideal for a Jew to blacken the straps lishmah but implies b'dieved it is valid even if done by a non-Jew. The Rema disputes this: since blackness is Halacha l'Moshe miSinai, it must be done lishmah, and a non-Jew cannot do it lishmah — so the straps are invalid even b'dieved if blackened by a non-Jew.
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 Tefillin straps (retzuot) be black, and on which side?
3 opinions across 3 eras
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
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
How should the tefillin straps be wrapped when storing tefillin?
What Invalidates Tefillin
What is the required structure of open and closed passages (parshiyot petuchot and setumot) in tefillin, and what is the status of tefillin where all four passages are made open?
Writing Tefillin
From what material must the tefillin housing (batim) be made, and must it be processed lishmah?
Writing Tefillin
What knot shape is required for the head-tefillin and arm-tefillin straps, and in what order must they be made?
Writing Tefillin
May components (batim, straps, parashiyot) from a Rashi tefillin set be exchanged with components from a Rabbeinu Tam set after they have been worn?
Tefillin of Rabbeinu Tam
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.