By J.J. Rosenfeld
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 555) famously rules that Tefillin are not worn during the morning service (Shacharit) on Tisha B’Av.
The reason is that Tefillin are considered an “ornament” and a sign of our covenant and connection with Hashem, whereas Tisha B’Av is a day of mourning.
Mourners refrain on that morning from things that are regarded as special adornments or expressions of joy.
Accordingly, the widespread custom is:
Shacharit:
- No Tefillin are worn.
Minchah:
- Tefillin are put on (with the Beracha or Berachot)
Chassidim and Kabbalists
Some kabbalistic sources regard Tefillin as possessing extraordinary holiness and emphasize their profound spiritual significance.
For this reason, there are individual groups or people who privately put on Tefillin at home in the morning, even though they do not wear them publicly in the synagogue.
The idea is generally as follows:
The outward observance of mourning is maintained, yet one does not wish to forgo entirely the kabbalistic spiritual influence of Tefillin.
This is not simply a contradiction but rather a balance between two different levels:
The public halachic custom:
- No Tefillin are worn during Shacharit on Tisha B’Av.
A personal kabbalistic practice:
- Some see an inner spiritual reason to wear them privately.
It is important to note, however, that not all Kabbalists or Chassidim follow this practice. It is generally associated with individuals who have a particularly deep attachment to the mitzvah of Tefillin.
Many of the great kabbalistic authorities likewise accepted the standard custom of wearing Tefillin only at Minchah.
This reflects a principle often found in Judaism:
- A person may maintain a private kabbalistic practice, provided it does not conflict with a clear public halachic norm or with the accepted custom of the community.
The Breslov Custom
According to the Breslov custom, Tefillin are put on on the morning of Tisha B’Av—but not publicly in the synagogue. Instead, they are worn privately at home before Shacharit.
Afterward, one goes to the synagogue to join the congregation for the morning minyan.
This custom is traditionally attributed to Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, of blessed memory.
The underlying idea is that, although the Shulchan Aruch establishes the general practice of not wearing Tefillin on the morning of Tisha B’Av, Rebbe Nachman apparently saw a unique spiritual significance in not omitting the holiness of Tefillin altogether.
From a kabbalistic perspective in particular, Tefillin are associated with exceptionally elevated spiritual effects.
