Mezuzah, tefillin, tzitzit and kippah – Jewish mitzvot explained
Some commandments are carried out with physical objects that accompany a Jew every day: on the doorpost, on the arm and head, on the corners of a garment. Each guide gives the source, the practice and the main differences in custom.
- Mezuzah מְזוּזָה
A mezuzah is a parchment with the Shema fixed to the doorpost: its Torah source, what is written inside, where and how to affix it, the blessing and checking it.
- Tefillin תְּפִלִּין
Tefillin are two black leather boxes with Torah passages worn on the arm and head during weekday morning prayer: source, order, blessing and customs.
- Kippah (yarmulke) כִּפָּה
Why Jewish men wear a kippah (yarmulke): the Talmudic source, whether it is a commandment, when it is worn, and what the different styles mean.
- Tzitzit צִיצִית
Tzitzit are the knotted fringes on a four-cornered garment: the Torah source, the tallit and tallit katan, the knots, tekhelet, and Sephardi and Ashkenazi customs.
For learning and general information only. Customs differ between communities; for practical halachic questions ask your rabbi.