Rosh Chodesh - Tefillin Removal

Q. Why do we remove our tefillin on Rosh Chodesh before Musaf?

A. There are a number of explanations for this custom:

Shulchan Aruch (OC 25:13) writes that it is customary to remove our tefillin before davening Musaf on Rosh Chodesh. The Rema adds that this is only necessary in places where the Kedusha of Musaf begins with the phrase, “Keser yitnu lecha” (A crown will be given to You [Hakodosh Boruch Hu]). (This is the text of Kedusha known as Nusach Sefarad. The Mishnah Berurah (25:61) explains that it is inappropriate to wear tefillin, which is our crown, while referring to the crown of Hashem. However, the Rema concludes that even in places where they do not recite “Keser” (this is known as the Minhag Ashkenaz), it is customary to remove the tefillin before Musaf, though the Rema does not explain why.

The Aruch Hashulchan (25:28) writes that many gedolim objected to the latter statement of the Rema. Why should one not wear tefillin for Musaf if Keser is not said. Nonetheless, the Aruch Hashulchan maintains that this custom was universally accepted on the basis of kabbilistic considerations, and it should not be challenged.

The Levush (423:4) offers another explanation. We remove tefillin before Musaf, because tefillin is referred to in Chumash Shemos (13:9.88) as an “os” (sign) and Yom Tov is referred to as an “os.” It is inappropriate to wear tefillin on Yom Tov since this detracts from the “os” of Yom Tov. Although Rosh Chodesh does not have the same sanctity as Yom Tov, and is not referred to as an “os,” the korbanos of Rosh Chodesh are listed together with the other holidays. Therefore, before Musaf, in which we will mention the korbanos brought on Rosh Chodesh, it is appropriate to remove one’s tefillin. The Levush therefore writes that one should remove tefillin before kriyas haTorah, since the kriyas haTorah for Rosh Chodesh is also about the korbanos of the day. The Magen Avrohom (423:6), however, rejects the opinion that tefillin should be removed before kriyas haTorah. He writes that since removing tefillin is a chumra, we do not remove tefillin for kriyas haTorah, but only for Musaf. 

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.