The Dangling Shel-Rosh

The Talmud teaches that one who allows his tefillin to dangle by hanging them on a hook or nail invites misfortune upon himself.[1] According to most authorities, this refers to hanging tefillin by the retzuot, thereby causing the batim to dangle,[2] as well as to hanging tefillin by the batim, thereby causing the retzuot to dangle.[3] Others extend this teaching to include one who allows the bayit of the shel rosh to dangle in the air as he puts it on.[4] As such, one should hold the bayit of the shel rosh when putting it on rather than by holding the shel rosh by the retzuot when putting it on, thereby allowing the bayit to dangle in the air.[5] When wrapping away one’s tefillin one should be sure to wrap the retzuot around the bayit (while holding the bayit in place) and not wrap the bayit around the retzuot.[6]

Nevertheless, one who, for whatever reason, feels a need to place the shel rosh upon one’s head in the “dangling manner” is completely permitted to do so.[7] There is no problem with allowing retzuot to dangle at any time though one should make an effort not to allow them to touch the floor.[8] One is permitted to hang tefillin on a hook or nail when they are stored in their case[9] though it is always best to store them on a shelf or other flat surface.[10] Holy books have the same rules as tefillin for these purposes.[11] A Torah, however, should never be placed in a hanging manner no matter how it is packaged or stored.[12]

In a similar manner, many authorities rule that an Aron Kodesh must always be fastened to the ground and may not be mounted onto a wall. Others permit mounting an Aron Kodesh to the wall as long as it is securely in place and cannot be moved in any way.[13] It is permitted to have a portable Aron Kodesh on wheels  or to place a small Aron Kodesh on a table as is done in a shiva house and the like.

[1] Berachot 24a.

[2] Rashi; Mishna Berura 40:2

[3] Mishna Berura 40:2

[4] Magen Avraham 40:1.

[5] Kaf Hachaim 40:1

[6] Magen Avraham 28:4.

[7] Taz 40:1; Mishna Berura 40:2.

[8] Machatzit Hashekel 44:5.

[9] OC 40:1.

[10] Mishna Berura 40:2.

[11] Mishna Berura 40:3.

[12] Mishna Berura 40:3.

[13] Tehilla L’david 1; Minchat Yitzchak 10:3; Yeshuot Moshe 1:28, 2:100.