In last week’s edition of Hamaor, we discussed at what part of Davening Tefillin can be removed on a regular weekday. In this edition we discuss the removing of Tefillin on Rosh Chodesh.
Why Don’t we wear Tefillin for Musaf?
The Shulchan Aruch writes that on Rosh Chodesh, the Tefillin are removed before Musaf.
Some Poskim write that this is because Rosh Chodesh is like a Yomtov when Tefillin are not worn. We take the Tefillin off before Musaf in which we mention the Pesukim of the Korban of Rosh Chodesh.
According to the Levush, the Tefillin are removed before Krias Hatorah, which is the practice on Chol Hamoed for those who wear Tefillin on Chol Hamoed. The reason is because in Krias Hatorah we the Pesukim of the Korban of Rosh Chodesh. The Acharonim write that we do not follow this opinion of the Levush.
The Ram”o writes that technically Tefillin only need to be removed for Musaf by those who say the Kedusha of Kesser. The reason is because when we refer to Hashem being presented a crown, it is not appropriate for us to be wearing the “crown” of Tefillin. Nonetheless, the Ram”o writes that it is the Minhag in all places to remove the Tefillin before Musaf.
However, the Ta”z writes that since we (referring to Nusach Ashkenaz) do not say the Kedusha of Keser, the Tefillin are worn during Musaf. According to the reason presented above that Rosh Chodesh is like a Yomtov, it would make no difference which Nusach of Kedusha one says. Another Nafka Minah would be for one who is not Davening with a Minyan, where Kedusha is not recited.
Before or After the Half-Kaddish?
The question is whether they are removed before the half Kaddish prior to Musaf or after the half Kaddish.
In last week’s edition, we quoted the ruling of the Ram”o that according to Kabbalah, one should not remove their Tefillin until one has recited (heard) 3 Kedushos and 4 Kaddeishim while wearing Tefillin. The Acharonim write that there is a mistake in the Ram”o which should read, that one removes their Tefillin after 3 Kadeishim and 4 Kedushos.
The 4 Kedushos are Barchu, the Kedusha in the blessings before Shema, the Kedusha in the Amidah and the Kedusha of Uva Letzion. The 3 Kadeishim would be the half Kaddish before Barchu, the half Kaddish after the repetition of the Amidah and the Kaddish Shalem after Uva Letzion. Accordingly, the Tefillin are removed after the Kaddish Shalem recited after Uva Letzion.
The practice of the Ariza”l on Rosh Chodesh was to only remove the Tefillin after the Kaddish recited after returning the Torah to the Aron Kodesh i.e. after the half Kaddish before Musaf. This custom is brought in Kabbalistic sources.
In contrast, the Alter Rebbe writes in his Siddur, that on Rosh Chodesh the Tefillin should be removed before the Kaddish is recited. This is the Chabad custom. The reason for this is because the half Kaddish is connected to the Musaf prayer and one should not interrupt between the Kaddish and Musaf.
Even though on a regular day the three Kaddeishim include the Kaddish after Uva Letzion, Rosh Chodesh is different. This is because according to the Alter Rebbe’s Siddur, on Rosh Chodesh, Hallel is followed by Shir Shel Yom and Barchi Nafshi which is followed by Kaddish Yasom. Therefore, the 3 Kaddeishim will be completed at this point. After the 4th Kedusha of Uva Letzion, the Tefillin can be removed without having to hear any further Kaddish.
According to the Nuschaos where Shir Shel Yom is recited at the end of Davening, the Kaddish before Musaf would be the third Kaddish and the Tefillin should only be removed after the Kaddish. Those who remove the Tefillin after Kaddish are not worried about an interruption between Kaddish and Musaf, as they view the Kaddish as going on Uva Letzion, rather than an introduction to Musaf.
In the Siddur of Rabbi Yaakov Emden, the Shir Shel Yom and Kaddish Yasom are recited after Hallel on Rosh Chodesh – like the Alter Rebbe. Nonetheless, he writes that the Tefillin are removed after the Kaddish before Musaf.
During Kedusha of Kesser
If one is still wearing Tefillin when the Tzibbur says the Kedusha of Kesser, they should move their Tefillin Shel Rosh to the side, which is considered as though they are not being worn. Others just cover their Tefillin Shel Rosh.
Wearing Tefillin again After Musaf
After Musaf, there are different opinions as to whether one may wear Tefillin again. This would be relevant for those who have the practice of wearing Tefillin all day or one who puts Tefillin back on for a Bris. (One who has not yet put on Tefillin must certainly do so even after Musaf).
If the reason for not wearing Tefillin during Musaf is only because we say Kesser, there is no issue with wearing Tefillin after Musaf. The Chidah writes that one may wear Tefillin after Musaf. Kaf Hachaim writes that after Musaf, one should not wear Tefillin because Kabbalistically, the influence of Musaf remains on a person the rest of the day. Kaf Hachaim writes that Tefillin may be worn at Mincha. Others write that one should not wear Tefillin the rest of the day. Based on this, those who put on Tefillin of Rabbeinu Tam after Davening, should put them on before Musaf on Rosh Chodesh.
