Dear Rabbi,
Sadly, I clumsily dropped my tefillin on the floor the other day. I heard that people fast when this occurs. Can you enlighten me about the source of the custom and what I should do practically ?
Indeed, you are correct that there is a custom to fast when one drops their tefillin on the floor. This is brought in the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim, 45:2) as follows: “The world is accustomed to fast when one’s tefillin fall from their hand onto the ground without their cover.”
Although the Shulchan Aruch doesn’t explicitly state a reason, it is explained that it is to rectify the negative spiritual damage of deprecating such a sacred artifact.[1]
This is understood from the Talmud’s (Suka 41b) statement: “A man should not hold his tefillin in his hand or a Scroll of the Law in his bosom while reciting his prayers.” The reason—says Rashi—is “so they do not fall from his hand and be disgraced.” What is derived from this is the tremendous humiliation that there is in one’s tefillin falling to the ground.
Being that this is only a custom however—as expressed in the Shulchan Aruch—there are certain leniencies that apply.
In responsa literature it is explained, that although generally it is suggested that one fast, if the individual is weak, he may absolve himself of the fast by giving the equivalent of three meals worth of food to charity.[2]
In our times, when we are all considered weak, and fasting is detrimental to one’s service of G-d rather than a benefit, it is suggested that everyone give charity rather than fast.[3]
[1] Responsa, Chaim Sha’al 1:12.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Tanya, Iggeret HaTshuvah, Ch. 3, Shut Divrei Ohr 1:10.
