- All the Questions
Converting a Rashi Shel Rosh to Rabbeinu Tam
Question
I have two pairs of Rashi tefillin.
Is it permissible to take one of the Shel Rosh of one of the pairs and convert it from a Rashi to a Rabbeinu Tam Shel Rosh.
I will then have a pair of Rashi tefillin and a pair of Rabbeinu Tam tefillin.
I don’t plan to put on Rabbeinu Tam everyday, but I may on the odd occasion put them on during Torah study in private at home.
Please let me know if it is permitted by Halacha, and if not the reason.
Thanks
Answer
Shalom,
Thank you for your question. The changing of tefillin from Rashi to Rabbainu Tam is not allowed – see the Mishna Brurah (34, MB(20)). The reason for this is that it is forbidden to lower the status of a religious article. As the tefillin of Rabainu Tam are on a lower level of holiness than those of Rashi, taking the Tefillin, or even the straps (or even the protective boxes used to store the tefillin in) and now using them for a lower level of mitzvah is forbidden.
Interestingly there is some debate in the Kabbalistic sources as to whether the Rashi or Rabainu Tam tefillin are more holy. Because of this debate we in practice do not even change Rabainu Tam tefillin to Rashi (which we might have thought was raising them up to a higher level and permitted). (As the Mishna Brurah ibid points out).
I hope this is of some help -
Blessings.

moshes 515 prayers
Rabbi David Sperling | Kislev 25, 5782
Is a ger with a Levi father a Levi?
Rabbi Gideon Weitzman | Elul 26, 5783

Suggested order of in depth Torah study
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 18, 5783

When and How We Die?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 24, 5783

Rabbi David Sperling

Hearing the megillah in Israel
Adar II 7, 5771

1st yartziet during nissan
Adar II 9, 5771

Wallet on Shabbat
Adar II 24, 5771

Attitude Towards Other Nations
Iyyar 7, 5771

Food, medications and Yom Kippur
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Av 13, 5780

Eating in Shiurim
Rabbi David Sperling | Tishrei 7, 5775

On which day may one start wishing "Shabbat Shalom"?
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 9, 5780

Mezzuzah for Non Jew
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5773

Tefillos Rosh Hashanah
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tishrei 3, 5784

fast on yom kipper
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tishrei 9, 5784

chelev oblation
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 25, 5783
