PHYLACTERIES (Greek: ΦΙΛΑΚΤΗΡΙΑ « Smultei »). - Strips of parchment on which passages of the Mosaic Law are written. This custom, attested among the Jews not only by the Gospel (Mt. 23:5) but also by Flavius Josephus (Antiq. Jud., IV, 21-23) and by ancient Christian writers, is connected to a false interpretation of the warm recommendation in Ex. 13:9, 16 and Deut. 6:8; 11:18, to remember and constantly observe the law of God.

As a result of a servile exegesis, the obligation was introduced (perhaps as early as the time of Ezra, or shortly thereafter) of a prayer arm-piece, formed from the "divine words" (Deut. 6:4-9; 11:13-21; Num. 15:37-41), transcribed onto pieces of parchment, enclosed in two leather capsules, which, at the time of prayer, were tied to the left arm and to the head, in such a way that the capsule hung between the eyes. In the Mižnāh they are called itphilīlu ("prayers") and precise norms are given concerning them. They were not to be worn by women, nor by slaves, nor by children. Connected to this use is that of the mižnāh.

Angelo Pena

@incollection{ec5_filatterie_gr_philakteria_smul, author = {Penna, Angelo}, title = {Filatterie (Gr. ΦΙΛΑΚΤΉΡΙΑ « Smultei »)}, booktitle = {Enciclopedia Cattolica}, volume = {V}, pages = {1292}, note = {Cited by column}, publisher = {Ente per l’Enciclopedia Cattolica e per il Libro Cattolico}, address = {Città del Vaticano}, year = {1950}, url = {https://azioneromana.com/article/filatterie-gr-philakteria-smultei} }

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Phylacteries

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