6028 – The True Flavor of Rabbeinu Tam? -
Q. Kvod Horav.I accidentally made a Bracha on Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin thinking they were Rashi’s tefillin. If I concluded davening in my Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin, should I make another Bracha on my Rashi’s?
In addition, if I davened Shacharis with my Rabbeinu Tam Tefilin closer to chatzos, is there an inyan to wait with my Rashi’s tefillin to daven mincha Shmonei Esrei with them, given that I only said Shema with them?
A. There are various opinions about what is to be done in such a case. The accepted opinion is that if he remembers immediately after he put on the Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin without having made any interruption, he should put on the Rashi tefillin right away without making a new Bracha.
However, if he interrupted, even by saying words of davening, then he should take off the Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin and put on the Rashi Tefillin with a Bracha. Nonetheless, since there is a difference of opinion among poskim, it is recommended that in order to avoid this questionable situation one should make a definite interruption, such as going to the bathroom; after doing so, all poskim agree that he can then make a Bracaha on the Rashi Tefillin.
It is recommended that after davening one should put back on the Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin and recite the customary prayers if he has not done so yet.
If one has already said shema etc. there is no need to put back on the Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin, however, it is recommended for various reasons.
If one davened Shemone Esrai already, but didn’t daven Mincha yet, it is recommended – but not required – to daven Mincha in them.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a
Answered by: Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Published: August 7, 2026