The Rebbe’s ‘Tikun’ For Missing Rabeinu Tam’s Teffilin

Question: I, Baruch Hashem, have the zechus to serve as a Mashpia in a Lubavitch Mesivta. I try to sincerely listen to each bachur in my class and guide them in their emotional and spiritual growth. Recently, a bachur confided in me that he missed putting on Rabbeinu Tam’s Tefillin one time, and would like a “Tikkun” (a spiritual remedy). A Tikkun is something that only a Tzaddik can give. Did the Rebbe ever write about this?

Answer: Firstly, Thank you for the amazing work that you are doing. In today’s times, a proper Mashpia is literally the difference between the success and failure of a bachur through his Yeshiva years.

In response to your actual question, I will first clarify what the Rebbe wrote to bachurim that missed a day of Rashi’s Tefillin, and then what the Rebbe wrote about missing putting on Tefillin of Rabbeinu Tam.

Regarding missing Tefillin of Rashi:

1 – “In response to what you write, about the episode of (missing)Tefillin: You should become “baki- proficient”” in the laws of Tefillin that are necessary to know (not those that pertain to being a sofer-scribe) and from now on, you should also put on Rabbeinu Tam’s Tefillin.” (Igros volume 23 page 418 #9002).

2 – “In response to your question (about missing a day of Tefillin): You should become fluent in: 1) The laws of Tefillin 2) Certain Mamarim that speak about Tefillin. They can be found in Lukkutei Torah, The Siddur (with Chassidus) and Imrei Binah ” (Igros volume 25 page 24 # 9047)

3 – In another letter (Ibid page 271 # 9259) the Rebbe repeats the above-mentioned directive and adds the following line: “It is self-understood that this is all in addition to complete regret of the past and a firm resolution to be careful about this Mitzvah in the future”.

In regards to Tefillin of Rabbeinu Tam, some historical background is needed: For many years, the chabad minhag was that at Bar-Mitzvah a bachur would put on only Tefillin of Rashi. When he would be near his 18th birthday, he would ask the Rebbe for permission to begin wearing the Tefillin of Rabbeinu Tam. Only on Purim 5736, in order to eradicate the darkness of exile, did the Rebbe say that it is time for all boys to put on Rabbeinu Tam from the time that they begin putting on Tefillin of Rash (two months before Bar Mitzvah). It should also be pointed out that already in 5710 (Likkutei Sichos vol 2 page 507 footnote 39) that the Rebbe questioned the custom not to put on Rabbeinu Tam’s Tefillin right away.

To Bachurim that missed putting on Rabbeinu Tam, the Rebbe wrote:

“In response to your question (in regards to a tikkun for not putting on Tefillin of Rabbeinu Tam): Learn the laws of Tefillin until you become fluent in the laws which are needed to know. Being that you wrote that it happened twice, you should add – in addition to the halachos – the learning of the Mitzvah of Tefillin (in derech Mitzvosecha of the Tzemach Tzedek) and Shaar Tefillin (in the “Siddur with Da”ch”).” (Igros volume 23 page 8 #8686).