Handmade Tefilllin Boxes by the Tzaddik Netanel Sofer

Handmade Tefilllin Boxes by the Tzaddik Netanel Sofer

"In the holy city of Jerusalem, there is a wondrous craftsman, and I have seen his wonderful work ..." (Letter from the 'Minchat Elazar' of Munkacs)

Pair of tefillin boxes (sheidelach), for the head and for the arm, handmade in sanctity and purity by Kabbalist Rabbi Netanel Sofer-Tefillinsky of Jerusalem. It was apparently used by one of the rabbinic leaders of the generation.

Rabbi Netanel would make the tefillin boxes himself, just as he prepared the tefillin himself. They, too, were prepared in sanctity and purity with secret unifications [ייחודים נעלמים], as they were items used for a mitzvah. Just as Rabbi Chiya would sow flax, from which he would weave nets to be used for hunting deer, whose hides he would use for Torah scrolls, not sufficing with purchasing ready-made parchment, but doing the entire process himself - because for completeness, the entire process must be conducted in sanctity and purity.

Just as Rabbi Netanel prepared the ink and the tefillin using secret methods, the tefillin boxes were also made using an unknown combination of polymers, parchment and cardboard, forming beautiful boxes that have endured through generations without showing their many years.

Rabbi Netanel was sure that the tefillin prepared in such great sanctity would be preserved though generations, to the point that he took the responsibility of stating that these tefillin never need to be checked! He would attach to the inner side of the tefillin that he prepared something of a guarantee certificate, along with lengthy and detailed instructions for future generations, in case anyone would want to open the tefillin or proofread them, despite, as mentioned, his taking the responsibility of saying that this would not be necessary. These papers also bear a detailed description of the process of preparing the tefillin, a list of glorifications and stringencies with respect to the ink, the parchment, and the script. At the end of these instructions, in both boxes, for the arm and for the head, his personal stamp appears: Netanel Sofer, native of Jerusalem.

Handmade pair of tefillin boxes. Including a pair of authorizations stamped by Rabbi Netanel himself. Maximum dimensions: 8x6x6 cm. Fine condition. Minimal abrasions on the sides, tear on the leaf with the authorization in the arm tefillin.