Tefillin (
Askhenazic: ;
Israeli Hebrew: , ) also called
phylacteries ( from Ancient Greek φυλακτήριον
phylacterion, form of
phylássein, φυλάσσειν meaning "to guard, protect") are a set of small black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the
Torah, which are worn by observant Jews during weekday morning prayers. Although "tefillin" is technically the plural form (the singular being "tefillah"), it is loosely used as a singular as well. The arm-tefillin, or
shel yad, is placed on the upper arm, and the strap wrapped around the arm/hand, hand and fingers; while the head-tefillin, or
shel rosh, is placed above the
forehead. The
Torah commands that they should be worn to serve as a "sign" and "remembrance" that God brought the
children of Israel out of
Egypt.