Calculating the Correct Date for Hanachas Tefillin

 

Question:

My son will become a Bar Mitzvah in Cheshvan iyh. So Chol Hamoed Sukkos will be in the middle of his two months prior. I’ve seen some sources where it says that that the Rebbe advised to begin a week earlier to make up for that time. And other sources (Chabad sources obviously) that I’ve looked at didn’t mention that at all. I’ve also heard some Rabbonim say that that letter from the Rebbe was for a particular person/situation and not necessarily a Horaah lerabim. Would you be able to advise me on what proper conduct is here? Many thanks.

 

Answer:

Notwithstanding the discussion you mentioned, in practice the Minhag is, that it is done earlier to make up for the days when Tefillin is not worn.

The general “Cheshbon” is as follows:

• The two months always include the day of the Bar Mitzvah – e.g., Bar Mitzvah on 9 Elul, Tefillin starts on 9 Tammuz.
• Where there is a Shabbos it’s not Noegah to the Cheshbon.
• Where there is a Yom Tov (including Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) and Chol Hamoed, it’s reduced from the Cheshbon (unless it falls on Shabbos), so that the day of Hanochas Tefillin is earlier than 2 months from the Bar Mitzvah.
• If the final date falls on Shabbos, the day for Hanochas Tefillin is pushed off to Sunday.

If you send us the Bar Mitzvah date, we can confirm with you when the Hanochas Tefillin should take place.

 

 

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