Vegan Tefilin.

Question:

Highly Esteemed Rabbonim of The Din Online,

דברים כח "י

וְרָאוּ֙ כׇּל־עַמֵּ֣י הָאָ֔רֶץ כִּ֛י שֵׁ֥ם ד' נִקְרָ֣א עָלֶ֑יךָ וְיָֽרְא֖וּ מִמֶּֽךָּ׃

"And will see all the people - peoples of the Land / of the World, that The Name of A Shem is on You... and would start sensing awe and trepidation"

Tefilin - Putting on Tefilin is a very important covenant in Jewish tradition.
The Jewish Wife is the Institution of making Jewish male a continuing succession in Beit Yakov. But the second most important sign of Jewish identity, after Jewish Wife, is, probably, Tefilin!

It must be fulfilled in the best possible way!
...If to consider, that the word הארץ
does mean "the whole World", then how is it possible to fulfill it, if the components of Tefilin are made from the cow skin?..
...If to consider, that the word הארץ does mean only Eretz Israel - Medinat Israel: again, the big complication and dichotomy does arise. Israel, is probably the biggest vegan country in the world (in percentage of the population). And number two vegetarian county in the world after India! Very very many people in Israel would be perceiving Tefilin made from animal material with mental worries and reservations...

In India and in China, as well as in the Indian and Chinese diaspora around the world, the plant based, vegan tradition is very present in all spheres of life. Including the dietary tradition.
If Tefilin is being made from animal skin... then the one billion plus people in India and in many other countries would not be able to see and perceive with reverence Tefilin - the major G.d given sign of The Jewish Identity.

In Israel, California, many other parts of the world the vegan way of living is asserting itself more and more... Fortunately, it does take place!

Is it possible to start manufacturing Tefilin from vegan materials?

Thank You very much for reading and considering my question.

Answer:

Hello,

Tefillin may only be made from the hides of a animal that is a kosher specie. This we know as part of the oral law, which has be given to us from Moses, and handed down throughout the generations. It is also written in Tractate Shabbos 108a, and Orach chaim 32-37. Therefor as far as Jewish law is concerned we can not make kosher tefillin for vegetables. As a side point the meaning of the verse, that "The nations of the world will see that the name of Hashem is upon and will fear you". This is referring to when the nations will see that we stick to the word of Hashem ,and that we don't divert from it. When we act in a way that His word remains supreme, the nations will respect that. It shows that we are loyal to Hashem, and run our lives according to His directives. Not necessarily what will curry favor in the eyes of the nations. This shows the nations that we service the supreme ruler, not public opinion, and they will respect us for keeping to our tradition.

Best wishes

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