The Tefillin Boxes, Knots, and Straps vol.1 no.4

1. It is absolutely necesary that the tefillin (both the base and the box itself) be a perfect square. Therefore the four respective sides must be reasonably equal to each other all along the base and height of the tefillin box. It is commonly accepted that a margin of error up to 2 mm. may still be regarded as a perfect square. If the corners of the box are chipped or slightly rounded they may not be considered square. The stitches on the tefillin box must also form a perfect square. In addition to all of the sides being equal, the stitches must also form a reasonably straight line. If any part of the stitches are ripped they are not regarded as a square.
2. All parts of the tefillin and tefillin straps ( not including the undersides of the tefillin or straps ) must be dyed black. The paint used must be made with kosher ingredients, and not be the kind that forms a film and can be peeled off when dry. The tefillin should preferably be dyed as black as a raven.
3. The straps of the tefillin must have a minimal width of 9 mm. Great care should be given to the part of the strap used to tie the tefillin box to the arm. This area is often torn and contracted and does not meet the proper width requirement.
4. The position for the knot of the head tefillin is on the center of the back of the head, under the slant of the skull. One must be careful to place the entire knot where the hair grows. It's best that the main part of the knot should be placed in the crevice between the skull and the neck. The position for the yud - shaped knot of the hand tefillin, is: touching the tefillin box, facing the heart. The knot should touch the tefillin box even while the tefillin are in their bag.
5. The portion of the straps of the head tefillin encircling the head, and of the hand tefillin encircling the upper arm, must have their black side facing outwards. It is appropriate for the remainder of the straps to also face outward.

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