PHYLACTERY (4 vXaKTipwv)  , a Greek word meaning " guard " (sc. against misfortune), i.e. an amulet . It is applied in the New Testament to the tefillin or " prayer-thongs " worn by orthodox Jews daily at morning-prayer (whether at home or in the synagogue) . The title employed in Hebrew, tefillin, seems really to be derived from an Aramaic term meaning " attachments," " ornaments "; it corresponds to the Biblical Hebrew word rendered " frontlets " (totafOth) . The tefillin or phylacteries are worn, one on the left arm (the " hand-tefilla "), and the other on the head (the " head-tefilla ") . In each case the leather thongs support a small satchel which is fastened to the arm and the forehead respectively, and contains certain passages of the Law written (in Hebrew) on parchment, viz . Exod. xiii . I- to amd II-16; Deut. vi . 4-9 and xi . 13-21 . The custom of wearing phylacteries seems to have been derived in the first instance from the Pharisees . By the Sadducees and the generality of the people in the time of Christ it seems not to have been practised . Later it became—not without protest—one of the badges of orthodox Judaism .

It is significant that the custom is entirely unknown to the Samaritan community . The phylacteries, together with the " fringe " (tsits£th) and

door-post symbol (mezuza)—which latter consists of a piece of parchment, containing the Hebrew text of Deut. vi . 4-9 and xi . 13-21 enclosed in a glass or metal tube, and fixed upon the right hand post of the door of each dwelling-room in a house—form the three sets of visible signs by which the Israelite is constantly reminded of his duty to God (cf . Num. xv . 39-40; Deut. vi . 9; xi . 20) . The " fringe " (or " tassels ") was originally attached to the common outer garment—a large square wrap—the loose end of which hung over the left shoulder . This garment with tassels is mentioned in the New Testament (cf . Matt. ix . 2o; xiv .

36;

xxiii . 5 and parallels) . Among modern Jews it has survived in two forms: (I) the fringed praying shawl called talith worn by every male orthodox Jew at the synagogue morning service; and (2) an under-garment, shaped like a chest-protector,one part covering the chest, the other the back, which is worn continuously by male orthodox Jews . It is called Arba Kanfotla (i.e . " Four Corners," Deut. xxii . 12) or " little Talith," and is, of course, " fringed." Both phylactery and mezuza were supposed to keep off hurtful demons (Targ. on Cant. viii . 3) . See Surenhusius, Mischna, i . 9 seq.; and Bodenschatz, Kirch . Verf. d. heutigen Juden, iv . 9 seq . (W .

R . S.; G . H .